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Leah Pratt | Journey to Godly

Saved at 13.

Called to ministry at 19.

BA at 25 and MDiv at 35, both in said ministry.

Lifelong Southern Baptist.

Always a woman (cue the Billy Joel).

__________________________________

At 43, I've now been "in ministry" longer than I haven't. 

I've worked as a lay person as well as on paid church staff. I've served as a missionally-minded mental health care worker in the secular world, and I've discipled and biblically counseled within the sacred. I've held parachurch jobs on a Christian camp staff as well as on the high school Bible faculty of a Christian school. I've served as a single woman in ministry, and I've served as a bivocational minister's wife. Throughout the entire lot, I have NEVER felt slighted or sidelined in ANY of my roles due to being a woman.

Amidst the hubbub surrounding the SBC Annual Meeting this year (2023), I found myself scrolling the internet, "Where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular" (originally said of Rome by Tacitus, Annals 15.44...but I find it applies). I read a host of vitriol on Twitter--as, likely, did we all. Argumentation was flying from both sides of the debate: in support of Rick Warren and his affirmation of women pastors as well as against. However, one bright glimmer in the muck and mire was a statement written by Tanya York, wife of SBTS professor Herschel York:

Same, sister. Same.

I hear and read a lot of sentiments in our day about "feeling seen"--usually when it comes to the negative: oppression, abuse, trauma, and the like. And I'm not discounting these kinds of camaraderie, as they were hard-fought and won through suffering. But this--THIS post--made me feel more "seen" than any I've personally viewed in a long while. And it was the good kind of "seen," the kind in which you can bask in the shared experience of blessing. For I, too, have never felt "benched" or "limited" in the scope of the ministry God has given me simply because I don't have the title of "pastor." And I, too, have enjoyed enormous opportunities and ministerial fruit--far beyond my imagination or hopes. It didn't take being labeled a "pastor" to seize these opportunities or to bear that fruit...quite frankly, all it took was submission to God's timing, His opening of doors, and the Holy Spirit's promptings. York then went on to say the following:

I concur. 

Over the past few years, I've heard a boatload of women vying for the position of pastor to be accepted by all as a woman's calling, just as much as it is a man's. It's almost as if having the label of "pastor" somehow lends itself to a leveled-up experience that they can't--nay, necessarily shouldn't--live without. It's as if every call to ministry and every spiritual gift of teaching or shepherding MUST eventually render one the formal title of "pastor."

In those recent years, I have been a part of discussions that have included women in ministry bemoaning their experiences serving in what they deem to be "legalistic," "patriarchal" denominations with the dreaded "toxic masculinity" in their congregational leadership. I want to declare loudly and (dare I say?) proudly that I have NEVER experienced this from the men who have served alongside me and in authority over me. As a lifelong SBCer, I have only had rewarding experiences with the pastors and other leadership around me--men who have championed my gifts and calling and men who have fostered my growth and placement into ministry. 

While I'm never going to cover ALL that needs to be said on this topic, I just want to say that I trust my denomination, and I wholeheartedly support the SBC's stance on women in ministry...as well as their insistence (alongside Scripture's!) that "while both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture" (Article VI, paragraph 1 of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000).

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It's June. Of course, that means "Pride Month." 

Seemingly, the entire world around us is leaning into the affirmation and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. One would think this affirmation comes wholly out of true care and concern for the group, but--in reality--there is often more of a capitalistic realization of business and financial gain through the display of a rainbow on company logos.

But I digress.

In recent years, we have seen more and more church denominations and/or individual congregations supporting Pride Month--and beyond that--having deemed themselves "affirming" churches. So, what is an affirming church? Most often, those who have taken a stance of affirmation also align themselves with a movement called "progressive Christianity." According to progressivechristianity.org, one of the main tenets (#3) of progressivism in Christian congregations is as quoted:

        "Seek community that is inclusive of ALL people, including but not limited to:

    • Conventional Christians and questioning skeptics,
    • Believers and agnostics,
    • Women and men,
    • Those of all sexual orientations and gender identities,
    • Those of all classes and abilities."

Their idea of "[seeking] community" is a bit more insidious that one might think, on sight. This does not mean simply befriending and loving (as one should!) those within Pride's realm but rather claiming to enjoy Christian community and regenerate fellowship within the local church body with those who embrace living out their personal expressions of LGBTQ+ in both identity and practice. As true believers know, this would be a false community at best...an embracing of sinners as saints and their sins as sanctification at worst. But alas, this is what makes an "affirming" church thus. [Please note that their statement on "Christian" community extends far beyond those with gender and sexuality issues to non-believers (skeptics and agnostics) as well. This is an oxymoron, no?]

Ultimately, statements like these define LOVE (of neighbor, a la The Greatest Commandment) as AFFIRMATION, and necessarily so...otherwise it's not truly love, in their estimation.

Throughout the Bible, though, love is seen as a covenantal, committed, and sacrificial choice to give of oneself to/for another--not at all affirming a belief or line of decision-making. 

Allow me to detail a non-Pride example of affirmation...something that came to my mind just the other day.

In Gary Thomas's bestselling book, The 5 Love Languages, one of the aforementioned "languages," per se, is "words of affirmation." In fact, that was MY top scorer when I took the test some years ago. The author's premise is that each of us "speaks a different language" when it comes to loving and being loved. He asserts that one will not FEEL as loved by another if that person does not cater to (or learn to "speak") his or her personal love language. In fact, other authors such as Willard F. Harley, Jr. go further, maintaining that there are certain things we actually NEED in order to enjoy a long-lasting and "affair-proof" marriage (from his book His Needs, Her Needs).  

Hogwash.

