What do brick walls, American Idol and ministry have to do with each other? Read on . . .
Lately, I’ve been watching American Idol. Now, in truth since my daughter was born, I nearly gave up television altogether. The TV in our living room (only the second one we’ve owned in all our married lives), goes months and months without coming on. The World Series, the Grammy’s, the Emmy’s. A game or two of college ball. That’s pretty much it.
But then we found out Walker Burroughs was auditioning for Idol. We could not resist. I’ve known his parents, David and Colleen Burroughs since before they were married. I’ve worked with Passport Camps in many roles since they began the camp in the mid-1990s. I remember so well when Walker, and his twin sister Milligan, were born. Through social media and fewer visits in person I’ve seen Walker grow up and heard him sing. Always fun!
And now he’s made it into the top 20. Of American Idol. Katy Perry thinks he’s dope. Luke Bryan says “so professional” and Lionel Richie (my first stadium concert) thinks Walker is awesome! Sunday night he was in the duets round, singing with Jason Mraz. The whole moderate and progressive (mostly white) Baptist world is abuzz with Walker’s success, hoping to cheer him on and vote him to success.
Tonight I stood up and cheered when he made it through to the next round of 14 singers. And next week we get to vote!
Belmont University, where Burroughs is a student, is also no doubt excited, although they go down this road with their talented students and alums nearly every year.
Brick Wall Stories
One of the aspects of the show that captivates me and has me totally hooked are the stories that the show tells about contestants. I’ve been pulling for Walker of course! He’s my favorite contestant. And I am also amazed by the power of the human spirit to transcend life’s challenges.
Each week I am inspired by the ways that many of these young men and women find their way around the brick walls that appear to block their life pathways. Addiction, suicide, abandonment, and abuse… coming back to the contest after being eliminated last year… overcoming physical limits like blindness and rare diseases… continuing through the rounds of the contest alone and sometimes without any clarity about whether their families will welcome them home.
And everyone of these young people can sing. Like nobody’s business they can sing. So powerful and inspiring!
This week’s episode of Three Minute Ministry Mentor is about brick walls — both small and large — that people face in ministry. Watch now to see how Teresa faces the brick walls that appear in her life.*
Week 19: Brick Walls from Eileen Campbell-Reed on Vimeo.
What brick walls are you facing in your ministry?
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- Teresa is a pseudonym as with all names from the Learning Pastoral Imagination data and stories, which are used by permission of the study participants.
