I remember the first time I was exposed to ultra-Christian culture.
I was a freshman at a Christian University and I heard about a thing called a PK. Apparently it meant Pastor’s Kid and the idea behind them was that they almost always had a huge phase inevitably pre-ordained of rebellion.
All the things that were (at the very least) frowned upon, if not properly condemned were tasted or embraced. Sex. Orgies. Drugs. Hard drugs like coke or heroin. Alcohol. All kinds of things that some PK’s had wanted to do for the 18 years of life – they were absolutely available and taste-tested.
Some of these PK’s got away after said tastes. some were not so lucky. Some fell into an unwanted pregnancy that often lead to a marriage that felt like it was a shotgunned wedding (some went well; some ended in divorce). Some PK’s fell into a drug addiction. Some of those even died.
As a white-bread Christian, I can’t tell you that I avoided all of these, but I can tell you that I got away. Some of these made me wonder if being a PK (or an overly involved Christian childhood) was just a ticking time bomb, but having survived and eventually marrying, I felt I didn’t have to worry about it so much anymore.
And then two things forced me to re-examine the idea of PK’s:
1. I became a pastor.
2. I had children.
I have heard sermons in the past that have just triggered some self discovery on both PK’s and parents in ministry and I realized something.
I can’t force my kids to love God. In fact, I will present it as (at best) an attractive option, but if our relationship with Christ is genetic or forced, I just don’t think it can be real or deep. My parents used this strategy: giving an option, but leading by example.
It isn’t a foolproof way to win the Great Commission within our families, but it is a strategy that I think shows respect for the choice we are given.
When and if my kids decide to follow Christ, though, I will not utter the phrase, “Because I’m a pastor, you should…”
Instead I will use the phrase, “Because we are followers of Christ, we should…”
The challenge with following Christ as a non-pastor day-to-day is no different than following Christ as a pastor. The barometer of a higher calling should be universally followed. Falling away from Christ. Sinning, in general. Avoiding going to church. These are part of the faith journey that will probably repeat cyclically. And that’s okay.
Part of the solution is to allow preacher’s children the freedom to explore their identities outside the constraints of their parents’ vocation. When religious leaders embrace their children’s individuality and foster an environment where questions and doubts are welcomed rather than condemned, they promote healthier spiritual development.
Tim Williamson via Psychreg
As for me and my house— we will serve the Lord.