coping with the challenges of being a pastor’s wife

COPING WITH THE COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF BEING CHALLENGES OF BEING

A PASTOR’S WIFEA PASTOR’S WIFE

The Joys of Being a Pastor’s The Joys of Being a Pastor’s wifewife

The thoughtfulness and caring of the The thoughtfulness and caring of the parishioners.parishioners.

Being married to a man who loves Being married to a man who loves Jesus.Jesus.

A safe home environment.A safe home environment.


Acceptance by the church membersAcceptance by the church members Acceptance and privileges in the Acceptance and privileges in the

communitycommunity Knowing that she is needed and Knowing that she is needed and

trustedtrusted


Easy opportunities for witnessingEasy opportunities for witnessing Opportunities for mentorshipOpportunities for mentorship

The ChallengeThe Challenge

““Being a pastor’s wife is the most Being a pastor’s wife is the most hazardous and dangerous occupation hazardous and dangerous occupation a woman can have.”—Marion H a woman can have.”—Marion H Nelson, Nelson, Why Christians Crack UPWhy Christians Crack UP

The Unique ChallengesThe Unique Challenges

Living under constant scrutinyLiving under constant scrutiny Unrealistic expectationsUnrealistic expectations

– Perfect social behaviorPerfect social behavior– Thorough knowledge of the BibleThorough knowledge of the Bible– Attendance at all meetingsAttendance at all meetings– Ready entertainerReady entertainer– Spiritual giantSpiritual giant


Limited financesLimited finances The demands of church membersThe demands of church members LonelinessLoneliness


Absent husbandAbsent husband Critical church membersCritical church members OverworkOverwork Lack of privacyLack of privacy

How to Succeed As a Pastor’s How to Succeed As a Pastor’s WifeWife

Love and accept yourself.Love and accept yourself. Concentrate on being the best you Concentrate on being the best you

can be.can be. Have realistic expectations of Have realistic expectations of

yourself.yourself. Build your own spiritual life.Build your own spiritual life.


Work on self-improvement.Work on self-improvement. Love and accept your husband.Love and accept your husband. Try to understand your husband’s Try to understand your husband’s

ministry.ministry. Decide on what Decide on what youyou are comfortable are comfortable

doing in your church.doing in your church.


Support your husband without being Support your husband without being the assistant pastor.the assistant pastor.

Be a loving, honest critic of your Be a loving, honest critic of your husband.husband.

Do not neglect the training of your Do not neglect the training of your children.children.

Take care of your home.Take care of your home.


Take care of your appearance.Take care of your appearance. Take care of your health.Take care of your health. Learn to be contented.Learn to be contented. Have an identity of your own.Have an identity of your own.


Make time for yourself.Make time for yourself. Be confidential.Be confidential. Respect your husband’s need to be Respect your husband’s need to be

confidential.confidential. Keep your home attractive.Keep your home attractive.


Develop your skills as an entertainer.Develop your skills as an entertainer. Learn to love all types of people.Learn to love all types of people. Have a sense a humor.Have a sense a humor. Develop an attitude of praise and Develop an attitude of praise and

thanksgiving.thanksgiving.


See your role as a divine ministry.See your role as a divine ministry.

Thank God for the opportunity to Thank God for the opportunity to serve.serve.

coping with the challenges of being a pastor’s wife

Documents