Comments on: A Contest to get stuff!! http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/ Youth pastor's and ministers wives community and resources. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:36:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: More Than DodgeBall » Blog Archive » How Do You Encourage Your Spouse? http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-1348 More Than DodgeBall » Blog Archive » How Do You Encourage Your Spouse? Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:26:18 +0000 http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/?p=15#comment-1348 [...] talking with Amanda over at Married to a Youth Pastor where she recently asked her audience how they encourage their spouse and thought we should ask the [...] [...] talking with Amanda over at Married to a Youth Pastor where she recently asked her audience how they encourage their spouse and thought we should ask the [...]

]]> By: More Than DodgeBall » Blog Archive » Encouraging Your Spouse Contest Judges http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-1347 More Than DodgeBall » Blog Archive » Encouraging Your Spouse Contest Judges Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:26:00 +0000 http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/?p=15#comment-1347 [...] Married to a Youth Pastor is running a contest asking spouses to submit their ideas on how they encourage their husband. The readers of MoreThanDodgeball get to be the judges in the contest! All you have to do is read this post and leave a comment on which one is best! [...] [...] Married to a Youth Pastor is running a contest asking spouses to submit their ideas on how they encourage their husband. The readers of MoreThanDodgeball get to be the judges in the contest! All you have to do is read this post and leave a comment on which one is best! [...]

]]> By: Cheating http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-1105 Cheating Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:22:43 +0000 http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/?p=15#comment-1105 Haha ^^ nice, is there a section to follow the RSS feed Haha ^^ nice, is there a section to follow the RSS feed

]]> By: How do you encourage and support your wife? « My WIFE is a Youth Pastor http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-224 How do you encourage and support your wife? « My WIFE is a Youth Pastor Thu, 15 May 2008 18:07:53 +0000 http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/?p=15#comment-224 [...] 15, 2008 · No Comments “Married to a Youth Pastor”  just had a contest on how wives encourage their youth pastor husbands.  But you as the [...] [...] 15, 2008 · No Comments “Married to a Youth Pastor”  just had a contest on how wives encourage their youth pastor husbands.  But you as the [...]

]]> By: Kristy Myers http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-221 Kristy Myers Tue, 13 May 2008 19:19:01 +0000 http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/?p=15#comment-221 I know that it is past May 11th but I'm going to write in cause I think that this is important rewarded or not! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyones ideas and I have gained more ideas for my library of encouragement go to plans. I have been married to my husband for as long as he has been a youth pastor (which is a whopping two year). Since I'm still considered a newly wed I really needed to build up my library of encouragement! What I do is I pick up on what he does to reenergize and see how I can make sure he does that more often and become involved with him. He is very musically oriented and loves to jam out so we jam out together and that makes him happy. I help him jam out at church by helping out at practice and go to youth group concerts with him (I really like family force five performances and Hawk Nelson...I never thought I'd like concerts really, but they're warming up to my liking). I also try to cook his favorite things (usually unhealthy, but I might find new and healthy things he likes someday while I try stuff out). I am his emergency back up when he has nobody else to go to. Sometimes all I have to do is watch his shows or watch him play a video game and if I'm not playing the game with him I act as a cheerleader telling him to watch out or good move or something like that. I really liked it when someone wrote that they gave themselves a boost so they can give their husband a boost, and I find I do that too. We read a couples devotional that talked about emotional bank accounts and making deposits into each others but filling up your own so you don't go negative. I'm currently reading the Bible all the way through so I tell Him the things I like from my reading to share those good times and some of them have helped with ideas for youth group. Helping with his prep time and previewing his messages mean a lot to him, but not more than being a resource to him or depositing good things in his emotional bank account. I was lucky that my dad was a pastor so I can be a resource for him and know somewhat what to expect. Sorry this was soooo long, but I really think that this is important to share ideas and be a support for all ministries. I know that it is past May 11th but I’m going to write in cause I think that this is important rewarded or not! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading everyones ideas and I have gained more ideas for my library of encouragement go to plans. I have been married to my husband for as long as he has been a youth pastor (which is a whopping two year). Since I’m still considered a newly wed I really needed to build up my library of encouragement! What I do is I pick up on what he does to reenergize and see how I can make sure he does that more often and become involved with him. He is very musically oriented and loves to jam out so we jam out together and that makes him happy. I help him jam out at church by helping out at practice and go to youth group concerts with him (I really like family force five performances and Hawk Nelson…I never thought I’d like concerts really, but they’re warming up to my liking). I also try to cook his favorite things (usually unhealthy, but I might find new and healthy things he likes someday while I try stuff out). I am his emergency back up when he has nobody else to go to. Sometimes all I have to do is watch his shows or watch him play a video game and if I’m not playing the game with him I act as a cheerleader telling him to watch out or good move or something like that.
I really liked it when someone wrote that they gave themselves a boost so they can give their husband a boost, and I find I do that too. We read a couples devotional that talked about emotional bank accounts and making deposits into each others but filling up your own so you don’t go negative. I’m currently reading the Bible all the way through so I tell Him the things I like from my reading to share those good times and some of them have helped with ideas for youth group. Helping with his prep time and previewing his messages mean a lot to him, but not more than being a resource to him or depositing good things in his emotional bank account. I was lucky that my dad was a pastor so I can be a resource for him and know somewhat what to expect. Sorry this was soooo long, but I really think that this is important to share ideas and be a support for all ministries.

