Top Ten Reasons Why It’s Great to be Married to a Youth Pastor:
By Amanda on Nov 20, 2008 in Featured
10. My kids can use the church as their own personal play ground.
9. During the week I can stop by the church on my way here-or-there to pee or for a free cup of coffee.
8. I can “crash” any Bible study I want, and get a pretty substantial discount if it costs money.
7. When I loose my keys or kids on the church campus they always know where to return them, the High School room!
6. I can get all the free pizza I’ve ever dreamed of.
5. My kids are “allowed” to swim in the baptismal (just not on Sundays of course, that would be sacrilegious).
4. I can get all the Bibles I want.
3. When in a pinch Jeff can bring home some anointing oil to cook with and some communion wine for the guests. (not really)
2. I get to be an example of a loving family for students that might not know what that looks like.
1. My husband, kids and myself are loved and supported by an extended family- the church.
What are some of your favorite reasons you are married to a youth pastor?
Some other perks…
-always having guys that can come help move stuff!
-not having to see “guy” movies because he can go see them with the youth!
-the awkward looks after your husband gives a “sex talk”
- whenever we lock ourselves out of the house, there is always a youth who can pick our lock…isn’t that comforting?
Amanda | Nov 20, 2008 | Reply
-my husband can make late night runs to the grocery store on his way home from churh.
Kelli | Nov 20, 2008 | Reply
The best list of babysitters, you know the ones you can trust. Same with dog sitters. A great extended support system of adults to mentor your own children, usually in the form of the other youth worker volunteers plus church staff.(this is the best perk) Other professions I imagine aren’t on such friendly basis with their coworkers families. On occasion the church van has been our second vehicle. Color printer and copier use for children’s school projects. These are just the rewards in this life, imagine heaven!
Dianna Wissinger | Nov 21, 2008 | Reply
haha…not married to one yet! but engaged!!! as of a week ago!
I can’t wait to be MTAYP…he’s the man of my dreams, and I look forward to all the craziness, and fun things that go along with his position in ministry!
brittany | Nov 21, 2008 | Reply
-his day off is during the week. I LOVE the flexibility that allows our family life.
-900 people know my name and story, even though there is no way I can know theirs! (I love the support that comes from those 900 people, and their understanding that I can’t possibly know everyone.)
-hand-me-down clothes for our kiddo and a closet full of maternity clothes to borrow
-I always have a private place to change diapers and nurse when at church: my hubby’s office!
-I have the sacred responsibility and opportunity to take part in the lives of families…some of my favorite people are youth parents
-I get to watch the results of different parenting styles without having to practice on my own child!!!
Sarah P | Nov 21, 2008 | Reply
- Leftover food from youth events
- His flexible schedule
- People care about you just because you’re the YP wife
- Kids who like you just because you’re the YP wife
- Sex with the YP
Cara | Nov 21, 2008 | Reply
-the “family vacations” we take to youth camp
-lots of gift cards at Christmas time…the parents feel sorry for us
-my 7 year old is a Dodge ball expert!
-getting paid whenever he uses a story about me in one of his messages
**All joking aside…I’m blessed. My husband is a true family man through and through. He loves youth ministry, but his ministry at home comes first and I’m thankful for that!!
Christy Sellers | Nov 21, 2008 | Reply
-The great example youth parents have set for when Tim and I are there.
-The great relationships I have built with my girl’s small group.
-Wonderful youth volunteers always willing to lend an extra hand in planning.
-Having an amazing pastoral staff that always supports each other and has a great time together.
-Having unique and fun date nights to sporting events and band/choir concerts. I love supporting the students in their life “outside of church.”
-Being married to a husband who knows how to have fun and is an incredible spiritual head of my family.
Dana Schmoyer | Nov 21, 2008 | Reply
-My church is a skirt/dress kind of Sunday morning. I can get away with jeans because I’m the youth pastors wife.
-always having a kid to run to my car to get something that i forgot
-getting out of staff mixers because there is always an activity
-having a loving husband who loves the Lord more then me but still makes sure i am put ahead of his ministry.
Corrie Maxwell | Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
Just love this post!
One of my favs is that my husband is naturally gifted with a sense of humor (a must for youth pastors).
Love the flexible schedule.
When my daughters are teens, he will know ALL the pranks, lies, traps, etc. that they try to pull.
He gets to wear a ball-cap to work (he looks so hunky in a ball cap). And goatee.
Being part of the volunteer youth leader team without doing as much work as they all do. Meaning, I get to go to the Christmas Party and occasional prayer meeting (as the kids allow)
We are blessed, aren’t we? I know there’s more . . .
Amy | Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
*sigh* I find these posts very encouraging as this is something I’m still trying to figure out. I’ve noticed loads of you have said you like your hubby having a flexible day off - can I ask is there anyone out who works and isn’t a stay at home mum as most people seem to be? I work, and we haven’t had a day off together for 6 weeks because I DON’T have that flexibility. Anyone else out there…?
