tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post6041321555087761055..comments2024-03-24T04:35:18.581-04:00Comments on Sunday Women: Ministry Wives Need Ministry, TooMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084741256488042140noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post-62285418881483158422012-07-11T10:45:45.522-04:002012-07-11T10:45:45.522-04:00Every Christian, not just ministry wives, feels th...Every Christian, not just ministry wives, feels the pain of a broken world. We have all felt rejection, encountered untrustworthy people, and found people too busy to really care. Whether we are aware of it or not, we have also sinned against others in the same way. <br /><br />By looking to the example of our suffering Savior "who, being reviled, reviled not in return" we ministry wives have a unique opportunity to set a public example of how to act when wounded. We can seek to bring some practical changes, we can live for Christ's "well done," and we can continue to forget what is behind and (again and again) press on.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05084741256488042140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post-90976352383003360062012-07-10T16:44:33.035-04:002012-07-10T16:44:33.035-04:00A body SHOULD function like a body this side of Gl...A body SHOULD function like a body this side of Glory, but I think it is not likely to happen in this culture, in most circumstances. We have forgotten how to act like a body. We are a busy culture that delegates responsibilities to appropriate people because we think it must be somehow better and more efficient that way. All that ugly stuff belongs to someone who specializes in whatever that thing is. So, we have adopted the all-too-convenient mental health therapist instead of elder shepherding and older woman help (I feel I can say this bc I used to be one.) Leaders and their families are naturally under the microscope and sinful natures lend themselves to criticism of the leaders and their families so they can feel better about themselves. Personal reflection leading to humble repentance seldom happens. Until people give up being overly busy with all the seemingly important noise in our schedules so they can live simple lives unto God, nothing will change. This ability to slow down and care about another hurting soul will not develop. Our culture won't allow itself to slow down, to not be entertained, to discipline its mind and heart and will and find the delight of peace on the other side. Sadly, our churches have bought into the busyness of it all, trying to keep congregants entertained more than caring about worshiping God in His way. Churches have a calendar full of programs throughout the week to add to the rest of the perceived needful busyness. We're not content doing the stuff God tells us to do, we feel like we need to do more. We need to keep people entertained and feeling good about themselves so we can keep them coming back, that mega church down the way might steal them if their teens are too bored. The American church is too busy individualistically to be a body. I think when the Spirit brings revival we will see faithfulness to God's Word and worship again, all the extra programs will be cancelled, and people will start acting like the body of Christ again. Wide is the path that leads unto destruction, so the revival won't be popular even in so-called evangelical circles. Those who change will be labeled in whatever is the latest negative label so the rest of the mega church culture can go on feeling entertained and good about themselves as the run blindly after the blind guides into the Pit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post-21488743037213558282012-07-10T15:29:05.316-04:002012-07-10T15:29:05.316-04:00Do you think change is possible this side of heave...Do you think change is possible this side of heaven?<br /><br />If you read my other posts, you'll know I seek to live with an eye to heaven; I'm so thankful for a heart-knowledge of "the highways to Zion" as Psalm 84 says. Our reward IS in heaven. But it also seems to me that the Body can--and should--function more like a Body right now. This is good for pastor's wives, but it's also good for the Body. With the Spirit, I believe mutual trust can happen.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05084741256488042140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post-29412310930829832772012-07-10T14:03:17.455-04:002012-07-10T14:03:17.455-04:00#2 is terrifying to me. Whenever I have reached ou...#2 is terrifying to me. Whenever I have reached out for help I HAVE been spurned, judged, and rejected. This by fellow members in my church and other pastor's wives I love and trusted, but won't trust again. AND the ministry has suffered. People lost confidence in my husband and quit listening to sermons and taking them to heart. Even the elders don't support him in many biblical things. I will never speak up again and ask for help. I've been nothing but burned over and over again. And I can echo Anonymous above in her last sentence. I have prayed numerous times for the Lord to give my husband a "normal" job... only later to thank the Lord for the ministry job we have. I can't imagine a better job, even though I hate the whole being rejected and criticized, living the lonely life on the precipice of poverty part. I will go on finding my strength in Christ, rubbing the balm of the Word deep into every pain. I will remember that this is the lot of those who follow Christ, not to be surprised by it. It has been a very rare thing to be a church leader, since the very beginning of the Church, to not suffer in these ways, which will seem like minor trials in the End. Also I find reading Christian/missionary biographies helps me to keep a good perspective on my ministry trials. Our reward is in Heaven ladies, and that's all we really need.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post-7508119002440441392012-07-10T07:13:28.567-04:002012-07-10T07:13:28.567-04:00I think we have all been there. Christ himself had...I think we have all been there. Christ himself had a very lonely ministry experience, and it is one of my chief comforts that He knows and understands. I prayed for you this morning, sister.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05084741256488042140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post-83506889978782562482012-07-10T07:06:41.983-04:002012-07-10T07:06:41.983-04:00What a blessing to have someone to remind you that...What a blessing to have someone to remind you that your personal struggles are being used for a greater purpose in other people's lives! Another "benefit" to opening up and sharing.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05084741256488042140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post-71706746699922918492012-07-10T07:05:19.148-04:002012-07-10T07:05:19.148-04:00Yes, it's hard to put yourself out there and t...Yes, it's hard to put yourself out there and think nobody would want you. Glad he did!Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05084741256488042140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post-37911056169118432012-07-09T20:07:54.667-04:002012-07-09T20:07:54.667-04:00I cannot tell you how much I relate to this post. ...I cannot tell you how much I relate to this post. When struggling, which is more often than anyone realizes, I feel very alone and do not know who I can turn to or trust. I fear that if I share about difficulties in my marriage, struggles with my children, or doubts I experience in my own walk, that my husband or I will be judged, or that what I say will not be held in confidence. I wonder, quite often, why we are living this life as a pastor family that is full of criticism, constant financial crisis, loneliness, and very little reward on this side of Heaven.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post-31408662634091455172012-07-09T15:58:05.295-04:002012-07-09T15:58:05.295-04:00Very insightful post--I know there are so many tim...Very insightful post--I know there are so many times that I have to remain silent in conversations with other church members. Though I'm blessed as a pastor's wife to have a precious group of church people, it's not often anyone wants to hear if I'm struggling. When I do try to share, almost inevitably conversation reverts to their problems and I again take on the role of listening. This being said, we've recently been through a difficult time with one of our children, and I had a couple of my church ladies reach out to me and show me they really cared. One took me out shopping and then bought me a rose and told me she'd been praying for me. Simple, but such a sweet, meaningful gesture. Another sat and just listened to me as I poured my heart out. When I was finished (and she let me go until I was completely spent), she told me, "You're a picture of God's grace." I'd never thought of my situation in that way, but what a blessing she was to me!!! God sent help when I most needed it, and through my own church family.Uptown Froghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05727506778908514962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028000359711843677.post-32060772147687608222012-07-09T09:08:46.776-04:002012-07-09T09:08:46.776-04:00I requested what you are suggesting in #2. It was ...I requested what you are suggesting in #2. It was difficult for me to ask for an Elder to be assigned to me because I feared that no one would take on such a daunting task. One man did, and we met last week. God is using this in my life to help me in my role.Patsyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07821591671127590449noreply@blogger.com