I haven’t commented on anything you’ve written before, but have been encouraged by your writing for years. Yet this more than anything has made me feel like I must say, “thank you”. Your thoughts and words matter.
I really value this perspective. A verse that has come back to me again and again over the last few years is the reminder that very few should be teachers. Also, the admonition that ministry roles are based on lived integrity. One of the challenges I see with social media and celebrity culture, especially around writers and influencers, is how easily charisma wins the day. Too often it feels like charisma over character, shine and glitter over substance.
Yes. I’ve thought a lot about that once again. You phrased it well. ‘Charisma over character’ It seems that our human nature too easily falls prey, to that false value, sometimes.
Yes, and I think it cuts both ways. Perhaps the most charismatic people thrive on the admiration of others. I don’t believe the human heart was made for fame. Not many folks can handle its seductive powers, and so they fall. I am not trying to be critical of writers or influencers. I have my own book coming out with Tyndale in April. But I do hope the celebrity culture element in general loses its hold.
First, this is where I always appreciate the distinction Catholics make between ministry and apostolate. Ministry (as a word) tends to be used for work that takes place within official parish or diocesan structures, most typically by people trained and ordained for that particular work. Apostolate is the work of lay people in the world, done to help spread the Gospel, illuminate the Gospel, or live particular aspects of the Gospel (like service to the poor). As a writer, who focuses on questions of truth, beauty, goodness, and the life of faith (all with the hope of helping people know Christ better and live the Christian life more fully), I would definitely call my work an apostolate, but never a ministry. I would say the same about your work, the work of many in your family, and most lay Christians who share the Gospel through writing and speaking, whether online or elsewhere.
Second thought. The increasing and intense pressure to be an expert with fully formed opinions in everything(which you articulate so well!), is making the apostolate of Christian writers more difficult by the day. The expectation to speak up about everything can be, at times, a distraction from writing about those things which we are actually equipped and called to write about. At other times, it can be paralyzing or guilt-inducing. I routinely hear how I am disappointing some one or other for not writing about the controversy they want me to write about, and plowing ahead regardless of some people’s disappointment is often challenging. At least for me!
I thought the same thing reading this, Emily. As a Catholic convert (from evangelicalism, then Anglicanism), I love the distinction between ministry and apostolate. I’d never heard it before as a Protestant, but it shed great light on the unique role of the clergy vs. the lay, and how both are needed as lights in the world but in different capacities.
Overall, I agree with the principle of your message, though I hardly would pin the idea of knowing everything to American culture alone. This approach and filter in general has permeated most of westernized cultures and caused not only unnecessary confusion and stress in general, but I believe is also deeply contributive to how burnt out people are individually. How stressful it is to think one must be an expert in several fields while also, helplessly, maintaining their actual life! A call to prudently and humbly tending to the “little things” in our immediate life is truly called for for us all! With that I do agree!
Thanks for this, Brittany. I take your point about it being a western (enlightenment) mentality, not simply an American one. Though I think America does have its own unique expression of this dynamic. A kind of cowboy, Wild West belief that we are up to anything. Which is actually wonderful in many ways.
I really appreciate this reflection. It resonates deeply with me, especially the point about the weight of vocation and office. As Catholics, we understand that not every role or calling is the same, there are distinctive offices in the Church and in life, each with its own responsibilities, accountability, and sacredness. This is clear in the Church’s hierarchy and sacramental life, but it also applies more broadly: the vocation of spouse, parent, friend, or professional is no less real or holy, even if it’s less public.
I also think your point about not trying to be everything for everyone is particularly important in a culture that constantly pushes us to overextend ourselves, to judge, and to weigh in on issues for which we are neither trained nor accountable. Catholic teaching emphasizes stewardship of our gifts and obedience to the roles God has placed us in. We are called to serve well where we are planted, trusting that God will guide and equip us to witness faithfully.
Your closing reflection on Janet Yancey is a profound reminder: faithfulness in our particular offices whether in marriage, family, work, or ministry—is itself an act of holiness. I’m reminded that holiness is not always about grand gestures but about faithful stewardship in the ordinary duties God entrusts to us.
