In the spirit of In Cognito,
Just a little reflection on the past week...
As I do reasonably regularly, I was preaching last night to my congregation.
The experience was somewhat different this week however, as I had been spending a fair bit of time reading much of the discussion on this forum.
As I have said on another thread, though I am convinced that the egalitarian position is faithful to scripture, I am growing in my conviction that God has given me the gift of teaching, and I have been encouraged by and authorised by my congregation to use that gift to serve them - it is still difficult not to feel discouraged by much that has been said here.
As I prepared to preach this week I did so with a heightened awareness that some of my brothers and sisters - many of whom are my peers, and fellow students at college - believe that in doing so I am being disobedient to the very same scriptures which I am so eager to teach others.
That is, without doubt, a painful and humbling situation to be in.
In a way I am thankful however, for it led me to an increased reliance on God in my preparation - to enquire of him, listen to him, and to humbly ask him to use my service (to whatever extent I am disobedient, in this area or others) for his purposes - which in the end was a great encouragement.
Sometimes it feels tempting to just back down - rather than be thought of as disobedient or in error, or as someone who has no regard for scripture. But I hope and pray that if I do decide to move into a different form of ministry than the one I am currently engaged in, that it will be because God has led me there through his word and not because of the discouragement of my brothers and sisters.
