Ministers wives are incredible people. Most people have no clue the burdens they carry and the stuff they endure. Most of them have the heart of a lion and the humility of a lamb. Many of them, like my wife, did not marry a minister. I am a second-career minister so my wife married a broadcaster, not a pastor.
As a PK and pastor I am in a unique position to know something about being a ministers wife. However, even with my eyewitness view I still can't pretend to totally understand and appreciate their role, feelings and heartbeat. Growing up in a healthy ministers home and serving 25+ years alongside an incredible partner in ministry allows me to offer a little perspective.
A minister's wife goes to her husband's workplace 2-3 times a week in worship, prayer gatherings, small group, Adult Bible Fellowships/Sunday School, mission efforts, etc. She participates in his vocation far beyond the typical lay spouse. Think about it. Most people do not show up at their spouse's workplace for any length of time and multiple times a week at that. Most hear about their spouse's workplace, but beyond stopping to pick up, or drop something off they aren't intimately involved in their work. So the ministers wife has a different position in this regard.
The ministers wife has to smile on the outside even when she's dying on the inside. She, more than her children and sometimes more than her husband is judged on her appearance, demeanor and outward conduct. If she is short with someone she's considered to be rude. If she is having a hectic day and experiencing a lot of stress she is questioned because church culture dictates she should always have it "all together." Like her husband, and even her children, she is rarely allowed to be human even though her husband repeatedly admits his humanness and people know otherwise. Perception is always on the radar of a ministers wife and the congregation. And as we all know, perception is often far from reality, but many people bend truth/reality to fit their perception.
She is expected to know Scripture, speak to theological issues and pray like David in the psalms. Even though she is not on the payroll she is often considered a "freebie" by many members and expected to attend everything going on in the life of the church. Every time she dresses for a church function she knows she risks silent criticism. Her young children are expected to be "perfect" so if they are caught running and chasing after a service with the rest of the children it's frowned upon. She lives in a fishbowl. Everyone is watching. There is very little privacy in her life.
If she has a meltdown and needs an old fashioned cry day with a good book, chocolate and ice-cream she can't share it with church members. Again, that would be normal and she's expected (unrealistically) to always be strong. She is rarely free to speak her mind because of those unreal expectations and the risk to her husband's job performance. She faithfully gives of her finances, time and gifts to a cause that is often a source of conflict, pain and offense to her and those she loves most.
She like her husband walks a very lonely road. There are few she can confide in without fear of being repeated, or criticized. Friends that keep confidences and ooze grace are treasured more than the balance of a retirement account.
The ministers wife is expected to have the patience of Job and nearly all of the spiritual gifts plus an endless reservoir of compassion. If she draws boundaries to protect her family she is viewed as aloof, or disconnected. If she expresses a concern in a public forum she is immediately considered biased, or petty in some churches. When she opens her home to members she risks the "white glove" inspection and follow-up chatter on the appearance of her home. If she guards her home and treats it as a safe haven for her family she is considered selfish and closed off. See the conflictive perspectives? How does she keep them all straight?
In a young church plant, or smaller church setting she often finds herself serving outside of her comfort zone, or giftedness simply because she supports her spouse and more than anything, wants it to succeed for God's glory. She more than any other human believes in what God has called them to do and while it is her husband's calling, it is every bit as much her's too!
She is his confidant, counselor, cheerleader, best friend, partner in ministry, life, family and marriage. She sees his imperfections more than anyone else and despite them she is always encouraging and supporting. She knows his heartache, disappointments, pains and failures both perceived and real. She knows he always hears more criticism than he ever hears affirmation.
I realize with each generation many of these old attitudes or battles are giving way, but the truth is that every minister's wife can still identify with one or more of these perceptions and realities. She is my mother and my wife----my partner in life and ministry. The mother of my children and the most formidable person of faith I know. Pure grit and at the very essence a lady who knows how to laugh at and with me!
(Please note these are generalizations painted with a broad brush and in no way are meant to identify a specific church. The point is not about a specific church, denomination, etc., but about these unsung heroines. It presupposes the joy of her role, serving, and the many blessings received in years of serving Christ's bride, the church with her partner in ministry.)
Monday, March 31, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
Atta Boy, Atta Gal!
