Summary: Too often, we hear stories of pastors who have left their pastoral vocation for a myriad of reasons, and we (the church body) are left guessing about why. This empty void of information can lead to gossip on our part and subsequent pain for the pastor and their families because we do not go to them and ask questions--we just guess. Today, we are launching a mini-series where we hear the before/during/and after of the why these pastors left their posts. We want to focus on the redemption, the why, and the seeing of pastors as fellow broken/beloved image-bearers instead of automatically assuming the worst. We launch the series with our friend, Ben, and his wife, Lauren. Ben wrestles with gender dysphoria (a feeling of disconnect between one's biological sex and their gender identity), and served as a pastor until he felt called by God to be authentic with his wrestling. What happened next? What does gender dysphoria feel like? How does it impact a marriage and a pastor? Join us at the podcast table to hear more. Highlights: "I very much tried to control the image of how people saw me. But . . . when people know me they can choose to love me and not some facsimile." --Ben Schulke "I got to this place where I said, 'I would rather be obedient to God than preserve something temporary--like my job.'"--Ben Schulke "Ben's identity is not gender dysphoria. His identity is not whatever other sin or brokenness he is dealing with. That's not who he is. He is a son of God, and he is loved by Him." --Lauren Schulke Do the Next Thing: Connect with Ben and Lauren by emailing podcast@lauriekrieg.com Learn more about HIMH's Journey Well Training by emailing info@lauriekrieg.com Check out our Podcast Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/himhpodcast/?ref=bookmarks For more on this episode or HIMH: https://lauriekrieg.com/podcast/broken-beloved-pastors-part-1-with-ben-and-lauren-schulke/ Question of the Week for Next Week: What is your least favorite thing to pick up from the floor (that kids throw onto it)? Email podcast@lauriekrieg.com or find us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurie_krieg/
