Call me lazy, but with the start of school (at which I work and just got promoted from paraprofessional to Teacher's Assistant), the start of play practice (of which I am directing) and the start of youth group (at which I am helping) I haven't had a lot of time to keep up on the blogging!! I'm starting to get a schedule worked out, but it's definitely an adjustment period. Therefore, I am re-posting a piece I wrote and published over on Cooking Up Faith a few weeks ago. If you've already read it, I'm sorry. If not, let me know what you think!!
Blessings and Peace,
Sara
Blessings and Peace,
Sara
To the elders among you, I appeal
as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in
the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is
under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing,
as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not
lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 5: 1-3
I met my husband at seminary. He was working toward a Master of Divinity
degree while I was working toward a Master’s in Christian Education. I was drawn to him the first time I saw
him. It wasn’t long before I realized
that I had met the man God intended to be the one I would walk with through
this life. Of course, that also meant that
I would soon become “the pastor’s wife”.
That was not something I had ever planned on!
I remember sitting in a council meeting when my
husband and I were introduced to a new congregation some years ago. After Chris had talked about some of the things
he wanted to do, one of the members looked at me and asked, “So, what are you
going to do in the church?” I completely
froze. What was I going to do? I had no idea
there were any expectations for me!
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to serving the
church. God has equipped me with my own
set of gifts and has given me opportunities to use them in every one of the
congregations we have served. However,
it is Chris who was called by God at a young age to go into formal
ministry. It is a role he takes very
seriously, and he throws his entire being into shepherding his flocks. Therefore, I try and support him in
that. I serve as a confidant, a critic,
a think tank, an editor, a fielder and a fan.
One of the most difficult aspects of being a
ministry spouse is watching the person you love be hurt by members of the
congregation. There can be a dark
underside to church leadership where church members become more interested in
personal power than in being a follower of Christ. I have, on occasion, watched as Chris’
integrity has been attacked and as his intentions have been misrepresented and
miss communicated. It is heartbreaking as
a spouse, because when he hurts, I hurt.
Furthermore, when your pastor’s family is hurting
because of the church, the congregation’s ministry will suffer. It’s so hard to motivate yourself to walk
into the doors of a church and engage in relationships with people when your
family is hurting because of the words and actions of fellow believers. It’s hard for a pastor to engage in effective
ministry when he/she is constantly feeling the need to put defenses into place.
Please don’t think that being part of a ministry
family is not a rewarding experience. I
love this life that God has called us to!
I get the opportunity to love on and encourage people on a regular
basis. It’s one of my favorite things to
do!! I love leading women in Bible
study, working with our youth and engaging in mission projects. We are blessed right now to be serving a
congregation that is full of Christ’s love.
They have adopted our children and seek to love and nurture and lead
them into a life with Christ. God has
given us opportunities to bring others to him, to help our community, and to be
in relationship with many different people.
God is working in the midst of our congregation, and what a joy it is to
be able to work alongside him!!
Now, when someone asks me what I’m going to do for
the church, I know what to say. I’m
going to do whatever God calls me to do in whatever fashion he wants it done. And I’m going to continue to seek him and to
grow in him so that when my race is finished he might say, “Well done, good and
faithful servant!”
Oh you just spoke my words. I really needed to read this today. Sometimes it's just nice to read that someone else understands because it really is such a unique position and unless you're there you really can't understand it. I'm learning that is all about God. Not about us, the ministry, our family....it's all about God and He will be our avenger. He knows we need it, right?!! Ha!
ReplyDeleteAmen! I remember Beth Moore saying in her Revelation study that God is always present, walking the halls of his churches and that he KNOWS all that is going on! :-)
DeleteThis morning on K-Love a pastor was a guest and he was sharing how many pastor's get burnt out because of the amount of expectations and pressure put on them, that they really aren't suppose to have.
ReplyDeleteIt made me think about my blog and how I feel the same way - what are my expectations? It's so different than a job where someone tells you exactly what you're suppose to do and then you get it done. It made me think that in ministry we must rely on God and His Word to give us our expectations in our service, and rely on Him and not man's view.
Hope you're doing well!
I often have to remind myself that the only expectations I need to meet are the ones that God has for me. And all he expects from me is to put one foot in front of the other and to follow him where he leads! :-)
DeleteI can relate to much of what your saying. I used to get insecure wondering if I had the right skills and if people thought I was competent or not. I heard a pastor's wife say one time that her job was to take care of the Pastor. So true. Other people can do some of the other jobs. But only one person can be his wife. Everyone in the church has a choice as to what extent they would like to be involved. I want the same choice extended to me. Our congregation is great and we both enjoy being a part of it. This was a good article - Good job. And I love this blog background. The colors are vibrant and soothing.
ReplyDeleteHey Angie....thanks for the feedback! I really liked this background. I love the books on the chair with the letter envelope behind them. It just seemed like me. :-)
DeleteIt's nice to know that other pastor's wives experience some of the same things. You're right, everyone in the church should have the choice as to where they want to use their gifts.