Mama Bear

Rough week.

There is a part of church life that I like to call the "stuff under the rock." I understand it as a necessary framework in which the Church (big C) must operate, and I celebrate the many people who are excellent at the work of the church's structures and committees.

But.....

.... and you knew there was a 'but'.....

When said system of order and structure does something that is not good for my congregation and the faithful, hardworking people in it, I will bring That. System. Down. (insert Sandra Bullock voice from Miss Congeniality)

Today I found out about an unfortunate injustice imposed upon our little church that almost immediately got my Mama Bear juices flowing. In other words - if you're smart, don't mess with my peeps.

I did not freak out.

I gathered all of the pertinent information so that all of my facts were correct, then I got busy. The particular committee that made a
rather massive mistake - one that made our church look really, really bad and stated outright that we were not in compliance with The Manual - well, that person heard from me. I remained calm but unyielding. "The problem is to be fixed, and here is how it is going to happen"

And that was just the beginning. I listed the ways in which this issue is going to be repaired. I left no room for excuses or delays. Because when you diss my people, my church family, people that I love...... you WILL hear from me.

I have long been fascinated by styles of ministry leadership. Most of the time I lead quietly from the middle, encouraging the gifts of the faithful people around me. Sometimes though, in some situations, my style becomes that of the Mama Bear - if you're going to go after them,
you will have to get past me first. And you don't want to do that.

I'm really not just posturing here and trying to sound all tough. I was as surprised as anyone to notice how calm and determined I was when I realized my primary task for the day was to defend my congregation. In a really odd way, it was almost like watching myself "do" ministry in a way rarely experienced (TBTG) up to now.

Maybe wasn't really such a bad day after all.