Kenyan church culture,religious upbringing. A PK’s experience.

Being a son of a pastor is no longer a family role in Kenya, but an occupation more of a public assignment.
In a PCEA manse, a pentecostal storefront church or a charismatic mega-ministry, what one would expect is that the son of the pastor has the anticipation of being embodied into whatever he is about to preach before he preaches.
I have never been raised in church however, I grew up inside it.

When the Manse, the Parsonage, and the Pulpit Become One

There is a literal or figurative common wall between the Kenyan churches and homes. The sanctuary is adjacent to the manse. Congregants know of the lights on, visitors, naughty children.

There is no anonymity.

The pressure typically takes a spiritual form with the evangelical and Pentecostal background:where…

“You should know better.”

You dare have the grace of covering you so behave.

In any average church it is less flamboyant but equally cumbersome: fame, discipline, respectability. Anyway, the thing is clear that you are more than yourself.

The one who has been richly bestowed will insist upon the rich. (Luke 12:48)

This verse is a sequel of PKs(pastor’s kids), as of a shadow–explained seldom, enforced always.

Holiness as performance

Mistakes felt theological.

That it was not a self-question–a pastoral question–it was, should I not have made it. Should I qualify In case of my failure it was on the calling, the collar, the title.

So I was shown how to conduct appearances. To sit straight. To sing loudly. Not to pray but to struggle privily. But place to cry Scripture leaves.

Lord, why hast thou been so long away? (Psalm 10:1)

It is ironical that the bible would allow investigations that the church would tend to denounce.

Faith Before Choice

Most of the children of pastors are given faith before their affirmation. We read Scripture more than we read our self. Before we understand doubt our belief is baptized.

The confusion of doubting the culture of Kenyan churches with the backsliding is also intricate. Development needs judgment.

I did not reject God.

I wrestled with ownership.

Thou art my God; I presume to recommend to thee. (Psalm 63:1)

Seeking implies distance. And distance, I also knew was sacred.

What the Church Rarely Sees

However, the pastor makes you what you are in the home.

You are taught to be a leader at a tender age -introducing oneself before people. You arrive and visit your parent praying where contributions are wanting. Forgiveness is also observed in the church politics where the politics becomes mean.

Religion is made more concrete and powerful.

It is true that we are pressed on every side, and not crushed. (2 Corinthians 4:8)

These lessons stay.

A Word the Kenyan Church Needs to Hear.

The offspring of Pastor are not sermon illustrations. They are not moral norms. They are not proof of calling.They are children.

Fathers, arouse not your children in the Lord, but cause them to grow. (Ephesians 6:4) I believe that Grace should be modeled not proclaimed.

Natural Belief into Eternal Grace.

My religion is also not so vocal, and it is more introspective and not restrictive. It no longer is driven by appearance now, but belief.

The existence of a child of a pastor is a godly paradox–made by the church, and in a way wounded by it, and at other times very kindly loving it. It is no revolt to tell this story.

It is truth that the truth might still be the key to freedom in all denomination.

Thou shalt know the truth and the truth shall set you free. (John 8:32)