Each Friday, Baptist Women in Ministry features its blog series, THIS IS WHAT A MINISTER LOOKS LIKE and introduces you to an amazing woman minister. This week we are proud to introduce Lynn Brinkley, who is a new member of Baptist Women in Ministry’s Leadership Team.
Lynn, tell us about your current places of service in ministry.
I have the blessed opportunity to serve in two diverse contexts: a National Baptist Inc. church, First Baptist Church in Clinton, North Carolina, and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship School of Divinity, Campbell University Divinity School in Buies Creek, North Carolina. At First Baptist Clinton, I serve as an associate minister and was recently ordained by that church. I have numerous opportunities there to preach, teach, and use my gifts for ministry! At CUDS, I serve as director of student services, and I also teach an undergraduate Introduction to Christianity Course for Campbell’s Religion Department. I work closely with our student leadership, our chapel planning team, and preach frequently at various churches associated with our students.
Where have you served in the past?
Prior to coming to Campbell Divinity School, I served as the lead case manager at Cumberland County Communicare, a non-profit agency that works with at-risk youth. I also served as a campus police officer at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
What have been some of your “bumps in the road” as a woman minister?
Where do I begin? First, the road to ordination was a long journey, but I am so thankful that First Baptist Church Clinton affirmed me and my gifts. Second, I recently was invited to preach at a church and was told I needed to “preach from the floor” since the church had not “officially” affirmed women preaching from the pulpit. I preached a “tad angry” that night but it worked! The church voted the following Friday to affirm women to preach from the pulpit. Third, I have found that it is not easy being a woman (particularly an African-American woman) with ministry credentials. Where I am from, we talk about “haters!” No matter what you do, there will be people who will never celebrate with you, which is why it is always important to remember who calls you and who you serve. God gets the glory in all things, so never allow your “haters” to distract you from your purpose in life.
What advice would you give to a teenage girl who might be discerning a call to ministry?
Queen Esther fasted and prayed before she moved on her call from God. You have to place yourself in a position to worship God before you respond to the call. Listen to God’s still small voice for direction. When the call becomes clear say, “here I am send me,” and don’t allow anyone to block your divine assignment!