Faith Challenges: It Ain't All Comfort

“Hi, I’m your new pastor! Don’t worry, I’m going to let you down. I’m going to disappoint you. I’m going to make a mess of things. I will not live up to your expectations.” That’s about all I can really tell you as your newest pastor. We don’t know each other and don’t really know what to expect from one another. Regardless of our intentions, my arrival in your community by definition upsets the apple cart. It implies change. Just in case you did not know, I am not a woman, as was your previous pastor. Some of you will be disappointed that I am not Latino as was one of your pastors. Some will be disappointed that I am not Anglo enough, not Native American enough, not Brazilian enough, not good-looking enough, not Southern enough, not mountain enough, not attached enough to American sports, gardening, fishing, or hunting. Some will be disappointed with my political leanings. Some with differences in how I interpret following Jesus, Scripture, or popular Christian theolog...