Denied to Serve because of the covering

[titus2daughter]

I have a huge heart for music. I love playing the piano and I was so excited when my family first joined this church because it was small and they didn't have a pianist and they mentioned having me play. Well after a while we were getting mixed answers back and then today pastor confronted me with it. He said that as long as I continue to wear the headcovering he will not allow me to play for services, be in the choir, play special music, teach children (something I looove to do!) or anything that puts me in a position of "representing the church." He says this because he does not want people to think our church supports that standard or is associated with the mennonites/anabaptist. (something that a lot of people in my church associate the covering with) This really tore me apart. I will not take off the headcovering just to play the piano however I am torn up about it because I love doing this and really have a heart for serving in that way. Encouragement would be greatly appreciated...

[nightingale]

Dear Sister Alyssa...I have never heard of such a thing I don't know what to say I will definitely be praying for you and this situation...Keep your eyes focused on Jesus...Love Sis Debbie

[amy]

My dear sister,
My heart hurt for you as I read your message. You obviously have a passion to serve the Lord through music and to have that denied must hurt.
You have my prayers. May your pastor see wisdom in this matter and may the Lord heal your heart.

God bless you dear sister
Amy

[ssab12003]

Dear Alyssa,
I am so sorry for this happening to you! But it doesn't surprise me. I too work in my church and wear a headcovering. I won't be at all surprised if I am asked to not wear it also when I work in the church. The only thing I can say to you is that if you have been convicted to cover then you must obey God over man. If I am asked to stop wearing it I will just step down and not do the work for the church, but I will not stop covering.
I would really encourage you to stay close to the Lord during this time because the devil would love for you to get insulted over this and then he can get a foothold in your life. I would read the sermon on the mount where it talks about how to treat people who are unkind to us. Also even though it is hard, remember that the Lord works all things out for good to those who love the Lord.
I am sure your pastor doesn't really undestand the covering issue, I think it comes sometimes from seeing the Bible through denominational eyes, hope I didn't offend. Many times people want to say oh... that is a Mennonite thing or that is a Baptist things ect. Well, to me if it is in the Bible as a command then it is a Christrian thing.... : ) and we as Christians should obey.
I sure will be praying for you as you lean on the Lord for your strength during this time. I pray the eyes of your pastor will be opened. Also you may want to remember the Lord may use this to open up many eyes in the church... may the Lord's Will be done and for you to come out a stronger, meeker and more quiet women because of it. ( That is how I try to pray for myself that God will make in me the Godly woman he wants me to be) God Bless you as you seek to follow HIm. Alane

[dragonfly]

OH my!! I am so hurt for you... so many times people don't understand covering, but they aren't quite so upfront about it.. I can tell you are so hurt.. please keep the Lord up front and remember that sometimes we have to be hurt and still stay strong in what God says for us to do..

I do have some simple advice and it is not to discuss your hurt feelings with everyone or even anyone at church.. tell them plainly that becasue you are wearing a cover you aren't allowed to serve God. Don't bash the pastor, he is GOds annointed weather we agree with him or not..

Be strong and congratulations! You are standing strong in your beliefs and unwaivering!! That is a blessing to see.. Praise God for your convictions..

[prv31wife]

Oh I wanted to cry when I read that happened to you dear sister!
I am so very sorry you were treated like that. That is just plain wrong. I do believe that you should obey the Lord rather than man. I'll be praying for you and keep looking up. The Lord is supporting you and will bless you for your obedience.

[jeff]

We'll be keeping you in our prayers.

I can't imagine such a thing. I could see it if it was the other end of the spectrum and you were wearing something immodest, but it's a head covering! I don't see how that could possibly offend anyone.

Have you explained your stand to him? Does he understand where you are coming from scripturally?

[sisterAmy]

Sister Alyssa~

I am so sorry this has happened to you. But you must be causing some people to feel uncomfortable with your obedience to the Scriptures. I would think that your pastor would be proud of you for standing on your beliefs, but sometimes the most hurtful things come from fellow Christians.

I will be praying for you~
Amy in AL

[Brother Randy]

Sister,
My heart goes out you on this. In a small way I can understand how you must feel. A number of years back in our church, we attend a conservative Mennonite church , but can not be members another story, MY wife was wearing a hanging veil and wanted to start wearing the Mennonite covering to fit more in, at that tiem there was some sisters in the church that did not want my wife wearing it, this too hurt her very much. She turned it over to the Lord , he has healed her heart and those sister have since moved on, and she does wear the Mennonite covering now. with no problems.

Christians can at times be very cruel to others, the best we can do is to give it over the the Lord, and not allow the hurt to become bitterness.

