A few weeks ago, I set out for the Luce Center at Asbury University. It was the eve of finals week, but something important was more immediately on my mind: the 5-on-5 intramural basketball championship. I found some of my teammates suiting up in the gym. One of the guys asked me how I was. I said, “Braindead,” because I’d had a busy afternoon of schoolwork, and reciprocated the question. He answered with uncertainty about what our opponents would be like – could we pull it off?
It is a unique experience to be a female athlete at seminary. I enjoy competition, and I love how much sports like basketball and volleyball bring people together. For some reason, though, many of the women at seminary aren’t as interested in sports as some of the guys. So, joining pickup basketball games usually means playing with all dudes. They’ve been very kind to accept me into their squad. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy, though.
In some ways, I’ve had to relearn how to play this sport I started playing as a 9-year-old. I learned how to play with a bigger basketball. In high school, I was a center – at 6 feet tall, I had the advantage of height on most opponents. Playing against male post players, I got used to huge guys blocking my shots on an embarrassingly regular basis. Even after nearly 4 years, I’m still hesitant to box out and post up like I would when playing with fellow females. It’s just awkward, and I don’t want to weird anyone out.
Despite these setbacks, I was still invited to join the intramural league at AU. I always tried to do my best, but playing against college guys is even harder than seminary bros. Thankfully, our roster was really solid, and someone else made up for any contribution I lacked. We made it to the championship game this fall undefeated – we hoped to extend that streak just one more game.
After the semi-final game, I walked back to my dorm feeling really discouraged. A less-than-stellar performance and the realization that this whole season was probably a microcosm of what the rest of my life in ministry would be like sparked my despair. Perhaps following my call would mean being a woman in a world built by and for men.
Thankfully, the Lord was quick to extinguish any such thoughts. I always knew being a woman in ministry might be hard, but He has been calling and equipping women for a long time! I don’t know what faithfulness to the Lord’s call will ultimately look like, but I trust that He will show the way and be with me.
Back to the championship: we won! I scored one whole point, which is quite abysmal, but better than nothing. It was a team effort, and that’s what I need to remember: Christianity in general, and ministry in particular, is not a solitary walk. Christ is with us, of course, but we are with each other as well. Where we are weak, someone else is strong, and our strengths can bolster others. No doubt, we will all face seasons of discouragement and doubt, but the Lord is with us, and so are our fellow believers. Thanks be to God!
This article is by Julia Hotchkiss, Alumni Office Student Worker.
Hi, Julia,
Loved your story–it’s such a valuable lesson to learn, that we are not alone, ever. You’ve learned some lessons that your male counterparts will never have to learn–how to operate sometimes in an environment that is more often than not a male environment. It’s not quite as hard as it used to be, but it’s still something that requires some intentionality. But you’ve also learned that the God who called you is with you–and that makes all the difference! Blessings on you as you continue your preparation for the place that God has prepared for you and for which he is preparing you! Blessings,
Helen Rhea Stumbo
Seminary Board Chair