Page 3 - KOG Glory & Grace, Issue 10: Voices

Letter from the Revs
If I’ve had one recurring question over fifteen years of ordained ministry, it has been this: God, how shall I use my voice?
The responsibility of “speaking God’s wisdom” (1 Cor. 2:7) is ever-present for a preacher and the challenge of getting through to those tempted to “turn away from listening” (2 Tim. 4:2) is an uphill climb. Week in and week out, “what shall I say?” is probably my most prayed prayer.
In the early days of preaching as a studious seminarian, I cared a great deal that every sermon “get it right.” I would read everything I could get my hands on regarding the assigned text and aimed to preach sermons that would impress my professors (even after graduating). I was fortunate to learn under some great preachers, which only seemed to further complicate my quest. How could I ever become as respected and revered as them? Working harder seemed only to yield sermons that contained more of what I thought I “should” say, rather than my own voice. As I strived for acknowledgment and accomplishment, I would quietly wonder with Ben, did I have a voice? Did God have something unique to say through me?
Then there was a preaching season when I was obsessively critical of myself not just to get it "right," but to use my voice in a way that matters. That makes a difference. That actually changes things. It turns out that even if you have a platform or a position of influence, you can worry that your work isn't moving the needle.
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Ben and Jen with family, following installation as Co-Lead Pastors March 2019
As the desire to “get it right” and “say something that matters” remains alive in me, author Elouise Renich Fraser’s words offer encouragement:
“Speaking as a theologian is a relational act. It isn’t a one-woman show. Nor is it simply the communication of information and directives or my best arguments for a point of view...its about letting others in on what I’m thinking about and how I’m responding to what I see, hear, or read. It’s about not being afraid to speak with my own voice. It’s about accepting God’s invitation to be myself, not someone else real or imagined."
In this issueof we share stories of people who are choosing to use their God-given voices to contribute to the world. Certainly, we each do this daily, but the temptation to quiet oneself looms large. Sharing your voice happens when you care for others, parent children, treat strangers, and work for justice and peace in your own unique ways. The stories in this issue are just a snapshot of the ways KOG members use their voices and we hope these stories will inspire you to use your voice to “encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Pastor Ben Pastor Jen