What I Wish My Church Knew…

Not long ago, the Christianity Today Her.meneutics site asked women to enter a summer writing contest addressing what they wished their church knew. More than 150 women with ages ranging from 16 to 70+ responded from across the world. Their answers were instructive for those of us in church leadership. Here is the list of topics they submitted: 

“I wish my church knew . . .”

the pain of miscarriage

the importance of female pastors as role models

that we don’t have all the answers

that singles need ministry too

that we can learn something from the LGBT community

the demands of women who work

the pervasiveness of mental illness

to teach us how to argue

the forgotten power of reciting the psalms

to stop looking for the next big thing

the needs of rural women

what it’s like to be an evangelical introvert

how to talk about addiction

the ministry opportunities for adults with disabilities

how to make disciples out of senior citizens

what it’s really like to be a pastor’s kid

the pain of domestic violence victims

the effectiveness of intergenerational ministry

to value preschoolers for their sake, not to reach their parents

the struggles of chronic illness

the practice of healing confession

what it’s like to walk into a bar

the dangers of being middle class

how many of us are dealing with depression

that Christians don’t need to mourn the loss of Christian America

that worship isn’t about us

that I love the church just the way it is

the place for stillness in the church

not to pretend to be perfect

how to feel like family

The Her.meneutics editor wrote, “Some of these topics came up over and over again, especially ones related to mental illness, singleness, and introversion. The church isn’t just for happy and healthy married extroverts. . . . ”

(Speaking of mental illness, one of my former seminary students wrote A Different Shade of Normal, an ebook about his schizophrenia, because he found so few helpful resources beyond the clinical perspective. Sadly, people in the Church have suggesed he is demon-possessed! And as for singles in the church, check out this issue of Kindred Spirit magazine.)    

How would you finish this sentence: "I Wish My Church Knew. . . ."