Very well said, Joy, and you’ve captured well my sentiments not just about all the news this week, but about how we approach news overall since the internet christened anyone with a WiFi connection an expert.
Brillaint take on the whole expertise trap. The bit about acountability structures really nails something I've noticed at work: people will offer opinions on anythng until there's actual paperwork attached to it. Once signatures and licenses are involved, suddenly everyone gets way more humble. It's kinda like the difference between being a backseat driver versus actually getting behind the wheel.
You’re not wrong to be a stickler about words having meaning! And “ministry” in particular. Catholic here, and I remember a prof I had in college lamenting how we’ve certainly gone too far in referring to everything church-related as a “ministry,” when the after-mass donut volunteers are calling themselves the “donut ministry” 😜
In all seriousness, though, I appreciate your thoughts here, Joy. Thank you for taking the time to wrestle with these heavy topics and to put them into words to share with us.
Joy, I found this to be very well thought out. I'm glad in general that you don't talk about politics( I can't take much of that myself!) however, in this case, I'm glad you talked about it. Using the two examples in the order you did helped clarify not only your own thoughts but my thoughts as I understood yours. Thank you so much for sharing this. I found this quite beneficial.
Thank you for such sorted thoughts. I, too, have disparaged over the pressure to be expert at everything.
My husband read a book that emphasized that we have a circle of “interest” overlapping a circle of “influence”, and when we put our attention toward an interest that is disproportionate to our ability to influence that object, we do a disservice to the areas where God has actually given us is influence, say our family, children, church, job. We do our best work by putting a lot of our energies and “interest” into our areas of influence and don’t let interests stray too far out of our circle of influence.
This is well said. Thank you for being willing to share your thoughts. And I agree! It is easy to feel these burdens, and they are too heavy for anyone to bear.
sometimes I feel like we are biting Eve's apple again and again and again, seeking to Know Everything. Thanks Joy for these thoughtful words.
That is a profound observation that feels so true!
I haven’t commented on anything you’ve written before, but have been encouraged by your writing for years. Yet this more than anything has made me feel like I must say, “thank you”. Your thoughts and words matter.
I really value this perspective. A verse that has come back to me again and again over the last few years is the reminder that very few should be teachers. Also, the admonition that ministry roles are based on lived integrity. One of the challenges I see with social media and celebrity culture, especially around writers and influencers, is how easily charisma wins the day. Too often it feels like charisma over character, shine and glitter over substance.
Yes. I’ve thought a lot about that once again. You phrased it well. ‘Charisma over character’ It seems that our human nature too easily falls prey, to that false value, sometimes.
Yes, and I think it cuts both ways. Perhaps the most charismatic people thrive on the admiration of others. I don’t believe the human heart was made for fame. Not many folks can handle its seductive powers, and so they fall. I am not trying to be critical of writers or influencers. I have my own book coming out with Tyndale in April. But I do hope the celebrity culture element in general loses its hold.
Two quick thoughts.
First, this is where I always appreciate the distinction Catholics make between ministry and apostolate. Ministry (as a word) tends to be used for work that takes place within official parish or diocesan structures, most typically by people trained and ordained for that particular work. Apostolate is the work of lay people in the world, done to help spread the Gospel, illuminate the Gospel, or live particular aspects of the Gospel (like service to the poor). As a writer, who focuses on questions of truth, beauty, goodness, and the life of faith (all with the hope of helping people know Christ better and live the Christian life more fully), I would definitely call my work an apostolate, but never a ministry. I would say the same about your work, the work of many in your family, and most lay Christians who share the Gospel through writing and speaking, whether online or elsewhere.
Second thought. The increasing and intense pressure to be an expert with fully formed opinions in everything(which you articulate so well!), is making the apostolate of Christian writers more difficult by the day. The expectation to speak up about everything can be, at times, a distraction from writing about those things which we are actually equipped and called to write about. At other times, it can be paralyzing or guilt-inducing. I routinely hear how I am disappointing some one or other for not writing about the controversy they want me to write about, and plowing ahead regardless of some people’s disappointment is often challenging. At least for me!
I thought the same thing reading this, Emily. As a Catholic convert (from evangelicalism, then Anglicanism), I love the distinction between ministry and apostolate. I’d never heard it before as a Protestant, but it shed great light on the unique role of the clergy vs. the lay, and how both are needed as lights in the world but in different capacities.
