Dear Arah and Etan,
How was your first Sunday in your dad's new church appointment? Were you received well by the members? I know they are now observing you and making their expectations for a PK like you.
Do not be surprised if members start asking you about your hidden talents and skills. They will always expect you to be good in singing and playing instruments. They are now planning to recruit you to join the choir or be part of the praise and worship team. There is nothing wrong with that, but to expect you to do that then be disappointed if you are not musically gifted is another thing. People will always assume that as PKs you are born with musical talents and you will save their inability to encourage other members to join the choir and praise team. I remember Josie, a fellow PK, who intentionally did not learn to play the guitar and hated singing in public even if our music teacher told her she has the talent. I guess she was being rebellious. She did tell me she wanted to be in the choir and be part of the music team but wanted to do it on her own will, on her own terms, out of love to serve God and not from the pressure and expectations of the people around her.
I hope you started making friends already with other youths in the church. I know they too will have expectations from you. They will be bashful to invite you to join in their "gimmicks" to the mall and in watching the latest "Superman" movie because they don't expect PKs to do such stuffs. Don't worry, invite them instead and they will be surprised you are just an ordinary teenager like them.
I know some people will not approach you and offer a welcome hand. They will simply assume that you are a transient kid that will come in their church for a year or two then go while they are there for years. Yes, many will treat you as an outsider and a stranger. But don't think this is the Christian welcome and warmth of fellowship. This is the exception rather than the rule. Just feel at home. They may just be threatened with the new things your Dad will introduce in church to improve their practice of "open hearts, open minds, open doors."
Don't lose faith. The people in your church call themselves Christians. How bad can that be?
Write me soon and share your experiences during your first several weeks there. Remember, in all your struggles... you are not alone.
