"You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.” - Anne Lamott
Good Lord, this week made it clear, didn't it Karen? The unveiling of language, the violations, the seething hatred - it was all made abundantly, perfectly clear. And you know what? It's Luke 8:17 being played out in front of us, "For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open." We saw it in the secret places. Now it is on full display and out in the open. May God help his people to have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Karen, coming out of ATI and the Independent Fundamentalist Baptists, the Christian evangelical blogosphere of the early 2010s seemed so much more moderate to me that I avidly read online the most prominent voices then coming from the SBC, TGC, etc. But as abuses started coming to light and some of the voices I had been reading became defensive rather than lamenting and repenting, I recognized the familiar pattern and my heart sank. I withdrew a little, dreading to see those I'd benefitted by reading fall for latest golden calf - and sometimes prayed for those voices I'd found most helpful, to avoid the pitfalls I saw opening around them. I am thankful you made it out.
You are a faithful servant , true to the woman God proudly created, gifted, and called. You are one of many in the public and large institutions experiencing this vile destructive behaviors. Most of us are also experiencing the same at the local church or ministries.
We pray for you, love you from afar. We see your presence.
know this, you are not alone, not forgotten, and are supported. You may not know us by name but we are witness to your experience and you to ours.
It wasn't me, either, but in a different context. The parachurch mission organization I served began to change in fundamental ways through decades of leadership and societal changes. Many of us pushed back, but we were ultimately told to get with the program or leave. That was when I began planning my retirement. All human organizations experience mission creep; some, like political parties, go through mission pole vaults. It's terribly hard to see a beloved church or denomination change in ways that we can't accept, but we know this is nothing new: the debate over orthodoxy and consequent church schisms have been part of Christianity since Paul railed against the Jewish circumcisers at Galatia. I'm glad you continue to speak out, Karen, and more importantly, that you continue to live faithfully to the calling Jesus has given you.
I'm so sorry. The SBC wants power and is continuing it's quest for more, at the expense of women and children. You were just another stepping stone, as were my mother and so many others. Keep telling your story. It's time for people to understand that not all believers are truly following Jesus, and that we need to look elsewhere for our examples.
Saddened once again by the denomination I was raised, educated, and served by. Fearful of the next steps that are likely being contemplated and discussed even now.
This sounds awful for you and I am very sorry for your experience. I have , of course , benefited hugely from you having enough time to run the priory but I wish it had happened in a less unpleasant way
I’m so sorry, Karen. I always say that if seminaries really want to welcome women to their campuses, they have to be willing to go to the mattresses for them. They have to be willing to lose donors. They have to go out of their way to support them and reassure them that their presence is a gift to the institution. Most institutions can’t or won’t pay this price, either for students or faculty members. The SBC was founded upon the principle that some members are more equal than others, and over the years, it has chased out practically everyone who disagrees. One day it will have to answer to the God it claims to serve.
Thank you, Amy. I hate that what you say I now know to be true. But better to know than not know. And in Christ it will all be overcome—and judged, too.
It's so sad and frustrating. My dad was an SBC pastor for many years, so so much of my spiritual formation and love for the church came from this. We were mostly in small, rural churches which I think have a different tone than what is coming out of the denomination as a whole. Still, it's a shame.
It is a shame. It’s much harder because there is good mixed in with it all. I can’t do the kind of math that can measure how much good it takes to outweigh the bad. I just realize now there is too much of the bad.
Thank you for your courage and commitment to standing for truth … even when it’s costly, and even when those who should be standing with you (and claim to be standing for truth while they silently succumb to the idols of power and wealth) fade away
A story that deserves to be told.
"You own everything that happened to you. Tell your stories. If people wanted you to write warmly about them, they should have behaved better.” - Anne Lamott
Karen, shout it from the housetops, and be not weary in well-doing. You are right. They are horribly wrong.
Thank you, Marty.
Good Lord, this week made it clear, didn't it Karen? The unveiling of language, the violations, the seething hatred - it was all made abundantly, perfectly clear. And you know what? It's Luke 8:17 being played out in front of us, "For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open." We saw it in the secret places. Now it is on full display and out in the open. May God help his people to have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Yes, yes, yes.
And amen.
