It’s one thing to show up when you’re celebrated…
…It’s another to show up when your presence is questioned or limited. That tension raises hard but vital questions: How do we remain rooted in God’s call without becoming combative? How do we respond with both clarity and love?
Every Christian leader will face moments when the invitation to serve comes with strings attached. In those moments, it’s tempting either to walk away in hurt or to push back in anger. Laura Murray, Director of Spiritual Engagement and Innovation at the Fuller Center for Spiritual Formation, shows us another way. Her story is a reminder that God can work even in uncomfortable places — if we bring both courage and clarity to the call.
A Reflection by Laura Murray
(Shared in full)
I had always dreamt of preaching at a chapel service of a seminary. Both the joy and challenge drew me, and I love speaking to learners. So, when a professor let me know I would receive a phone call inviting me to speak at a seminary, I was ready with my response.
Just moments after the text, I received the anticipated phone call. It was a rushed invitation and sounded more like a mandate was being fulfilled than an invitation being extended. It was revealed soon after that; yes, in fact, I (as an Armenian woman) was a mandate of diversity that was being fulfilled. The chaplain needed to fill the spots with diverse voices, but those voices were asked not to stir up controversy. What an ask.
This seminary held a more conservative stance on women in leadership, and as an ordained pastor, I knew I was already challenging their position. To make matters even more interesting, he told me that I couldn’t use my title of Reverend in my bio, and he wouldn’t use my title of ‘pastor’ to introduce me, even though that was my most recent title. And I wasn’t to preach but to bring an update on my ministry. There were numerous rules, a narrow request, and a dishonoring of me as a person to fit his ask.
The internal tension I carried was the conviction that God wanted me to preach to these students, and I didn’t want to be misrepresented. I had a love and desire to be there. And I had all these dishonoring asks. For weeks, I dodged his phone calls even though I knew we needed to talk.
We finally did talk again, and I told the chaplain that a large part of my ministry update would be about preaching sermons and baptizing my daughter. And I said, “Even though you won’t acknowledge my title, I will use illustrations of being a pastor, and I will preach from a text that will encourage the students. He agreed, and then I prayed about whether to accept this invitation.
I accepted the invitation and preached a sermon, using stories of pastoral leadership and inviting the students into a deeper relationship with God. I loved being with them. The chaplain and I, both using clarity and courage, were able to offer the students the words God called me to preach, and I had the great joy of serving them. Our last interaction ended with the chaplain’s “Thank you” and my “You’re welcome.”
The mixture of joy, discouragement, hurt, call, and conflict all came together in that one encounter. Our encounters of purpose and God’s good work in the world are often mixed bags. From that time, I have learned that good can come through struggle and conflict. And that conviction of call and clarity of communication is critical to navigating these mixed bags of opportunities. What conviction of call are you carrying? Where does it need clarity of communication? May we all walk towards the good work God is calling to in the world with courage, clarity, and conviction.
Putting Laura’s Words into Practice
Laura’s story reminds us that God’s call often comes with both opportunity and tension. Rather than pulling back or pushing harder, she chose clarity, courage, and love. Now we’re offering you a simple practice to live out her words of encouragement in your own life.
Your simple practice this week:
Think of a space where you feel called — but where your presence, identity, or convictions might not be fully welcomed. Instead of stepping back or charging in, take one intentional step toward clarity and courage.
Write a short statement (just a few sentences) that expresses what you feel called to bring into that space. Let it be honest, respectful, and rooted in who God has formed you to be.
You don’t have to send it yet. This is about finding your voice, the voice that honors both your calling and the complexity of the moment.
Ask yourself:
- What am I called to offer here?
- What do I need to say to remain true to that calling?
- What boundaries or convictions do I want to hold with grace?
This kind of clarity, even if it’s just on paper for now, builds your capacity to stay present in tension with love, strength, and integrity. Like Laura Murray, you may find that naming your convictions opens doors for mutual respect, deeper connection, and faithful witness.
Keep Going
At The Colossian Forum, we believe conflict doesn’t have to pull us apart — it can be a place where God grows us in faith, hope, and love. If you’d like more encouragement like this, we’d love to send you our bi-monthly newsletter with stories, practices, and tools for leading with hope.
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Laura’s new book, Becoming a Person of Welcome, is one you’ll want on your shelf. With heartfelt stories and practical ideas, she reimagines hospitality as creating belonging wherever you go — not about perfect spaces or impressive hosting. If her words here have stirred something in you, we think her book will encourage and inspire you too.