The Point: Spring 2018

“P.K.s are kids ...
Love them well,
and be able to
see them for
who they are.”
While many P.K.s remain Christians,
the stereotype of the “prodigal son”
exists. Essentially, a child grows up
in the church as a P.K. and then
abandons his or her faith due to
not fitting a certain mold. Of the
pastors surveyed by Barna Group, 33
percent stated that their children are
no longer involved in the church.
Rebecca Barnett, a cleaning technician
in Poulsbo, Washington, is no longer
involved in church and does not identify
as a Christian. Barnett’s grandfather
founded a nondenominational church in
Idaho where her parents did youth and
music ministry, and her uncle worked
as head pastor. She, too, dealt with
unrealistic pressures in her childhood.
“Lots of people expected more from me,”
Barnett said. “[They] didn’t respect my own
feelings and emotions as an individual.”
Barnett’s experience also shaped her
perspective of church leaders.
“I don’t respond well to authority figures
who don’t respect my opinions or listen
to and honestly consider my input in
situations,” Barnett said. “Also, I tend
to think ministry leaders are generally
arrogant and not worthy of my time.”
While Barnett no longer attends church, she
still sees positive aspects of her experience.
“I learned to genuinely care for people
and to not allow myself to believe that
anything is set in stone. I’m very openminded
to anyone willing to discuss their
beliefs and opinions who is also willing
to listen to mine,” Barnett said. “I learned
to appreciate open-minded people.”
When asked what they wished congregational
members would understand about pastors’
kids, the interviewees all gave the same
answer: let them be human and let them
be kids. Extending mercy and grace to
those who spend their most formative
years behind the scenes in ministry
would lessen pressure on them and allow
for room to breathe and grow freely.
“P.K.s are kids. It’s not that they made
an adult decision to feel called into a
role. They will grow, struggle, mess up,
shine, have joy, be sad, etc. They are just
like every other kid, but with a little
more publicity around them,” Kim said.
“Just as we would with other kids in our
communities—love them well, and be
able to see them for who they are.”
Editor: McKenna Boen
Photographer: Eliana Park
Designer: Megan Josep
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