Comments on: CONFESSIONS OF A PASTOR’S WIFE

By: Mom4Christ

Mom4Christ — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:12:23 +0000

Thanks SelahV, I really needed to hear that right now. My husband just finished bible college and will be ordained on Valentines day. He is volunteering as associate pastor at our home church until God calls us to a full time position. I was already feelling the pressure to be more than I am. What I am taking from your experience is that God will make me what I need to be I just need to get out of they way. My husband has told me many times that my most important roll as pastors wife is to be just that-his wife. With 4 kids, a house, a husband and a position as VBS director I am busy enough without trying to live up to what I percieve as others’ expectations. I think I just needed to hear someone else say it too. Funny isn’t how we sometimes forget to really listen to those who love us. Thanks again!
Jenny

By: selahV

selahV — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 15:09:01 +0000

Amy, bless your heart! God wants that for you above all else. He made you to be you; no other can do what you are doing where you are. I have found that church congregations are incredibly forgiving. But they also, have the normal penchant for comparing one preacher's wife to the last preacher's wife, or the one before that. In general, I'd say most folks just want you to be you and to love them where they are. And that is all we want from them--to be loved where we are. When we practice that and keep the main thing the main thing, Christ, Husband, family, church---then all else falls in place. And God honors our heart's commitments. Love you gal, go buy yourself some flowers and celebrate your place in His meadow. selahV selahVs last blog post..DISCERNMENT...DEVINED, DEFINED, REFINED

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:18:36 +0000

AMEN!!! Thank you for putting that out there! This past weekend I realized that I wanted out of the fish bowl…. I want, my husband wanted and needed, ME the ME my husband married 7 years, two houses, two children, and two churches ago!
I have broken free from the chains, I let others put on me… Thank you, thank you for writing what I have soooo longed to express!

By: selahV

selahV — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 23:22:54 +0000

Pastor Jim, thank you. It's a scary and exciting combination of feelings that mingle within the heart of a prospective minister's wife. As time goes by you learn to let go of others' patterns and become who God calls you to be. No comparisons necessary. Because whereever you are, that's where God wants you. If he wanted Ruth Graham, He would have put her there. If he wanted Beth Moore to lead the ladies Bible study, He'd provide the video. We are each marvellously and specifically made to fit the church wherein our Lord has called our husbands. And that is the best advice I could give a new pastor's wife. Thanks for you comment and your gracious words. selahV selahVs last blog post..PASTOR, HERSHAEL YORK'S PRAISE IN AN AGE OF DESPAIR AND FEAR

By: Pastor Jim

Pastor Jim — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:55:51 +0000

Wonderful post!

For 20 years, my wife had what many people see as the toughest job in the world. As a matter of fact, she had a window sticker on her car that said, “World’s Toughest Job–Air Force Wife.”

When God called me into the pastorate from that carreer, she was terrified. Even after enduring all that a military wife has to endure, she didn’t think she could handle being a pastor’s wife. She looked at some of the pastor’s wives she knew and saw them as “plasticly perfect.” She knew she wasn’t like that and knew that she couldn’t be like that–becasue she didn’t want to be.

It’s not often in our marriage that I have the exact right thing to say at the exact right time–but I think I got it right then. The only thing I could tell her was that God called me to be a pastor. He didn’t call her into the mythical position of “pastor’s wife.” All He called her to be was my wife and the mother of my children.

I consistently try to make that clear with our church as well. Are there unmet expectations? Of course there are–concerning both her and me. But as long as we continually point ourselves and the church to the only One who fulfills and exceeds all expectations, it’ll be okay.

Thanks again for the post!

Pastor Jims last blog post..Edwards Wednesday

By: selahV

selahV — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:40:37 +0000

Dr. Phillips, I'm sorry. Did you mean to post this on another article? Chris Poe hasn't commented in this stream. However, I will take a stab at your inquiry. Only God knows how many Southern Baptists need to be evangelized, which is why it's so important for preachers to preach the Gospel with as much ferver as the Holy Spirit can unleash. I for one, have seen deacon's wives, youth leaders, Sunday School teachers and preacher's kids come to Jesus and they had been Southern Baptists for years. The key is to keep getting them to church until the Gospel grips their hearts and fills their soul with God's arresting grace through the undoctored, unfiltered, undiluted Word of God. thanks for a very probing question. don't know where you planned for it to pop up, but I'm grateful it popped up on this post. God bless you . selahV selahVs last blog post..PASTOR, HERSHAEL YORK'S PRAISE IN AN AGE OF DESPAIR AND FEAR

By: Dr. David Phillips

Dr. David Phillips — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:15:01 +0000

Concerning Chris Poe’s comment:
I wonder how many Southern Baptists need to be evangelized???
Just an honest inquiry!!

By: selahV

selahV — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:18:42 +0000

David, thanks for telling us about that book. I am going to go order it right now. I loved being a pastor’s wife. I loved all of it, even when I didn’t like part of it. God used it to sanctify my life and grow me. Just hope I didn’t do too much damage to his sheep as I learned my lessons. selahV

By: David R. Brumbelow

David R. Brumbelow — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:10:50 +0000

Hannibal Books has just published a biography of Manley Beasley.

And, good article, SelahV. Pastor’s wife is one of the most demanding jobs. One that I think God richly rewards in this life, and the life to come.
David R. Brumbelow

By: selahV

selahV — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:21:18 +0000

Hello Barry, No, I do not know the other people you mention. I do remember studying and still have a copy of Manley Beasley's workbook on Faith. It is absolutely one of the greatest helps for those who struggle with their faith and how to dissect it's very nature. I hope my post did not imply that I know or knew Miss Bertha in any way other than her inspirational message at Ridgecrest where I first believe God called me to full-time ministry through her praying for laborers. If I did, forgive me. I read her book on How the Spirit Filled My Life. And her words were used in a mighty mighty way with me and folks in New England who read it. She is a true saint of God. I am grateful to the Lord for the blessing of hearing her in North Carolina as a babe in Christ. I welcome you to share any testimonials of times with those you know. I have another website where I'd love to spotlight those kinds of memories. Manley Beasley will live in my mind as a man who didn't just write about faith, but understood it and proved it's power. Thanks so much for commenting. selahV selahVs last blog post..DELETE OR NOT DELETE?