What Is It Like Being A Pastor or A Pastor’s Wife?
What is it like to walk in your pastors’ shoes? Does being your pastor bring them joy? Or does it make them groan?
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) says,
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
A few years ago, I contacted several pastors and their wives to learn about their joys and “groanings” and ask how their church members could best support and encourage them.
I appreciated their candor when they shared how difficult it is for them to come alongside us in our struggles attempting to strike the right balance between being there for us and helping us learn to depend on our powerful, ever-present God. It hurts them when people feel offended when they (pastors) don’t do more.
The pastors I spoke with are hands-on and try to stay in touch with their congregation – even when they’re exhausted or dealing with their own personal or family issues. Many of them juggle a second job to make ends meet.
Sometimes, our pastors end the day discouraged, wondering if their labor is bearing fruit and praying for strength to continue. Based on the responses I received, the worst thing about being married to a pastor is hearing people in the congregation criticize their spouse.
On a higher note, our pastors and their wives live to serve God and bring individuals to Christ. They rejoice every time they see someone’s life transformed by God’s grace. Pastors feel tremendous joy seeing that person paying it forward by investing in others. Several pastors said paying it forward is a great way to show our appreciation for all they do for us.
We can also thank our pastors and their wives in tangible and practical ways by giving free babysitting services, a gift card to their favorite restaurant, or a paid fun getaway.
One pastor said it would be an honor to help church members who feel God is calling them to a ministry: “I cannot think of anything that would show me more love than this.”
Above all, each pastor and his wife said they covet our prayers for them. I have no doubt that our prayers could help them shoulder their responsibilities with more joy and less groaning.
Let’s commit to praying for our pastors and their wives every day. Then let them know we’re doing it.
What do you think?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
- How can you show your pastor and his family appreciation for all they do?
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Pastor’s and their wives need encouragement and prayers just like we do; they are only human and sometimes expected to be super human by not only caring for their flock, but also their own families! I myself have sent cards and messages especially when the Lord has laid them on my heart to do so. My choir director, our music minister/pastor and now our minister for the older generation in our church used to mentor my sons as they worked for him on Sundays with technical support, power point and lighting, and I was so very appreciative for all he has done for us in the adult choir and the Christmas program every year as well! We all chip in to give him a gift card for Christmas every year along with a note of encouragement, but when I’m touched by a song on POTSy Praise, I also share it with him. There was one in particular that he used in choir for us to sing! He’s a Godsend and no words can really express my gratitude for all he’s done for my sons and me over the years. I’m eternally grateful! Thanks Sheryl! ️
What a wonderful tribute for your pastor, Kim! I agree with you that “pastors and their wives need encouragement and prayers just like we do; they are only human and sometimes expected to be superhuman.” I have no doubt he and his wife appreciate your gestures of thanks.
What is it like to walk in your pastor’s shoes?
Sheryl I send cards of encouragement to our pastor staff. Thanking them for what they are doing for our church and,letting them know they are prayed for. We have an intercessory prayer team that covers our church staff and family in prayer. Now we have started a standing in the gap prayer time were two people prayer for our pastor during morning worship time. Our Pastor and his wife minister to our church family. They both check on church family members when they are sick and,our pastor has been at the hospital serval times with Lance and me praying for us before procedures were done and,I am thankful for his sweet wife too. It is very important to cover our staff in continued prayers daily.
Thank you for modeling Christ, Susan (and your church)! Your pastor and his wife are blessed to have a supportive congregation that includes prayer. Well done!!
I still have the prayer points provided by Coach Lavon Driskell from your church. Every day, I pray one prayer point for God’s church, including Calvary (your church) and Lanark Community Church (where I fellowship).