More than an Opportunity
by Jelani McKnight
When I first began my residency at First Baptist Church of Elkin, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I knew I would have opportunities to preach, lead worship, engage in congregational leadership and grow in my understanding of ministry. What I didn’t expect was how quickly the church and community would welcome me and my family with open arms.
From the very beginning, there was a genuine desire to know who I was, learn about my family and build relationships with us. I felt like family. The welcoming has meant more to me than I can put into words, and it has made me even more excited to show up, be present and invest in the life of this congregation.
Another significant part of this experience has been learning from my mentor and pastor, Mark Reece Jr. Mark has been an incredible mentor. He is intentional, knowledgeable, funny and someone who consistently leaves me with something to think about. One particular moment that has stayed with me happened while we were discussing a pastoral care visit. I was trying to figure out my schedule and how I could make everything happen. Mark reminded me, “Lani, this isn’t a requirement. It’s an opportunity.”
That statement has stuck with me ever since. It has challenged me to think differently about ministry. Sometimes we become so focused on what we have to do that we forget about the opportunities in front of us. It is an invitation to be present with people, build relationships and recognize the privilege of walking alongside others. I appreciate Mark for trusting me with opportunities to lead, learn and discover where I can continue to grow.
Some of those opportunities came earlier than I expected. During my first Sunday at the church, Mark invited me to help lead communion, invocation, etc. Although I was familiar with communion, I had never actually helped lead it. I was nervous because I understood the responsibility that came with that moment. Those experiences may seem small, but they meant a great deal to me. Sometimes growth happens when someone trusts you with an opportunity before you feel completely ready for it.
Working with the youth has also been an important part of my formation. Having genuine conversations with them has helped me better understand how they think, how they feel and what matters to them. They have different personalities, perspectives and needs. I cannot approach every student the same way or assume that what works for one will work for another. It has challenged me to be more thoughtful about what I say, the activities I plan and how I engage with them. I enjoy taking the time to sit down, have a real conversation and let them know that their thoughts and feelings matter.
What I have also come to appreciate about First Baptist Church of Elkin is the way people show up for one another. There is an intentionality throughout the congregation that I admire. People understand their roles, take responsibility for them and are willing to adapt when circumstances change. There is also a beautiful sense of grace. If something doesn’t go quite as planned, there is room to laugh, learn and try again. That kind of environment makes it easier to be yourself and grow alongside others.
Perhaps the biggest change this residency has brought about is the way I think about my own calling. Before coming to Elkin, I often wondered how people would receive me, whether I was doing things correctly and what I needed to do to prove that I belonged. Now, I find myself asking different questions.
I am learning to be more curious, listen more intentionally and spend less time worrying about how others perceive me. I find myself looking forward to coming to Elkin. I want to be present. I want to do the work. More importantly, I want to remain open to what God is teaching me through the people and experiences around me.
I came to Elkin expecting to learn about ministry. I didn’t realize how much I would learn about being present, being welcomed and allowing myself to be formed along the way. I am learning that it takes intentionality, trust, grace and a willingness to grow together. For that, I am incredibly grateful to Mark, the congregation, the youth and the entire Elkin community for making this experience more than I ever expected.
[Learn more about CBF North Carolina’s Inaugural Field Education Residency Program here.]
