Published 8:00 pm Friday, June 7, 2024 By Submitted Across the Pastor’s Desk by Ken Jensen Remember when mini-skirts were in fashion? It goes back many years. Kenneth Jensen A parishioner who was quite upset came to see me. A woman who worshiped the previous Sunday had worn slacks.
For this parishioner, a woman wearing slacks was inappropriate for church. She should have been wearing a dress! The previous worship service included the celebration of Holy Communion. I replied, “What would you prefer seeing – a woman kneeling at the altar rail wearing slacks or one wearing a mini-skirt flashing her underpants?” I could empathize with her feelings.
She was older and, as we age, change can become annoying at best and threatening at worst. But it isn’t only the elderly for whom change is difficult. When my denomination began ordaining women, it was the young people in our congregation who were having the most difficult time accepting change.
Women in our local nursing home thought it was great. Change is inevitable. Change is frequently for the better; other times, not so much.
And when change is for the better, it takes time for it to be embraced. When I supervised intern pastors (vickers), I suggested that when they became a parish pastor, they wait a year before initiating any changes and then, not to get two steps ahead of the church council lest they face a backlash. Jesus said much about change.
In the Sermon on the Mount, he said, “You have heard that it was said.