Sarah | Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
Oh, many of us work, we have to usually to make ends meet. Atleast part time, many full time. Pray that God will show you how to be creative with the time you do have.
Dianna | Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
*The use of our youth building whenever we want… which btw we had our wedding reception in it and used it for free!!
*I’m my husband’s secretary… that’s all I’m going to say about that… you can just imagine:)
*The youth who know how much we love cupcakes and brownies and keep us supplied…
*Being able to have a great movie night in our youth facility movie theatre room… the surround sound is just awesome:)
Rebecca | Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
-Leftover food from volunteer events (we save the good stuff for them)
-I never have to bring my Bible to church; there is always a great selection in my husband’s office, and I can leave my coat there, too.
-Kids and parents who have helped us move twice over the course of three months!
-Gifts from families, offers for free tickets to events, use of their SUV, whatever! In middle school ministry there is a sense of total indebtedness from the parents for being willing to be around their children.
-My husband has a place to tell the jokes I roll my eyes at, and he gets a great response.
-Kids who say the darndest things!
-Having a lot of influence as a volunteer.
-Seeing kids grow in the Lord… what a great reminder of why we do this!
Sarah,
I know your frustration as a working wife of a youth pastor. We had a time when my husband worked part time at church and I was working 50-60 hours a week at my job. My husband and I used to enjoy his Fridays off, but during that time I couldn’t even take off early because of my work load. It was frustrating to say the least!!! It did force me to manage my work load differently; I tried to get ahead whenever I could just so we could spend some time together or so I could go to a youth event. I also made a commitment not to bring work home (although that was a tough one!). But every couple/few months we would take a Saturday getaway somewhere, even if it was nearby, just to reconnect and break up the monotony of my work week. I don’t know if that helps, but at the very least you can know there are people who understand. Hang in there!
Kristen | Nov 23, 2008 | Reply
Here is some more:
1)My husband goes into work at 9 so it gives us a morning together ( we used to sleep in but now we hang out because our 1 year old is up by 6:30/7)
2)I totally agree with the great mentors for our kid ( we have an awesome youth staff who really love on him)
3)You learn how to be humble- you will never be fully appreciated:)
4)You have a fun husband with creative ideas!
5)There is probably some more….
And yes I do know whats its like to have to work and the opposite days off. Although I am lucky and only work part time but I work on most afternoons/ evenings so as soon as my husband comes home I start work and then ofcourse there are those nights during the week that he is doing youth stuff and I have to work and so our son goes to grandmas house. Also, I lead my small group on a different night then my husband. We are so happy when there is a free Saturday- we take full adtvange of that! It’s hard when you have to have that second income but it’s life- I am thankful that God is providing for us and praying that there will be a time in the future where we can live on one income! so you are not alone out there Sarah!
Angelina Hardy | Nov 24, 2008 | Reply
*my kids get to take home all the helium balloons after any event at the church
*I often get beautiful floral arrangements after an event at the church is done with them (if you don’t know they are funeral arrangements, they are beautiful!!)
*My kids can go play in the nursery and/or Sunday School rooms whenever we are getting sick of being in the house.
*My husband loves his job and is very fulfilled in it.
*We are not growing “old” with everyone else our age, because the youth keep us young!
Monica | Nov 25, 2008 | Reply
lol… I love this post…
I always say our goal is to mentor as many kids as we can because someday one of them is going to get rich and come back and support us… so that’s a maybe someday benefit…
Amanda (but not the official one) | Dec 5, 2008 | Reply
I love all the comments!
- Knowing pizza is its own food group, I can serve it under any situation.
- My house was toddler proof before my son ever arrived b/c the youth had already broken every piece of furniture I have.
- I can feed 3 to 100 teens out of anything.
- Every weird thing we find my first instinct is how can I make it into a game and see what weird combination of things I can get a teen to eat.
- My husband is easy to buy presents for b/c he collects every kind of toy you can imagine for his office…and it’s OK!
- I get to be married to the announcements guy who has a goatee.
Kendra | Dec 15, 2008 | Reply
My husband is the one who showed me this site. Obviously he thought I could relate. Here’s my top ten:
10. The leftover’s from church potlucks come home with us (4 boys to feed).
9. Lots of people are praying for me.
8. The church parking lot is a great place to skateboard & ride bikes (it’s right next door).
7. Most of the kids in our group think we would be cool parents.
6. The kid who doesn’t have a loving family can see what one looks like.
5. Occasional afternoons ALONE with my hubby!
4. I have developed the ability to make a game out of anything.
3. My husband and I can get weird hair cuts and dye out hair any color and it’s ok because its almost expected.
2. Job satisfaction. We get to share God’s love and really help people.
1. Built in baby sitters and guys to move heavy objects.
God’s Blessing to you all!
Jennifer
Jennifer | Dec 16, 2008 | Reply