In the June 13, 2015 issue of World magazine, a writer named Sophia Lee writes about being a preacher’s child, “The Family Business.” Ms. Lee leads the article with these two sentences: “Pastors’ kids get front-row seats to the broken, bloody spectacle of the church. It’s both a challenge and a blessing” (pg. 56).
With Sunday being Father’s Day, I decided to talk to Jewell (age 15) and Ana (13) about their lives as preacher’s kids and missionary’s kids. Sometimes men decide they will not be preachers because they don’t want to drag their children through the types of things Ms. Lee describes in her article. Yet, as you will see, Jewell and Ana’s experiences were quite different. So, while they did not write the following, I am presenting their sentiments. Sometimes, I’m getting their reaction to a statement(s) made by Ms. Lee. I’ll italicize Lee. Otherwise, my questions are in bold and my comments are generally in parentheses. I have not tried to distinguish between Jewell’s comments and Ana’s.
How do you feel about being a preacher’s daughter? Not bad (not very descriptive!). There are some “perks” to being a “PK:” I think I’m a better Christian for it; Our family seems to be more Bible-oriented; I don’t want to sound cocky but I think we are more rooted spiritually speaking. I also do not believe we are too involved in church work – especially since we are homeschooled; it helps us get out of the house! You can take stuff out of the refrigerator at the church building (I do not give them permission for that!). You also get to know a lot of people, from different states. You are connected to a lot of Christians, know a lot of other PKs and you can feel popular.
How do you feel being a missionary’s kid has impacted your life? I have experienced stuff that others have not. Having lived in Romania, I have learned that Christianity is not just fun. The Christians in Romania have nothing, compared to us. They are isolated but are still more faithful than a lot of American Christians. It effects my perspective because I can’t see how I can not be faithful to Christ when those Christians are still faithful even though they are a small group in a large city.
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I’m glad I have many memories of living in Romania, yet I don’t want to be identified simply as an “MK.” I have an identity that is greater than that.
What bad have you experienced, being an MK? The experience can make you different. You can seem out of touch with American society and culture. Your American friends might think your experiences are “cool,” but they can’t identify with those experiences.
–Paul Holland