Karen, coming out of ATI and the Independent Fundamentalist Baptists, the Christian evangelical blogosphere of the early 2010s seemed so much more moderate to me that I avidly read online the most prominent voices then coming from the SBC, TGC, etc. But as abuses started coming to light and some of the voices I had been reading became defensive rather than lamenting and repenting, I recognized the familiar pattern and my heart sank. I withdrew a little, dreading to see those I'd benefitted by reading fall for latest golden calf - and sometimes prayed for those voices I'd found most helpful, to avoid the pitfalls I saw opening around them. I am thankful you made it out.
You were discerning and perceptive, Holly. I’m so glad you were. Glad I made it out, too.
You are a faithful servant , true to the woman God proudly created, gifted, and called. You are one of many in the public and large institutions experiencing this vile destructive behaviors. Most of us are also experiencing the same at the local church or ministries.
We pray for you, love you from afar. We see your presence.
know this, you are not alone, not forgotten, and are supported. You may not know us by name but we are witness to your experience and you to ours.
These are healing and comforting words. Encouraging in the most literal way. Thank you.
It wasn't me, either, but in a different context. The parachurch mission organization I served began to change in fundamental ways through decades of leadership and societal changes. Many of us pushed back, but we were ultimately told to get with the program or leave. That was when I began planning my retirement. All human organizations experience mission creep; some, like political parties, go through mission pole vaults. It's terribly hard to see a beloved church or denomination change in ways that we can't accept, but we know this is nothing new: the debate over orthodoxy and consequent church schisms have been part of Christianity since Paul railed against the Jewish circumcisers at Galatia. I'm glad you continue to speak out, Karen, and more importantly, that you continue to live faithfully to the calling Jesus has given you.
Thank you, Charlie. You are right that it is nothing new. It just feels new for each of us who goes through it the first time, doesn’t it.
Thanks for your encouragement and support.
I'm so sorry. The SBC wants power and is continuing it's quest for more, at the expense of women and children. You were just another stepping stone, as were my mother and so many others. Keep telling your story. It's time for people to understand that not all believers are truly following Jesus, and that we need to look elsewhere for our examples.
Saddened once again by the denomination I was raised, educated, and served by. Fearful of the next steps that are likely being contemplated and discussed even now.
Yes. I share that fear. I’m still sad, more sad than angry.
Thank you for not being quiet. Your voice is critical and gives strength to many of us to be like you.
You’re a good egg KSP.
🙂
This story (above) is how I ended up at Substack, which I announced at the time here: https://karenswallowprior.substack.com/p/i-am-the-prioress-of-my-soul?r=90e4e&utm_medium=ios
I’m so sorry for what’s happened to you, but I’m so thankful for your witness, strength and faith. It gives many, including me, courage.
Thank you so much, Sheila. Grateful for you and your faithful voice.
This sounds awful for you and I am very sorry for your experience. I have , of course , benefited hugely from you having enough time to run the priory but I wish it had happened in a less unpleasant way
The Lord is redeeming it all! He rescued me from that and I am grateful.
I’m so sorry, Karen. I always say that if seminaries really want to welcome women to their campuses, they have to be willing to go to the mattresses for them. They have to be willing to lose donors. They have to go out of their way to support them and reassure them that their presence is a gift to the institution. Most institutions can’t or won’t pay this price, either for students or faculty members. The SBC was founded upon the principle that some members are more equal than others, and over the years, it has chased out practically everyone who disagrees. One day it will have to answer to the God it claims to serve.
Thank you, Amy. I hate that what you say I now know to be true. But better to know than not know. And in Christ it will all be overcome—and judged, too.
It's so sad and frustrating. My dad was an SBC pastor for many years, so so much of my spiritual formation and love for the church came from this. We were mostly in small, rural churches which I think have a different tone than what is coming out of the denomination as a whole. Still, it's a shame.
It is a shame. It’s much harder because there is good mixed in with it all. I can’t do the kind of math that can measure how much good it takes to outweigh the bad. I just realize now there is too much of the bad.
Thank you for your courage and commitment to standing for truth … even when it’s costly, and even when those who should be standing with you (and claim to be standing for truth while they silently succumb to the idols of power and wealth) fade away
Thank you. It’s not easy. But then again, when if comes down to it, what else would I want to do? 🙏