Each Friday Baptist Women in Ministry introduces an amazing minister, and this week we are excited to introduce Layne Rogerson.
Layne, tell us about your ministry journey–where you have served, what you are doing now.
It is kind of surreal to say that I have been in ministry now for 20 years. Ten of those years have been serving as a hospice chaplain, a role I am currently in. The other ten years I served Oakmont Baptist Church in Greenville, North Carolina, first as Minister of Students and Missions, and later as Oakmont Community Center Minister.
Last year our family moved to my hometown, Cheraw, South Carolina, to live on my family’s property that we nostalgically refer to as The Pond. It is a great piece of land in the Sand Hills that my grandparents purchased in the 1950s. My grandfather dug a seven acre lake and moved an old one-room schoolhouse to be used as a fishing cabin.
After my mother retired she and my father built their home on the property. Now, The Pond has become the gathering spot for my four siblings and our families, and a place we love to share with friends. My husband, Ken, and I enjoy living the rural life: chickens, ducks, honey bees, gardening and porch sittin’.
What have been your greatest sources of joy in ministry?
My greatest joy in ministry has been when someone I have ministered to, says to me, “I see the love of Christ in you.” It is so easy to wonder, to second guess yourself, to doubt. Life and ministry are hard and to hear those words, as broken and sinful as I am, gives me the courage and the passion to keep at it. The God of the Universe has chosen me to be His presence in the world, and at that moment I was faithful. Pure joy.
What have been your greatest sources of challenge in ministry?
The greatest challenge I have had in ministry is balancing work and family. Boy, have I made a mess of that at times! My husband and children have always been supportive and encouraging, and sadly, they got the short end of the stick a lot in my earlier years of ministry. When my children were in elementary school I was serving as minister of students and one day it dawned on me- I am spending more time with other people’s children than my own. I began to pray that God would provide a way for me to be faithful to my calling, both to ministry and family. That is when I believe God opened the door for me to transition from vocational church ministry to hospice chaplaincy. I was able to work part-time and feel as I was being faithful to both. This lesson was not learned without pain and heartache, but in the years that followed, it was much easier for me to set boundaries.
What is the best ministry advice you have received?
Dr. Bruce Powers, professor of Church Administration at Campbell University Divinity School, shared advice that went something like this: When faced with a conflict or challenge you always have four options: 1. Do nothing. 2. Leave 3. Change the situation 4. Change yourself.
The most beneficial choice is usually a combination of numbers three and four, but remember, you always have options. Over the years this has come to my rescue personally, professionally, and as a counselor. Conflict is inevitable, but remember, you have options.