One of the best questions a minister can ask a prospective church committee, elders, or senior staff is: "How does the church affirm its ministerial staff?" I can't recall how many times that answer has found a response of silence from people interviewing someone for a church staff position.
Most people reason, "Well, we pay them isn't that enough?" No, it's not! Everyone wants to be affirmed. A steady diet of negatives, complaints and criticism can take its toll. Affirmation is something churches need to learn and practice. A minister has a 100+ bosses at any given moment. Think about trying to please 100+ people. As soon as you please one, someone is going to be upset, or critical because the thing that pleases one displeases another. It's a no win.
Recently, a minister friend had a medical procedure. It wasn't major, but it was beyond a strep culture, or routine exam. Leaders knew about it, but not one of them called, emailed or stopped to pray with him the day(s) before. One woman called and asked if she could pray the night before the procedure. Other members just "assumed" leadership, or other members were reaching out. And my friend said, "That woman has no idea what she did and the difference she made!" That's a great example of natural affirmation. She was simply considering another.
Affirmation is far more than financial gifts, or perks. Affirmation gets to a sense of value. Little things like notes, emails, phone calls, and "no agenda" lunches mean more than anyone can know. Why? Because they say, "I appreciate/value you." Some of the most successful companies and organizations in the U.S. not only know the importance of affirming team members, but they have made it a corporate value. They celebrate their team members and they do it regularly because it generates a win-win atmosphere.
A precious saint of God now residing in heaven regularly practiced the ministry of affirmation when I served in my first church staff position. I was the student minister and she was well into her senior adult years by then. "Miss Cora," would regularly write notes of affection, encouragement and Scripture to me. She knew we were struggling with two kids, still in seminary and commuting 90 miles from Louisville to the church to serve two to three times a week. Every now and then she would tuck some money into the notecard. Hear me, those cards were priceless without the gift, but she knew it would help buy a pizza or video rental on the weekend because we didn't have the funds to do it.
Cora made me feel special. In fact, for the longest time we thought we were the only ones. Upon leaving and going to our first pastorate we learned that Cora had been doing that for years for everyone, not just me! She was a true Barnabas. Those hand-written notes picked me up, encouraged me in my ministry and made me want to work even harder. And she was a grandmother and didn't have a child in our student ministry so she had nothing to gain by writing me.
One woman used to bring the church staff fresh cut flowers from her garden in the summer months on a bi-weekly basis. They would always been in a vase on the main office counter. I can't describe what that little ray of sunshine did for our staff as we passed by them every day.
Who can you affirm today? Who's going through a rough patch? You never know the impact a note card, email, fresh flowers, or a cup of coffee will make until you do it. Paul offers this in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Most people reason, "Well, we pay them isn't that enough?" No, it's not! Everyone wants to be affirmed. A steady diet of negatives, complaints and criticism can take its toll. Affirmation is something churches need to learn and practice. A minister has a 100+ bosses at any given moment. Think about trying to please 100+ people. As soon as you please one, someone is going to be upset, or critical because the thing that pleases one displeases another. It's a no win.
Recently, a minister friend had a medical procedure. It wasn't major, but it was beyond a strep culture, or routine exam. Leaders knew about it, but not one of them called, emailed or stopped to pray with him the day(s) before. One woman called and asked if she could pray the night before the procedure. Other members just "assumed" leadership, or other members were reaching out. And my friend said, "That woman has no idea what she did and the difference she made!" That's a great example of natural affirmation. She was simply considering another.
Affirmation is far more than financial gifts, or perks. Affirmation gets to a sense of value. Little things like notes, emails, phone calls, and "no agenda" lunches mean more than anyone can know. Why? Because they say, "I appreciate/value you." Some of the most successful companies and organizations in the U.S. not only know the importance of affirming team members, but they have made it a corporate value. They celebrate their team members and they do it regularly because it generates a win-win atmosphere.
A precious saint of God now residing in heaven regularly practiced the ministry of affirmation when I served in my first church staff position. I was the student minister and she was well into her senior adult years by then. "Miss Cora," would regularly write notes of affection, encouragement and Scripture to me. She knew we were struggling with two kids, still in seminary and commuting 90 miles from Louisville to the church to serve two to three times a week. Every now and then she would tuck some money into the notecard. Hear me, those cards were priceless without the gift, but she knew it would help buy a pizza or video rental on the weekend because we didn't have the funds to do it.
