Meet Kristin Mockler Young

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristin Mockler Young. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kristin, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

As a female pastor who doesn’t fit the mold, I am often the only one in the room who looks like me. Even if there are other women in the room, my clothes, lipstick and laugh are likely louder than theirs. I never planned to be in ministry and I never went to seminary, but here I am, an ordained pastor, who speaks to our full congregation on a regular basis, plus at other churches and conferences. Because I’m an achiever, I’m not sure I’ll ever feel fully successful, but there are a few things I’ve learned when the outside voices tell me to get in the box. (If you’re picturing Will Ferrell and Margot Robbie in The Barbie Movie, you’re 100% with me.)

First, I had to change my definition of success. Our natural metric is what we can measure: How many people were there? How many minutes did you speak? How much did you get paid? How many likes, comments and shares did it get online? When you’re the only one in the room who looks like you, you’re already playing a different game. If the success of the “normative” majority around you is the standard you’re trying to achieve, you’re setting yourself up for failure. You’re different, so your success will be, too. For me, I adopted the phrase “For the One.” Because I remember that if I inspire, challenge, encourage or help just one person think differently, it was a win. It also helps me to remember – especially when the critics are louder than those who were impacted – the only opinion that really matters is the One who created me. And He did this on purpose.

You were created to be who you are on purpose. Your quirks, what makes you different, the things you’re tempted to hide in order to blend in…someone else feels the exact same way but hasn’t learned to accept themselves yet. When you show up and live out loud, exactly as you are, you give other people permission to do the same. You show other people that nothing about who or how they are is going to hold them back from being in the room, at the table. Your personality, your style, the way you look, the way you explain concepts are all things you can use to fuel your confidence. One of the biggest measures of success is believing in yourself and carrying yourself in a way that says “I belong here. I deserve to be here. I will do what only I can.” And then, even on the days when you’re unsure, no one will be able to see the doubt under the persona of who you are. Your uniqueness isn’t something to shy away from, it’s your superpower that’ll get you through.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

No one ever expected me to be a Pastor, including myself. I love fashion and pop culture and bright colors and laughing. But God moved me out of teaching in a kindergarten classroom to teaching in the church. I get to help lead a diverse, joyful community called Mosaic where people from different lifestyles, political parties and backgrounds come together under the unifying grace of God.

I have a heart for all people, but especially the misfits – people who feel overlooked or oppressed. I want to help them know that they are loved AND I want to teach other people to see them as well. Because Jesus loves all people, I strive to help create a world where that love is lived out equally for everyone.

I like to challenge people to think in new ways, with nuance and context. When I preach, teach and write, I present scripture in a new way so God can show people things they’ve never seen before. I remove all the pretense to make Jesus accessible and relatable, so even people who don’t have much knowledge about faith will find a relationship with Him inviting and practical.

I’m often referred to as people’s “InstaPastor” because I love finding new friends on Instagram. I use reels and posts to laugh at myself, educate people, and challenge Christians to live more like Jesus. I also pastor people through tough situations in DMs. I’m @KristinMocklerYoung on Insta and have longer form writing at TurningTheGem.substack.com

I host a podcast called Becoming Church where I encourage listeners to not just be Christians, but to become the church Jesus called us to be. Through conversational interviews with authors, influencers, pastors, comedians and therapists, I help listeners see that God really is in every aspect of their lives. And we get to live in such a way that helps others see Him in the crevices of their lives, too.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Know your content. Whatever your area of expertise is, research, study and be confident in it. That includes knowing how other people may see it differently so you can defend or explain it to people who don’t understand or disagree with you. Become an expert in your area and leave the rest to someone else. You don’t have to know everything about everything and it’s okay to not engage with questions that aren’t your expertise.

Know your audience. You’d present your content differently in a room of doctoral professors or a room of preschoolers. Changing your wording, style or presentation doesn’t make you a sell-out or a fake. It means you’re smart. Know who it is you’re talking to so you can meet them at their level.

Know your voice. Whether it’s in speaking, writing or visual presentation, figure out your style. Just because no one else is doing it like you’re doing it doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong – it probably means there are people out there who need to hear from you. If it doesn’t feel like you, switch it up until you find what fits.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

A friend of mine’s father told her “I trust you and I trust Holy Spirit in you.”

Whether or not faith is important to you, trust is. Telling our kids that we trust them and the decisions they make is one of the most empowering gifts we can give them. They will have plenty of voices in the world telling them they can’t be president or an astronaut or create an invention that solves world hunger. There will be plenty of voices telling them to be less, be more, be different to fit in. As parents or people who get to influence the next generation, our focus should be fostering confidence in who they are as people, with no limits from their gender, size, ethnicity, ability or otherwise. We can encourage them – literally putting courage into them – by giving them freedom to become exactly who they were made to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://TurningTheGem.substack.com
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/kristinmockleryoung/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9HntKvc2z3TqwZafwn2E-yhOQSK0Pkch&si=d1-xDDoDuFoANxf8
• Other: https://becomingchurch.tv