The Life of a P.K.

To the reader of this book:

The words you will read in this book, come from vivid memories of times and places in my life, that are still very real to me. I lived every moment described in this book, and I relived them, again, soaked in tears, as I wrote about them.

I acknowledge and respect, that there was an era in the church age, where following strict religious rules were considered a reflection of Christianity. Many of those strict rules no longer exist today, in churches, nor are they considered a requirement for godly Christian living.

Back in the late 1980’s, there was a change that happened. Christians began to realize and focus more, on the importance of a relationship with Jesus (who then sets rules for us individually) rather than using rules to set a relationship. However, that change was slow, and in some cases now, still evolving.

However, that being said, there are many, many adults, now, who were turned off by those rules from that era. Who, no longer live for God because they were hurt by the enforcement of those rules. It is to those people, I write about my life. To encourage those people, to have a relationship with Jesus. To allow a relationship with God dictate how their life is lived — not mankind.

I, acknowledge and respect, that many of the events described in this book, talk about actions of imperfect humans. Myself included. Sometimes, people hurt people because they themselves are hurting. We own our actions that we take, and we own the consequences from them. We do NOT own, the actions done by others, to us. My life story is a prime example, of how our words have the opportunity to affect someone positively or negatively. However, forgiveness can heal those hurts.

There are many preacher’s kids, missionary kids, and ministry kids, who grow up never walking away from God. However, there are many, many of those kids who do. There are too many. It is to the hurting preacher’s kids, that I offer my life story as an example of how running from God, blaming God, for other people’s actions, does not put us too far away from God. God sees each one of us, and can bring us back to Him. My message to PK’s running from God is; don’t blame God. Maybe, my story will bring just one PK, back to God. It is not God who hurt you. Run to Him instead.

Many PK’s are misunderstood. The average person does not know or understand what it is like for a child to grow up in a glasshouse. A son or daughter of a police officer, firefighter, church deacon or elder, political leaders, and many others, also live in glasshouses. My story gives a glimpse as to what it is like for many PK’s. We are not special, no more than the average child, growing up in a church is, but members of a church sometimes hold us to a higher accountability. Often, we are the prodigy child many Christians compare to their own children. 

My hope is that my story will show other Christians, that PK’s feel those very real pressures in a church. Some of those pressures we place on ourselves. Some are placed on us by church members. Many people do not even realize they are doing it. Many people claim pastor’s kids run from God because the pastor is not at home with his children. This is truth, in part. If we as Christians gain a better understanding of what it is like to live in a pastor’s home, we will be able to understand the depth of God’s calling, on a pastor’s life. Maybe, we as Christians can offer ourselves to help more in a church. Then our pastor can be home with his family, more. After all, the bible tells us to share our burdens with each other.

I hope my story will also encourage Pastors. To understand the pressures their children may face. However, those pressures do not have to lead to ruin. Do not quit ministry for Jesus, because of the pressures your family may, or may not endure. Your children need your ministry, too. If you have been called by God to do ministry — obey God’s call. Align yourself to God’s plan.

It is not just pastor’s kids to run from God. Godly parents raise kids who run away from God, too. We need to work together to build a solid foundation in all our kids lives. To encourage, and inspire them — to live for Jesus.

My hope is that you, the reader, will cry with me, and laugh with me, as I tell you the story of my life. It is a story of hope. It is a story of actions and consequences. However, it is also a story of restoration, and an enjoyment of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as Lord. 

God is alive. He is waiting for you to put your faith and trust in Him. Regardless, of what you see around you.

There is a difference between life with God, than without. My life story proves that. Yours can, too. Run to God. Do not blame God.