Overall, I agree with the principle of your message, though I hardly would pin the idea of knowing everything to American culture alone. This approach and filter in general has permeated most of westernized cultures and caused not only unnecessary confusion and stress in general, but I believe is also deeply contributive to how burnt out people are individually. How stressful it is to think one must be an expert in several fields while also, helplessly, maintaining their actual life! A call to prudently and humbly tending to the “little things” in our immediate life is truly called for for us all! With that I do agree!
Thanks for this, Brittany. I take your point about it being a western (enlightenment) mentality, not simply an American one. Though I think America does have its own unique expression of this dynamic. A kind of cowboy, Wild West belief that we are up to anything. Which is actually wonderful in many ways.
I really appreciate this reflection. It resonates deeply with me, especially the point about the weight of vocation and office. As Catholics, we understand that not every role or calling is the same, there are distinctive offices in the Church and in life, each with its own responsibilities, accountability, and sacredness. This is clear in the Church’s hierarchy and sacramental life, but it also applies more broadly: the vocation of spouse, parent, friend, or professional is no less real or holy, even if it’s less public.
I also think your point about not trying to be everything for everyone is particularly important in a culture that constantly pushes us to overextend ourselves, to judge, and to weigh in on issues for which we are neither trained nor accountable. Catholic teaching emphasizes stewardship of our gifts and obedience to the roles God has placed us in. We are called to serve well where we are planted, trusting that God will guide and equip us to witness faithfully.
Your closing reflection on Janet Yancey is a profound reminder: faithfulness in our particular offices whether in marriage, family, work, or ministry—is itself an act of holiness. I’m reminded that holiness is not always about grand gestures but about faithful stewardship in the ordinary duties God entrusts to us.
Amen to that last bit. Thanks for your reflections, Victoria.
Appreciate your comments here, Joy.
Thank you for these wise words, Joy. They are much needed.
Very well said, Joy, and you’ve captured well my sentiments not just about all the news this week, but about how we approach news overall since the internet christened anyone with a WiFi connection an expert.
Thanks, Tsh! And yes... how exhausting it can be!
Just a standing ovation to everything you said here, Joy. I've been thinking similar things myself but you articulated it all so well. Well done.
Brillaint take on the whole expertise trap. The bit about acountability structures really nails something I've noticed at work: people will offer opinions on anythng until there's actual paperwork attached to it. Once signatures and licenses are involved, suddenly everyone gets way more humble. It's kinda like the difference between being a backseat driver versus actually getting behind the wheel.
Thank you for your wise words which pour cooling water, not hot oil, on the flames of current public discourse!
You’re not wrong to be a stickler about words having meaning! And “ministry” in particular. Catholic here, and I remember a prof I had in college lamenting how we’ve certainly gone too far in referring to everything church-related as a “ministry,” when the after-mass donut volunteers are calling themselves the “donut ministry” 😜
In all seriousness, though, I appreciate your thoughts here, Joy. Thank you for taking the time to wrestle with these heavy topics and to put them into words to share with us.
Joy, I found this to be very well thought out. I'm glad in general that you don't talk about politics( I can't take much of that myself!) however, in this case, I'm glad you talked about it. Using the two examples in the order you did helped clarify not only your own thoughts but my thoughts as I understood yours. Thank you so much for sharing this. I found this quite beneficial.
I'm really glad to hear that, Elizabeth. Thanks for your kind words. And don't worry: I'm not in any danger of becoming a pundit.
Thank you for such sorted thoughts. I, too, have disparaged over the pressure to be expert at everything.
My husband read a book that emphasized that we have a circle of “interest” overlapping a circle of “influence”, and when we put our attention toward an interest that is disproportionate to our ability to influence that object, we do a disservice to the areas where God has actually given us is influence, say our family, children, church, job. We do our best work by putting a lot of our energies and “interest” into our areas of influence and don’t let interests stray too far out of our circle of influence.
This is well said. Thank you for being willing to share your thoughts. And I agree! It is easy to feel these burdens, and they are too heavy for anyone to bear.