For most of my life, I have struggled with “the curse,” as my aunt calls it. As a bright, strong-willed woman, most of the adjectives that society uses to describe my personality are extremely negative. I am rarely accused of being sweet or sensitive, patient or graceful. The people who understand my personality and communication style the best have summed it up: you communicate like a man. I don’t, though. I communicate like a woman because that’s what I am.

If you really want to understand the struggle that I’m describing, you have to read the essay “Balls,” by the Rev. Kathryn Z Johnston, in There’s a Woman in the Pulpit. She says it more concisely than I’m doing here.

In my church, the ordination process usually takes about 4 years. For me it took just over 8. During the years of waiting and continued discernment, I regularly filled in for pastors on Sunday mornings, and led funerals for people with no church home. People always wanted to give me a title – Pastor, Reverend, Minister, Priest – whatever they were used to calling their spiritual leader. I didn’t know what title they should use for me any more than they did.

“Don’t Call Me ‘Reverend'” by the now-Rev. Denise Anderson does an excellent job describing the struggle and frustration I felt in those years. It’s good to know that I am not the only one.

My freshman year of college, I stopped eating red meat (by which I mean any meat from mammals – don’t go trying to convince me that pork is “the other white meat”). The year after I graduated college, I gave up eating poultry. I could write volumes on the various reasons behind my 15+ years of enjoying vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, cheese, tofu, nuts, and more vegetables, to the exclusion of meat… but really, I get sick of explaining it to people, especially in the church where I am usually considered to be some freak of nature for not getting excited about meals consisting of white bread, iceberg lettuce, and processed cheese.

The Rev. Teri Peterson has had a similar experience. I’m so glad she wrote “A Vegetarian in the Church” so that I can just point people to that essay, instead of continually re-explaning myself.

There’s a Woman in the Pulpit is a vivid, meaningful, relatable book by a variety of clergywomen from around the world. I am blessed to be among the contributors, and a member of the phenomenal group RevGalBlogPals. But that’s not why you should read this book. You should pick up your own copy because if you have ever known a clergywoman, or if you have ever wondered about the phenomenon of ordaining women in Christian churches, you can understand the people and communities involved by exploring the essays in this book. There is a chapter for everyone. You are sure to find something that resonates with you, and you are also likely to find something that challenges you and your experiences of faith, church, and the world. I hope you enjoy the read.