Worship, Lead, Grow
This blog is about a journey we are all on. It’s my experiences, ideas, passions, victories and failures as a Worship Pastor, Husband, Christian and artist. My hope is to encourage and motivate those on the same journey and hopefully have some fun along the way.
Lessons Learned: Partners in life and ministry?
This is an entry for the “Lessons Learned” series. This series is all about the lessons I have learned through experience and mentorship. My hope is that maybe some of these lessons will be helpful and make it possible for some to learn without having to go through the actual “experience” which, at times, can be very difficult.
I
grew up in church. My Dad was a pastor, and a lot of my family members where pastors and leaders. Something I never noticed but now realize, is that my mom and other pastors wives, were just as deeply invested in the lives of the people of the church, and the overall ministry as their husbands were.
Fast forward to the day I was hired at my church, there was a comment made that they were hiring me, not my wife, so she need not feel obligated to be at everything and spend 50 hrs a week at church. The point of that comment was to make sure Natalie knew she was not “required” to “work” but if she wanted to she obviously could. That really meant a lot to me but let me just tell you, I would go nuts without her help!
I was once given the advice that whomever I marry could either make or break me in ministry. I now see the validity of that piece of advice! I am blessed to have a wife who has a heart for people and for ministry. She is a talented singer and loves to talk to and love on people. She is my support and confidant. I am able to unload the heavy burdens I face and have without the fear of a breach of confidence. At this point I think the church just keeps me around so they can have her
Your partner in life is your partner in ministry. In fact, your life and ministry are deeply entangled. If a women were to come to me with problems in her marriage, I am able to refer her to Natalie who would give much better advice than I could. When the sound guy doesn’t show up, she is able to run back there and “man” the board for the service. Preschool teacher went home sick? Call Natalie. Need help with an event or project, lets ask Natalie.
I don’t say all this to toot Natalie’s horn, if you know her you know she doesn’t need it anyway. I also want to add that my wife does know how to say “no” which is also important to do. I just wanted to emphasize the importance of your spouse in ministry. If you are a female pastor, this applies the same way.
