The Preachers Wife

My wife is incredibly supportive of the odd hours I have to keep. Nevertheless, I've always made it clear to every congregation that I've served that ministry is my profession, not my wife's. She already works 60 hours a week, she doesn't need a second job.

Joshua

P.S. Are you interested in comments from Pastor's Husbands? I know a few who could post.

 

I am not a preacher. Don't want to be.

I am not a wife. Some day, I may want to be.

I am a minister, and on staff at a church. I am very thankful for the man (and others) who is (and are) supportive of me and my ministry. I have been without, and I would rather be with.

 

I'm new to the ministry (3 years),but I know I couldn't do as much as I have without my wife. She has held me up in prayer more times than I can recall and held the house together (4 teenage boys) while I was in school and working second shift. She also corrects me when I get stubborn and see things only one way (can i get an 'amen' from the other preachers!). I'm not ashamed to admit that I have cried on her shoulder more than once, and she has never complained. I love my wife and thank God for giving her to me (although at the time I didn't know it).

 

I can say with complete confidence that, if I am anything, I am what I am today largely in part because of my wife. She has been my greatest supporter and #1 fan since the day we were married; in fact, even before we were married.

She has willing followed me around the country as I responded to the call of God in various ministry opportunities. She was their by my side in the lean days of Bible College. She never complained when she had to do without nicer things or try and make a meal out of nothing.

She has a sweet, submissive spirit that makes me love her more and more each day. She has been a fantastic wife to me and mother to our four children.

She has recently undertaken the task of learning the piano. Our current pianist is headed to Bible College in the fall so she stepped up and volunteered to learn to play. She is doing a supurb job. I praise God for such a wife that truly delights in serving the Lord and being a godly wife and mother.

 

My wonderful wife of 25 years is the second best thing to happen to me!!

We met in Bible College, she then followed me to Canada, then here to my home territory in Oklahoma. She has been my biggest supporter, and it hurts her to see her husband wronged or neglected in the church he has served faithfully for so many years. Sometimes she will get a little short tempered and "bark" at somebody about it.

When I went to Seminary, she was the basic financial support for our family for 3 1/2 years, (my part-time job didn't contribute much), as well as everything else, even taking over writing the checks to pay the bills, so I didn't have to worry over that too.

When I graduated from Seminary, I gave her a "PHT" degree -- for Putting Hubby Through.

As we discovered in March 2002 that she has cancer, any prayers that may be offerd up on our behalf would be much appreciated.

 

Well I'm definatly NOT a preacher, and I'm NOT a preacher's wife, but I'd like to tell you about my pastor's wife.
SHe is so precious to me, and such an ispiration to all the ladies in our church.
My pastor felt called to preach before he and his wife got married. SHe wasn't saved, but he thought she was. She put up a big fight when he wanted to move from South Carolina to Tennesse to go to Bible college, but as preacher always says "I tossed her over my shoulder, and she went kicking and screaming the whole way, but at least she went!"
Well preacher took a lay church on the weekends, because they were in need of a pastor, and while he was away she got saved in a revival at that church. Since then, he says she's never turned back when it comes to serving the Lord.
She nearly lost her first child, but even in that preacher says her faith was so strong. The baby did live {and is now our cong leader!} and they had two more {both girls} and my preacher felt that God wanted him to come back to Gaffney to start the church I now attend in 1970. SHe went willingly this time. After about 15 years he left for West Virginia to start a church, and eventualy came back to Gaffney to my church now were he has been since. Through all of this, he says she always stuck with him. She has a beautiful voice and would always sing for the services. SHe is one of those people who you can always count on. People would call their house to pour out a burden to preacher, and if he wasn't there, she sit and listen. SHe'd cry with them, and offer verses from the Bible, and pray for them. She's such a dear lady.
About a year ago she was diagnosed with some type of lung problem. Now she has to wear oxegen, and isn't able to be as active in church activities as she used to. She, sometimes stays in the bed all week just so she can go to church on Sunday. SHe's so weak, and the medication makes her incoherant in the evenings. And through all of this, she praises God. Says He gave her the strength to keep going. She's even been trying to sing again, and it's amazing to watch her. Sometimes she has to pause to catch her breath, but when that woman sings, I don't think anyone in the church has a dry eye.
I know to me, she's been very special. She lets me sit with her at church. SHe sings with me. SHe prays with and for me, as she does for everyone else at church.
I remember I went to see her right after she got so sick. I was so afraid we might lose her. We went to encourage her, but we were the ones encouraged.
She is so precious to us all. Our church is kinda small so we are just like family, and when one hurts we all kinda flock around them, and before she got sick she was one of the first to rush to someone in need. She spoke to the ladies group one saturday a while back, and her topic was on Romans 8:28. I remember thinking: "After all she's been through, knowing she may never breath normaly agian, and really realizing that she isn't promised tomorrow, she stands up and speaks on Romans 8:28. She's just amazing."
In my eyes I guess she always will be. When I think of all the people she's lead to Christ, and those whos lives she's touched, mine included it's just overwhelming.
She'd be the first to say she has more faults than most, and that she's only human, and yes, that may be true. But I think the only way you truly fail is if when you fall, you give up. Everyone has faults, and times when their faith is weak but the real test is can you get back up and go again?
I love Proverbs chapter 31, and I can remember crying sometimes when I read that, and begging God to help me become more like the lady described there. I look at Miss Joyce {that's her name} and I think she's the closest example to that chapter as I've ever met. I look at Miss Joyce and wonder if I could ever be anything close to what she has become. Yet, I know above all else we need to look at God for an example. That was something she told me once, and I know it must be right.
I know I've taken up a lot of space, but I could say so much more. You men thank the Lord for the woman the Lord gave you.
In Christ, Abby

 

Well, I am not a "real pastor" yet (as a child from church said Sunday. But, I am studying and a member of the pastoral staff as an intern. When we were dating, my poor wife said she would never be a preacher's wife. When I told her I felt called to pastoral ministry, she asked if I prayed about it. Her reaction was not what I had expected. She stands by my side and has been a source of stability while the Lord has rocked my well laid plans. Our pastors' wives have been so good to my wife. They have told her it is ok to say no. She is not the pastor and is not a "free assistant, or secretary, social director..." She is my soulmate, and as such spends a lot of time sharing my joy and fear. I hate to admit it, but she has had to remind me to study especially the subjects I am not particularly interested in. (I am not a history buff)

 

Well, I am not a "real pastor" yet (as a child from church said Sunday. But, I am studying and a member of the pastoral staff as an intern. When we were dating, my poor wife said she would never be a preacher's wife. When I told her I felt called to pastoral ministry, she asked if I prayed about it. Her reaction was not what I had expected. She stands by my side and has been a source of stability while the Lord has rocked my well laid plans. Our pastors' wives have been so good to my wife. They have told her it is ok to say no. She is not the pastor and is not a "free assistant, or secretary, social director..." She is my soulmate, and as such spends a lot of time sharing my joy and fear. I hate to admit it, but she has had to remind me to study especially the subjects I am not particularly interested in. (I am not a history buff)

 

My wife was sweet 16 when I married her and I was a ripe age of 19. But I had already been in the ministry 3 years.

For 31 years now she has been my "side-kick" and my help-meet. She has, with God's aid, help mold me into the man I now am.

Everyone one tells me that she is a real "preachers wife!."

Rufus