The angst and stress of speaking through our blogs

by Valora Starr

I have a ritual for preparing to write a blog. I troll social media for a couple days before writing to see what’s trending. And the day I write, I look to see what news is breaking in the global headlines.

I follow that with a prayer for direction for what Women of the ELCA participants—the community of women created in the image of God, called to discipleship–need to hear about what God and the world is stirring up as they live out our purpose statement.

Over the last few years, my ritual has been encased in stress and angst about what and how to write. Reading the latest blogs—Have we become too numb act? and How do you use our blogs? gave me what I needed to examine where the stress and the deep angst comes from.

Linda Post Bushkofsky’s words, “Whatever their topic, our blog posts discuss current events, trends and topics through the lens of Women of the ELCA’s mission and purpose statements,” assured me that my preparation process is on point.

So, what’s really causing this dread for me? I read these thoughtful words by Victoria Contreras, “We distance ourselves from the pain and then become numb. But sometimes we need to use that pain to propel us toward change, to motivate us to take action.”

Then I realized as the director for discipleship it is difficult to avoid voicing what some will find too political. It is difficult not to mix religion and politics. And that gives me stress and deep angst.

This is what I know

1. We are disciples and Christians, and we follow the teachings and practice of our teacher, Jesus.

2. Jesus was political. That’s what helped get him killed. The root of the word politics comes from the Greek word polis, meaning city or community. Jesus and our purpose statement call us to engage in ministry and action. And that leads us to promote healing and wholeness in the church, the society and the world.

3. It was not easy for the twelve men and the group of women disciples who followed Jesus to carry out practices that were contrary to society and government. Following Jesus is not a party.

4. Blog writers and organizations bear responsibility for what they post. But as a community of women created in the image of God, we as readers have a responsibility to respond to what’s happening in the world today.

5. A blog requires dialogue. Please say something whether you agree with a blogger’s words or not. And, yes, please continue to share our work.

Valora K Starr is director for discipleship for Women of the ELCA.