Personally, I really enjoy words of affirmation. Most people do. They make me feel special and wanted...but at my core, it's the sinful nature that truly craves affirmation. It's my internal pride that wants to be validated. And as far as needs go, let's be real: outside of Christ, I have NEED of nothing. Because my husband and I are both growing believers, he has convenanted to love me as a sister in Christ, as a best friend, and as a 'til-death-do-us-part, one-flesh lover. And I don't NEED for him continually to tell me about all of my good qualities for me to know that his love is true. 

This is because I do not define LOVE as AFFIRMATION.

Now...is it kind of him to do so? To affirm me with his tender words? Of course! However, these words of affirmation should be focused on qualities that are not entangled with sin, in opposition to the affirmation we see celebrated each June. 

With each day forward, we should strive to define love in the very way that God has defined it for us in Scripture. So this month, in a world of affirmation...let's love as Christ commands. And to clarify, the following points are not an exhaustive list of how to do so but merely a few ways that are standing out to me in this moment.

    1. OBEY CHRIST.

  • "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15).

    2. SHOW MERCY.
  • When Jesus gave the Greatest Commandment, He said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27). Then, in Jesus' immediately illustrating parable of the Good Samaritan, he asked the hearer, "'Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fall among the robbers?' He said, 'the one who showed him mercy.' And Jesus said to him, 'You go, and do likewise'" (Luke 10:36-37).
    3. GENTLY CALL OTHERS TO REPENTANCE.
  • "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace...correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their sense and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:22, 25-26).
    4. LIVE SACRIFICALLY. 
  • "And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (Ephesians 5:2).

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Well folks, the time has come. As some of you know, I finished seminary and transitioned from working in mental health counseling to teaching EIGHT long years ago (as of now, in 2023). With that transition, I could no longer carve out the time for blogging. NO MORE!

The return may be slow. 

My posts may be infrequent.

I could get a "wild hair" and upload multiple times per week.

Who (only the Lord!) knows?

But I'm excited to be back, and I look forward to interacting with any who choose to jump into the comments. May God be glorified in my upcoming writing...and in the community that may may ensue, if He wills.

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In my last post, I discussed God's will for our lives. His will is a very important concept to grasp as we plod onward in this 31 Days challenge to hear the "Word of God Speak." So let's delve a bit deeper, shall we?

From my teen years (when I became a believer), I was taught about God's perfect will. This seemed to be the ideal route, where best-laid plans actually led to greener pastures. I was taught that God "knew the plans He had for me...plans for welfare and not for evil, to give me a future and a hope" a la Jeremiah 29:11. The name tag slapped on those future plans was God's perfect will: a wonderfully plotted-out journey that I could be a part of if only I stayed close to Him and far from sin.
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As I begin this 31 Days challenge to have the "Word of God Speak" into our lives, I must consider the following question:
What is God's will for my life?
This question is one that has haunted many a believer. In fact, some have become paralyzed by this query…agonizing over every, little decision, overanalyzing every seeming "sign" out there as to whether or not it is pointing them in a Godward direction.
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I am going to share my heart with you today…

First off, today was a rough day. It wasn't rough in the sense that anything "bad" happened to me. It was rough because it was a full day. And it was rough because there were unexpected kinks in the schedule all day long. If I'm completely honest with myself (and with you!), it was rough because I was being selfish with my time. When I realized this, I repented and tried to walk through the rest of the day in a more unselfish manner...taking time to breathe, worshiping the Lord through song, and spending time with people who matter to me. You know, really being there in the moment with them - not wishing I was doing something else on my crazy busy schedule!
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This month, I will be linking up with The Nester to write for 31 consecutive days about the same topic: "Word of God Speak."

Since I am currently pursuing my biblical counseling certification, I have been doing a ton of studying lately! And most all of my studies here recently have had to do with the sufficiency of God's Word for the decision-making process. So...I will be putting all that study to use by blogging about what I am learning for the next 31 days!
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I'm not quite sure where to begin. I am still processing all that I learned last Thursday through Saturday, and I'm not quite certain I'm ready to share that half-digested nugget of knowledge with the world.

Last year, I attended the Influence Conference for the first time. I had no real expectations, as I had never been to a blogging conference before…let alone a Christian women's blogging conference. 

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Having recently reentered seminary, I have found myself reordering my life around a new set of deadlines - really, a new set of priorities. If you've ever begun anything new (or started back to something that's been absent in your life for a while), you'll know that it is hard work to get everything accomplished - especially at the beginning!

In recent weeks, I have found myself trying to shove my husband, job, schoolwork, friendships, Bible study time, and ministry opportunities into the tiny bag that is my life…until it was bursting at the seams! Getting it all in there is tough stuff. Picture this: it's like the carry-on suitcase that is too small to now zip up around the entire wardrobe you want to take with you on vaca. No matter how much you squish, tuck, fold, roll, cram, and sit on the case - it refuses to close. What's a girl to do?
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I struggle with perfectionism…the type that is pervasive and sometimes paralyzing. Now before you write me off as "type A," one who seeks to be "better than" others, or just a freak of nature - please hear me out. And take time to evaluate your own heart, as you read. For I believe there are many more closeted perfectionists among us.

According to the Counseling Center at the University of Illinois, many college students struggle with perfectionism. I mention this fact because I have recently re-entered seminary and am taking a full load of classes [#thestruggleisreal]. Here, they list the following questions to help students diagnose the problem:
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Nice to meet you - I'm Leah!

About Me

A.K.A. "Mrs. Pratt" | Follower of Jesus + Wife of Michael + Teacher of High School Bible + Discipler/Counselor + Alumna of SBTS and NGU | In this space, I seek to come alongside other Christians both to challenge and encourage, while we walk this "journey to godly" together. Thanks for stopping by!

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