Head coverings

Sometimes, I am asked a question after hearing a story and it is not my place to give the answer. I was given permission to share this conversation or rather I was asked to tell it. 

It started because I asked, "Are you teaching in any other situations at church?" There was a pause and a redirect in the conversation, but later she came back and said, "I felt shame when you asked if I was teaching."

I asked, "Why did my question cause you shame?"

My pastor has spent six weeks preaching that women need to wear head coverings. He is being open about it and not requiring it, but for six weeks he preached on why he thought we should do it. I don't know what I think about it. I know some say the passage is referencing a cultural situation and not a rule. People have left the church. Some women are now covering their heads and discussing when can we be without one. It is such an outward thing. It doesnt make sense. I was asked to teach again for a women's group, but I declined because I don't know what I think about the head covering. 

There was so much more discussed. Once again I found myself in great sadness as I reflected on the church.

I said, "Here are the questions I would ask myself in a similar type situation. As you reflect on the sermon series and expectation of a head covering for yourself.

1. Does it give God glory?

2. Does it cause me/us to draw close to Jesus?

3. Does it increase faith?

4. Does it build the kingdom of God?

5. Does it cause someone to believe the gospel?  

We went over the questions and repeated them as we discussed why each one is important.

Have you asked the pastor any of these questions? Maybe, you might want to. 

Once you have answered the questions, you then need to ask, "Can I honor the pastor and church with the expectations?"

This will help you to know what to do. Church is our spiritual family. It is going to be messy. There is no perfect church. We need to have our primary beliefs settled that cannot be broken. Then you need to determine where this belief sits in level of importance. Are you willing to die for it or fight for it? Does Scripture expect us to die for it or fight for it? 

Have you talked through this with your family? Let them speak into it whether they are a follower of Jesus or not. Through these conversations you might get insight into whether or not such a topic will draw people closer to Jesus or not. 

Are you willing to bring people to church and say you support this belief?

There is so much to pray through.

I imagine you have faced moments like these. I know I have. It is why the questions came up so fast and easily for me to give to her. There is something so painful when we feel at odds with our church. Our church family is sacred and we do not want to be a part of division, strife, gossip, or be that person. Yet, we need to be able to safely discuss the pain and trials we face among the body of Christ. When something is hidden and not talked about, it stops the gift of bringing light into the circumstance. This is why we must seek wise counsel. This situation isn't in my state. It is far far away. I am so thankful for the wisdom to seek counsel outside of the circumstance to prayerfully approach what is a very heart wrenching season in this church for the women.