Again my prayers are with you on this, stay the coarse God will bless you for it.


Bro Randy

[George]

That is indeed a sad thing to read. To me to be to the side of conservatism which means to live our lives as we believe God's Holy Word says we ought, is far better than following the norm in the Churches these days. I just don't understand the attitude in this Church. My word! Is it possible for your family to seek out a different Church? I know at times that is very difficult but when a person is following what they believe The Lord has led them to do unless it can be clearly shown from the Bible they are wrong they ought be supported in their view(s).

My prayers shall be with you sister. Perhaps The Lord will unharden the hearts in the Church.

In Christ,
George

[benshelpmeet]

Dear sister,

I will be praying for you and for your pastor, and the others in your church. Sister Alane and D'Anns advice was so good.

The only thing I can say to you is that if you have been convicted to cover then you must obey God over man. If I am asked to stop wearing it I will just step down and not do the work for the church, but I will not stop covering.
I would really encourage you to stay close to the Lord during this time because the devil would love for you to get insulted over this and then he can get a foothold in your life. I would read the sermon on the mount where it talks about how to treat people who are unkind to us. Also even though it is hard, remember that the Lord works all things out for good to those who love the Lord.
I am sure your pastor doesn't really understand the covering issue, I think it comes sometimes from seeing the Bible through denominational eyes, hope I didn't offend. Many times people want to say oh... that is a Mennonite thing or that is a Baptist things etc. Well, to me if it is in the Bible as a command then it is a Christrian thing.... : ) and we as Christians should obey.
I sure will be praying for you as you lean on the Lord for your strength during this time. I pray the eyes of your pastor will be opened. Also you may want to remember the Lord may use this to open up many eyes in the church... may the Lord's Will be done and for you to come out a stronger, meeker and more quiet women because of it. ( That is how I try to pray for myself that God will make in me the Godly woman he wants me to be) God Bless you as you seek to follow Him. Alane



please keep the Lord up front and remember that sometimes we have to be hurt and still stay strong in what God says for us to do..

I do have some simple advice and it is not to discuss your hurt feelings with everyone or even anyone at church.. tell them plainly that because you are wearing a cover you aren't allowed to serve God. Don't bash the pastor, he is Gods anointed weather we agree with him or not..

Be strong and congratulations! You are standing strong in your beliefs and unwaivering!! That is a blessing to see.. Praise God for your convictions..




Amen.

Be encouraged! Stay strong in your convictions! Be respectful and humble. Keep strong in the Lord and be sweet. Serve the Lord in other ways, God will guide you. Be a godly example.

Praying for you dear one, oh and I've been out sick and did not get to greet you. Welcome to our group here. We are so glad to have you with us.

Love, ~ sister Darlene ~

[nhisgrp]

This is so sad and yet also uplifting at the same time.

Sad that a church would deny you the use of your God given gifts. That is asking you to go against Gods plan for all of us to be part of a body and use our gifts to edify our brothers and sisters. I Have made the decision that if my church asks this of me I will seek out another place to fellowship were I can serve as well.

It is uplifting though that you have took a stand for your obedience to Christ even at the cost of losing somthing dear to you. I praise God for women like you and pray for more of them.

[allenehatherell12]

Dear Sisters,
I have not posted for a while.....sorry. I know how you encourage activity regularly. I have been caught up in the world...and it is an on going struggle for me. I do come and read on the site regularly and i learn so much. I was sad to read that a sister was not able to serve in the churcvh because of covering. It is indicative of the world we live in though....i struggle and it has been very bad for me these last few months. I was with a lady in my fellowship at the weekend who basically supported earings and jeans and short hair for women....how was i feeling at this? particularly bad as i had had my hair cut short, again just last week. And dyed brown. Better than blond i told myself, so i am being a lot better i told myself. As if being good is the point here. I don't suit it long you see....and i don't want to be legalistic, i do not want to look old........I know. Before you all write to me aghast at my ignorance. I know i am wrong. I know i must grow my hair, let it go grey....take out the earings for ever and never wear my jeans again. I know ALL this but still i struggle. So, i suppose it's best that i don't post much here as i really am so humbled when i read of a sister who is striving to serve Our Lord and is thwarted at the piano. It makes me weep. Really. I am sorry if this is the wrong place to put this. Sister Deb, i hope your ankle is healing well and to all the other kind and loving people here, thanks for standing. George, how are you? i do pray all goes well with your health? I may not write much but then there is a reason for that and never underestimate what you are all doing for those of us who are struggling out here.
Much love to you all,
Your Sister in Christ,
Allene x