Because we are wives of a youth pastor and we never disagree…

What if you don’t necessarily agree with the direction your husband is taking the ministry, or if you just don’t see eye to eye with ministry issues (he’s in charge of).
How can you feel this way and still have him feel supported?

What do you, as a WIFE, not as a staff person, not as a volunteer, not as a church attender, but just as a wife (that is still all of those other things)… what do you say or do to encourage your husband when all the chips are down? When the Senior Pastor is breathing down his neck, and the elders are not “behind” him anymore?
I want to fight, I want to take on the church. I want to knock on the Sr. Pastor’s door and tell him “what-for”. I also want to say, “forget it then, let’s pack up and go somewhere else.” (I would not suggest doing either if you want your husband to ever talk to you again.)
But its so hard to not be able to DO anything.

Been there?

The Hard Question
by Laura H.

The high school that most of our students attend just got a shock yesterday. One of the students committed suicide. We have a few students that have attended elementary school through high school with this? student, but none have said they were particularly “close” to this individual. Many students are asking questions, seeking solace, and probably dealing with anger and, maybe even some, guilt.? Our students will now be a shoulder for other students at school to lean on. How are we (in ministry) equipping our students to help others through tragedies like this? Are we? Is their faith real enough, personal enough, strong enough to take the hit but maintain it’s depth? Or is their faith built on cushy sand (or could I even be more bold and specific as to say built on silly youth group games, fun events, & activities) that will wash away when a strong wave hits? Or, are we helping our students to know where to turn to when the tough times/questions hit? In a situation like this… when that best friend turns to a friend and says, “How could God let ‘Mike’ kill himself?” Will they at least be ready to say I don’t know, but stand firm on their faith in the One who loves and created that suicidal teen? Will they eventually be able to share about the hope they have?? Or… will they have spent too much time in youth group playing games that they don’t really know what they believe?

Laura’s post really made me reflect on our HS ministry. When tragedy hits any youth group you really can find its pulse and what’s making it tick..the games, the relationships, the pastors, or the Lord. It can really reveal the “health” of the group. Its always good to keep asking the tough questions even if we are not ready to face the answers sometimes.

A post by Jennifer C.

I have a question for all of you and would love to hear what you married to youth pastor people think.

Do you ever feel like you should not have to be involved in every aspect of church life/ministry just because your spouse happens to be the youth pastor?

Many people support their spouse’s career without having direct involvement with every detail of their job.? I love what we do in ministry and am not burnt-out.? Sometimes I have a hard time saying no.

How do you handle saying no to things without seeming stand-offish or distant?? Do you ever feel guilty because you want to say no to church activities?

Thanks for any feedback you can give me.? God Bless you all!

Thanks for sharing your stories and being so vulnerable.

Amanda