]]> By: melinda http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-215 melinda Sun, 11 May 2008 10:26:10 +0000 http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/?p=15#comment-215 My favorite thing I do to encourage my spouse ~ we have been together for 32 years.....32 years of ministering to youth....I would say this may not be my favorite thing I do, but I am hopeful it encourages him more than anything. There have been times the Lord has shown me things that he should be doing or he shouldn't give up on ~ like when he was in seminary and it took a lot to continue or when he needed time away and he went to Colorado ~ I sacrifice whatever it takes for him. It has taken me years to truly understand that I need to be set aside for him to do the work he does for the Kingdom of our Saviour. I don't always do it well or kindly or out of the goodness of my heart ~ but I try. My favorite thing I do to encourage my spouse ~ we have been together for 32 years…..32 years of ministering to youth….I would say this may not be my favorite thing I do, but I am hopeful it encourages him more than anything. There have been times the Lord has shown me things that he should be doing or he shouldn’t give up on ~ like when he was in seminary and it took a lot to continue or when he needed time away and he went to Colorado ~ I sacrifice whatever it takes for him. It has taken me years to truly understand that I need to be set aside for him to do the work he does for the Kingdom of our Saviour. I don’t always do it well or kindly or out of the goodness of my heart ~ but I try.

]]> By: Heidy http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-214 Heidy Sat, 10 May 2008 14:45:05 +0000 http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/?p=15#comment-214 One of the things that I do to encourage my husband could be considered something selfish, but it really isn't I promise! I try my best to take care of me! Our last year has been a busy and difficult one, but after reflecting back on our journey a few months ago, I was able to more clearly see that when I don't take care of myself (spiritually, physically, emotionally), I cannot be that support that my husband needs and desires. This is a huge learning process for me, one that I know I will continuously fight... Like many of you have shared, sometimes our "church life" can be very difficult and can cause some feelings of bitterness. I know that when I am taking care of myself, being really honest and transparent with God and with my husband, those feelings of bitterness do not win. And consequently, my husband and I can be in a better place relationally. Another way that I try to support my husband is to TRY to get rid of my unrealistic expectations of him and of church. Before we were married and I was the "pastor's wife", I had all of these mental expectations about the ideal church and youth group and youth (you know, the ones that are always involved and real and well-behaved and never use their cell phones to youth group!). And no matter where we are, our experience will never look like those expectations. But, when I get over myself and my unrealistic expectations, I can better focus on our experience (both as a couple and in ministry) and LEARN! Finally, we are learning the importance of laughter. We LOVE to laugh together. Life in ministry can be complicated and hard and not make sense sometimes, and sometimes, we just have to choose to laugh or cry. Sometimes we choose the tears, but laughter can be brilliantly therapeutic! One of the things that I do to encourage my husband could be considered something selfish, but it really isn’t I promise! I try my best to take care of me! Our last year has been a busy and difficult one, but after reflecting back on our journey a few months ago, I was able to more clearly see that when I don’t take care of myself (spiritually, physically, emotionally), I cannot be that support that my husband needs and desires. This is a huge learning process for me, one that I know I will continuously fight…

Like many of you have shared, sometimes our “church life” can be very difficult and can cause some feelings of bitterness. I know that when I am taking care of myself, being really honest and transparent with God and with my husband, those feelings of bitterness do not win. And consequently, my husband and I can be in a better place relationally.

