where are the girl pastors?

the other day at my church, we were sort of "christening" a new pastor. he is an incredible man who has led our church unofficially for so long and his commission is well deserved. the other two pastors were up at the front with him. all three pastors are dear friends of mine and very good, godly men who i am honored to be led by.

a few seats to my left, a five year old boy whispered to his mother, "where are the girl pastors?"

this little moment made my heart soar. it embodies a breathtaking shift that is much needed and, so it seems, possible. a little boy who expects to see women in leadership. this is not a victorious or remarkable comment to him. it is simply a given: women are leaders too. what a relief. what a joy. what a privilege to be a part of a community of people raising children to assume that.

let it be known that while all three paid pastors at my church are men, women are in significant places of leadership at my church. in fact, this little boy was literally asking where our actual girl pastors are, because we have four female preachers. at my church, women teach. we lead, we strategize, we decide, we guide, we discern. and hear me when i say: as we well should. but this is truly (sadly) not at all a consensus in the church as a whole.

maybe, just maybe, that little five year old boy will grow up among other little boys and girls and they will all, innocently at first but eventually with conviction ask, "where are the girl pastors?" and "where are the girl CEOs?" and "where are the girl pioneers?"

or maybe the bigger dream is that he wouldn't have to ask because… there the girls are already, leading.