Cora made me feel special. In fact, for the longest time we thought we were the only ones. Upon leaving and going to our first pastorate we learned that Cora had been doing that for years for everyone, not just me! She was a true Barnabas. Those hand-written notes picked me up, encouraged me in my ministry and made me want to work even harder. And she was a grandmother and didn't have a child in our student ministry so she had nothing to gain by writing me.
One woman used to bring the church staff fresh cut flowers from her garden in the summer months on a bi-weekly basis. They would always been in a vase on the main office counter. I can't describe what that little ray of sunshine did for our staff as we passed by them every day.
Who can you affirm today? Who's going through a rough patch? You never know the impact a note card, email, fresh flowers, or a cup of coffee will make until you do it. Paul offers this in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Desperate People
Lent
is essentially about God’s people recognizing that we are desperate for Him. As
we apply the practice of the spiritual disciplines we see our lives bare, open
and honest before God. The
fasting/self-denial of Lent reminds us how utterly dependent we are upon
God. Jesus pressing into God and His
Word during His 40 days in the wilderness shows us
what it means to be totally reliant upon God.
He has shown us the way.
This desperation is not without hope. This desperation seeks hope fulfilled in God through Jesus Christ.
This desperation is not without hope. This desperation seeks hope fulfilled in God through Jesus Christ.
Hillsong
United sings a song that captures the essence of our journey. May we chase His heart like desperate people.
“Desperate
People”
You crossed the great
divide
You took our place
You offered up Your life
though we had failed
The veil was torn and love
remained
You are holy Lord
Distraction cast aside we
seek Your face
We offer up our lives to
bring You praise
A love that walls cannot
contain
You are holy Lord
We're rising up in spirit
and in truth
A living sacrifice we
worship You
A people undivided Lord
hear us sing
We are Yours and You are
our King
This is our love hearts
joined as one
Desp'rate for all You
are
Lord break down these walls
And see how we
run
Desp'rate for all You want
We chase Your heart
We didn't come to leave
here entertained
Or worship under any other
name
We're crying out for You
alone
You are holy Lord
We've found our voice we've
found our cause
We're on our knees the
carpet's worn
As we join our hearts with
distant shores
And sing to You Lord
Joel Houston | Michael Guy
Chislett, © 2006 Hillsong Music Publishing;
EMI Christian Music
Publishing)
Friday, March 14, 2014
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
She Loves Me for Me!
To be loved unconditionally is rare in human relationships. I know Christ-follower's are supposed to love this way because God in Christ has loved us without condition. However, it's been my experience that we have a very difficult time loving without condition, or prejudice. Oh sure some of us do a fairly good job at this, but few, very few can go to the point of loving others with absolutely no conditions. Think about your politics, family and culture of origin, education level, morals and values, economic position, skin color, language, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, where you live, etc. Few people have the ability to see beyond all of these. Someone has said that we all love unconditionally until we run into the one person that bumps up against our particular condition!
As someone who grew up in the church I should be able to name hundreds of people who've loved me like this through the years, but to be honest it's not a very high number. Conditional love is the product of a self-consumed culture. It is a product of the fall of humanity. Conditional love maintains its right to determine who is worthy of our love and who isn't. Unconditional love maintains that everyone deserves it because the only One worthy made it possible for us to love that way.
31 years ago today, I married a woman who has always loved me without condition. Seriously! She doesn't judge me, or try to change me. She loves me just the way I am, no exception clauses and no footnotes. Notice I didn't say that she never disagrees with me, or is never upset with me. She does get angry with me and she disagrees with me on plenty. However, she still loves me just as I am. And her unconditional love inspires and encourages me to be a better husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend and person.
I've always said that God is the essential foundation for any marriage. However, I think unconditional love is the second component and a natural by-product of having Christ at the center. Indeed, it is humanly impossible to love without condition absent of Christ. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (Jn. 13:34) "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12)
So on this 31st anniversary of marriage to a woman who loves me in this incredible way I must thank God because He is the reason she can love this deep! Her faith is so strong in Christ that the unnatural human act of loving this way becomes totally natural. So grateful to God for her! May my faith in Christ be as strong! Happy Anniversary honey! Love, Monty
P.S. Don't kill me for the pic, it's one of my favs!
