Pastors get mad at God too -- My bare toes skim the surface of the freezing April marina water. A seal’s shiny head surfaces nearby to survey the harbor during an afternoon swim. My shoulders tighten and my head aches as the sound of lapping water starts to work her magic on this confused and tired body.
I appreciate your honesty. I'm a former pastor who was coerced into resigning by the council of the last congregation I served without explanation or any accusation of wrongdoing. I have a lot of anger at specific people who made that abrupt and unexpected ending far more painful and unhealthy for both me and the congregation than necessary. I know I need to forgive them but I'm not ready to yet and am trying to accept that and allow myself to be mad as hell.
I appreciate your honesty. I'm a former pastor who was coerced into resigning by the council of the last congregation I served without explanation or any accusation of wrongdoing. I have a lot of anger at specific people who made that abrupt and unexpected ending far more painful and unhealthy for both me and the congregation than necessary. I know I need to forgive them but I'm not ready to yet and am trying to accept that and allow myself to be mad as hell.
Have you read Kate Bowler's memoirs? I think you'd appreciate them as much as I did. I included some of my favorite quotes from those two books in last week's issue of my newsletter: https://wendigordon.substack.com/p/wise-words-from-kate-bowler
Thank you for naming this part of your story. I honor the pain and challenge in that unexpected transition.
Thank you for sharing these words. 💕
You're welcome. Grateful we're in this writing work together.