Caring for Her - Encouragement for the Minister's Wife
Caring for Her - Encouragement for the Minister's Wife
A few years ago, someone thought it would be a good idea to recognize March as Pastor's Wife Appreciation Month. As the wife (and daughter) of a pastor, the idea of a whole month dedicated to someone like me feels a little funny. On the one hand, the minister’s wife is not an ordained office of the church (I married into this role and I don’t feel like I’m worthy of more encouragement than the other women I know), on the other hand, I cannot ignore the fact that this role comes with unique blessings and pressures that lead many ministers’ wives to feel isolated and alone while simultaneously being more visible than any lady in the pews–the dreaded "fishbowl".
The good news is that there are some tangible ways to care for these women in our midst. We've collected a short list of ideas and resources you may consider doing for the ministry wives in your life (Elders, Deacons, and Ministry Staff included).
Remley Gorsuch Pastor’s Wife; Customer Support Lead & Marketing Manager, Westminster Bookstore
Browse Books for Pastor’s Wife Appreciation
4 Ways to Care for a Minister’s Wife
Recognize that each minister’s wife is different. Often the largest burdens that she may carry is the weight of other's particular expectations and preconceptions about what a minister's wife should look like. It’s important to remember that she’s just like you – a part of the Body of Christ with unique gifts, interests, and thoughts created to serve our Lord (1 Cor. 12:12-27).
Pray for her. Many of the pressures and blessings that she experiences cannot be shared widely with others. This can be painfully isolating. Pray that she would cling to Christ and that she would have deep relationships where she can be lifted up (Eccl. 4:9-11). This 30-day Scripture-based prayer challenge from Revive Our Hearts is a fantastic guide for praying for her.
Express care and gratitude. If you’ve been encouraged by something she has said or done, or a way that she’s supported her husband as he’s ministered to you, let her know. Additionally, if you have a friendly relationship, feel free to text her to say “hi” or check-in. If you are the gift-giving type, consider a gift card to a local coffee shop, a nice restaurant, or her favorite bookstore.
Resource her. If you're aware of people or places that might minister to her, let her know about them and if possible, see if they’re being funded by your church or if you can help in some way. I have friends who have benefited from a ministry wives network, a counselor, a Bible study outside of their church, online courses, or retreats with friends.
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Browse Books for Pastor's Wife Appreciation
How To Thrive as a Pastor's Wife
How To Thrive as a Pastor's Wife
How To Thrive as a Pastor's Wife
How To Thrive as a Pastor's Wife
How To Thrive as a Pastor's Wife
How To Thrive as a Pastor's Wife
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Shop Partners in the Gospel
Shop Partners in the Gospel
ood resources for pastor’s wives are hard to come by. Over the years, I’ve found the advice offered to us is often too broad (“The pastor’s wife is just a normal church member!“) or too narrow, applying only to specific church contexts. Other times, the picture painted of our calling is overly bleak or prescriptive. This is why I’m so thankful for Megan Hill’s Partners in the Gospel. She gets the “something else” that shapes our lives in ministry, and from that place, grounds our hope in truth.
In Partners in the Gospel, Megan Hill does an incredible job describing the unique circumstances and opportunities particular to our calling as pastor’s wives. Each of the 50 meditations in the book examines a joy or challenge we face in our hearts, homes, churches, and communities. The devotional format makes it easy to read from cover-to-cover or flip to chapters as needed— like “When You Feel Like You Aren’t Doing Enough,” “When You Dread Hospitality,” or “When You Feel Far From Home.” In each chapter, Hill invites the reader to dwell on God’s truth through the good and hard in ministry. I bought multiple copies for friends in ministry and am happy to commend it now!
Faith Chang Pastor’s Wife; Customer Support Specialist, Westminster Bookstore; Blogger at KeepingHeart.com
We have also put together a special giveaway that is especially for the minister’s wife. This giveaway is different from any other we have run before. We’re asking that you enter in order to gift this bundle to the wife of a minister in your life to encourage her. If you are a minister’s wife, then go ahead and enter for yourself! This is one way we’d like to bless you.
How To Thrive as a Pastor's Wife

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