Thread by @Pastor_Wa

My Name is Pastor Wa. I'm passionate about people. I dream about African cities and the typical 25-45 year old urbanite. My passion has led me to start, lead and serve in local churches around African cities (Thread)

I never really wanted to be a Pastor, and my journey to becoming one is a story worth telling (some day). But when i finally answered the call, i determined to be as real & accessible to people that came under my pastoral care, and also do a great job as someone in a holy calling

I first started a tiny church when i was 23, in a poor part of the city. My congregants were mainly builders and casual workers. Men with calloused hands that worked hard and simple women that loved to sing and serve. Generous people who lived in quite difficult circumstances

I taught, visited, cared for, loved on, gave to, and served with everything my wife and I had. I doubt there's anything that can bring you greater joy than watching people's lives transformed because you serve and lead them. It makes it worth the pain and trouble

I never really cared about a big congregation. I always wanted to do well with the ones i gave pastoral oversight. This is a tough thing especially when a big church and the trims of 'ministry success' are a buzz. Even so, i did end leading a big/multiple congregations

I've stayed committed to this cause for about 20 years now. 3 African countries, many churches, tons of people. I've married, buried, counselled, taught & prayed. I've wept, laughed, grappled issues & celebrated. I've loved and been loved by the most unlikely of people.

I know pain. I know grief. I know the demons people are fighting every day, in spite of what they may project on their faces. I've hugged a grieving mother and a celebrating man freed from prison, both 30 seconds apart as i welcomed them to church on Sunday morning.

This has been my life. And I've loved it. I've genuinely sought to pastor and care even here on Twitter #KOTPastor. It's actually possible to do it, not withstanding the problems inherent with differing on this platform (My mistakes sometimes).

But in the last couple of years, I've been bothered by a growing difficulty being faced by people of faith. And it's been a problem that isn't being solved, at least not by anyone i know of. People are getting hugely disillusioned by faith/Christianity/religion

The typical 25-45 year old urbanite is leaving the church/their faith. Mainly because they find themselves with a massive dissonance. Between what they believe and the reality of living life. What's being taught and what they are experiencing do not match up!

It also seems the faith community has insufficient or just bad answers to critical issues. Such as the crippling corruption, bad leadership (in church and government), domestic violence, the LGBTI question, tribalism, gender issues, sex and marriage, evolution, science, money etc

... As a matter of admission, Christians are notoriously bad listeners. We are quick to say Jesus is the answer, before we even hear the question, then fight to the death of anyone that dares say otherwise

Well of course, good answers only come from a good understanding of what the questions are. And the faith community is not doing well on this front. Guilty as charged. (Put down the rocks please).

So what's happening is that young urbanites are leaving the religion/faith/the church. And they are not coming back. Have no intention of coming back and they are doing better without the baggage that is a religious life *Can't believe I said that!* But it's true!

I know this because I've spent the last 9 years listening, watching & asking. The stories of people's interaction with a life of faith are not as glamorous as it seems. I've spent countless hours listening & being conscientious about the outcomes of a life of faith in their lives

One of the most difficult conclusions i had to come to; a very humbling one as well, was that i did not have all the answers i thought i had concerning the questions people were asking. Or that the answers i had were bad, and I needed to learn somethings

And while this was a difficult place to arrive to, it was also freeing. Because it meant i could love people without conditions, & I could forge forward in gaining new insights into the future of the faith. What will a life of faith & belief look like in the future? For my kids?

What questions will i need to ask about my faith and church that will help to build a community that's both relevant and helpful rather than dogmatic and hurtful? What beliefs need to be challenged? What needs to be embraced? How do we change a life of faith? Do we even need it?

So, I began a journey to discovery. I quit my position as a lead pastor sometime ago. And I embarked on finding stories of peoples journeys of faith. Especially those who have left a life of faith or are grappling with it. Either towards Atheism or just not caring anymore ...

To those who are still members of a faith community but are only there as a matter of ritual, have no sense of devotion to the teaching and lifestyle expectations, to those who completely disagree with the teachings of faith on life matters. I want to know and want to learn

So I started a podcast as a platform for this journey. It's called Evolve Podcast @evolveradioKE and it's basically going to be about honest, raw conversations on faith, life and change. Stories of how and why people are evolving in their faith

As you might imagine, this is extremely tough to do, because faith matters are extremely hot button issues, and people will fight to the death when it comes to faith/religion/church. But also because I might come across as fighting the church or i'm hurt. I'm OK! 🙌

I guess this's my invitation to the #KOT community & some that have experienced my ministry & work, to check it out. Also for those with stories of evolution in their faith and would like to talk about it to let me know, you could feature on an episode! (DM's are open)

Probably someone might have good insight into making the podcast and the conversations better, I gladly welcome that. I'm not a techie, still need technical help.

Finally, to those who might feel I have a lot to learn (including from my past stances), You are probably right, and I'm on a journey. Eventually, we can hopefully create a community of people who are evolving in their faith and find travel companions who make it worth the walk!

The podcast's Launch episode is out. Listen here anchor.fm/evolveradio/ep…