As someone who grew up in the church I should be able to name hundreds of people who've loved me like this through the years, but to be honest it's not a very high number. Conditional love is the product of a self-consumed culture. It is a product of the fall of humanity. Conditional love maintains its right to determine who is worthy of our love and who isn't. Unconditional love maintains that everyone deserves it because the only One worthy made it possible for us to love that way.
31 years ago today, I married a woman who has always loved me without condition. Seriously! She doesn't judge me, or try to change me. She loves me just the way I am, no exception clauses and no footnotes. Notice I didn't say that she never disagrees with me, or is never upset with me. She does get angry with me and she disagrees with me on plenty. However, she still loves me just as I am. And her unconditional love inspires and encourages me to be a better husband, father, son, brother, uncle, friend and person.
I've always said that God is the essential foundation for any marriage. However, I think unconditional love is the second component and a natural by-product of having Christ at the center. Indeed, it is humanly impossible to love without condition absent of Christ. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." (Jn. 13:34) "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12)
So on this 31st anniversary of marriage to a woman who loves me in this incredible way I must thank God because He is the reason she can love this deep! Her faith is so strong in Christ that the unnatural human act of loving this way becomes totally natural. So grateful to God for her! May my faith in Christ be as strong! Happy Anniversary honey! Love, Monty
P.S. Don't kill me for the pic, it's one of my favs!
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Let the Lenten Season Begin!
Tomorrow (March 5th) is the beginning of the Lenten season. It's Ash Wednesday. Lent is a forty day journey for Christ-followers to practice the spiritual disciplines and grow in their faith. The season is marked by intense personal reflection, contemplation, repentance, self-denial and listening to God as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter.
While self-denial (fasting) is practiced during Lent the focus is not on what we give up, but on Christ and obedience to God. Self-denial on its simplest terms is about decreasing so the work of God can increase within us. Lent is not meant to be a ritual, or a legalistic practice. We aren't supposed to make "work" out of Lent. We are supposed to pursue God in Christ through the study of Scripture, prayer, fasting, listening, service and worship. The point of Lent is not to just to "get through it" and make it to Easter. The point is in the journey.
During the Lenten journey God speaks to us about our heart, attitude, service, and our relationship with Him. It is an intimate journey. It's not a public display of faith for accolades like the Pharisee Jesus spoke about in His example of two men praying in the temple. In fact, we should be more like the tax collector in that story: humble, broken, contrite, and repentant.
It is only through the self-realization of how far away we are from God during Lent that enables us to arrive at Holy Week with hearts full of gratitude to God for His gift of Christ to the world. The journey should open our eyes to just how BIG God is and how small we are in comparison. May this season make you and me desperate for God! Someone wrote the following reflection for Lent:
While self-denial (fasting) is practiced during Lent the focus is not on what we give up, but on Christ and obedience to God. Self-denial on its simplest terms is about decreasing so the work of God can increase within us. Lent is not meant to be a ritual, or a legalistic practice. We aren't supposed to make "work" out of Lent. We are supposed to pursue God in Christ through the study of Scripture, prayer, fasting, listening, service and worship. The point of Lent is not to just to "get through it" and make it to Easter. The point is in the journey.
During the Lenten journey God speaks to us about our heart, attitude, service, and our relationship with Him. It is an intimate journey. It's not a public display of faith for accolades like the Pharisee Jesus spoke about in His example of two men praying in the temple. In fact, we should be more like the tax collector in that story: humble, broken, contrite, and repentant.
It is only through the self-realization of how far away we are from God during Lent that enables us to arrive at Holy Week with hearts full of gratitude to God for His gift of Christ to the world. The journey should open our eyes to just how BIG God is and how small we are in comparison. May this season make you and me desperate for God! Someone wrote the following reflection for Lent:
Give up
complaining——focus on gratitude.
Give up
pessimism——become an optimist.
Give up harsh
judgments——think kindly thoughts.
Give up
worry——trust Divine Providence.
Give up
discouragement——be full of hope.
Give up
bitterness——turn to forgiveness.
Give up
hatred——return good for evil.
Give up
negativism——be positive.
Give up anger——be
more patient.
Give up
pettiness——become mature.
Give up
gloom——enjoy the beauty that is all around you.
Give up
jealousy——pray for trust.
Give up
gossiping——control your tongue.
Give up sin——turn
to virtue.
Give up giving
up——hang in there!
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