Another way that I try to support my husband is to TRY to get rid of my unrealistic expectations of him and of church. Before we were married and I was the “pastor’s wife”, I had all of these mental expectations about the ideal church and youth group and youth (you know, the ones that are always involved and real and well-behaved and never use their cell phones to youth group!). And no matter where we are, our experience will never look like those expectations. But, when I get over myself and my unrealistic expectations, I can better focus on our experience (both as a couple and in ministry) and LEARN!

Finally, we are learning the importance of laughter. We LOVE to laugh together. Life in ministry can be complicated and hard and not make sense sometimes, and sometimes, we just have to choose to laugh or cry. Sometimes we choose the tears, but laughter can be brilliantly therapeutic!

]]> By: Jennifer London http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-205 Jennifer London Fri, 09 May 2008 04:06:03 +0000 http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/?p=15#comment-205 I not only encourage my husband (who has been a youth minister now for over 15 years)through prayer, words of encouragement and all that other jazz but my favorite way to encourage him is to give him the unexpected. Like coming home and there being a note on the door saying "enter at own risk" with a bottle of Silly String and when he enters me, our three boys and our two adopted daughters drown him in Silly String! It is so much fun and really a great stress release! It makes coming home fun because he never knows what he is going to get! I not only encourage my husband (who has been a youth minister now for over 15 years)through prayer, words of encouragement and all that other jazz but my favorite way to encourage him is to give him the unexpected. Like coming home and there being a note on the door saying “enter at own risk” with a bottle of Silly String and when he enters me, our three boys and our two adopted daughters drown him in Silly String! It is so much fun and really a great stress release! It makes coming home fun because he never knows what he is going to get!

]]> By: Amie Morris http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-204 Amie Morris Fri, 09 May 2008 02:56:49 +0000 http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/?p=15#comment-204 What do I do to encourage my husband, well, like many of you other youth pastor wives, you can relate that encouraging our husbands are probably not the easiest jobs we have ever been given. :o) I constantly reaffirm him, and let him know that he is awesome, and that he is doing a great job. I fast and pray for God to use him, and to annoint him. I pray with him and for him. I stand behind his decisions, even when I have to wonder "what are you thinking???" God gave me this man to build up, and He put us in this ministry together as a team, so we work long hours side by side. I do alot of his scheduling, and put together lots of other ideas and plans. We love to joke with our Senior Pastor about my husband being the "Youth Custodian", not the Youth Pastor. I also am there, for my husband outside of church, he means everything to me, and being in the ministry you spend lots of long hours, and even have to do lots of things that you would not ordinarily choose to do, so I try to help him relax and prepare himself for the next time up to bat! I try everyday to SHOW him I love him, sometimes words are not enough!!! What do I do to encourage my husband, well, like many of you other youth pastor wives, you can relate that encouraging our husbands are probably not the easiest jobs we have ever been given. :o ) I constantly reaffirm him, and let him know that he is awesome, and that he is doing a great job. I fast and pray for God to use him, and to annoint him. I pray with him and for him. I stand behind his decisions, even when I have to wonder “what are you thinking???” God gave me this man to build up, and He put us in this ministry together as a team, so we work long hours side by side. I do alot of his scheduling, and put together lots of other ideas and plans. We love to joke with our Senior Pastor about my husband being the “Youth Custodian”, not the Youth Pastor. I also am there, for my husband outside of church, he means everything to me, and being in the ministry you spend lots of long hours, and even have to do lots of things that you would not ordinarily choose to do, so I try to help him relax and prepare himself for the next time up to bat! I try everyday to SHOW him I love him, sometimes words are not enough!!!

]]> By: Corrie Isaacs http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/featured/a-contest-to-get-stuff/comment-page-1/#comment-198 Corrie Isaacs Wed, 07 May 2008 19:04:33 +0000 http://www.marriedtoayouthpastor.com/?p=15#comment-198 When my husband travels I hide notes in his suit case that remind him how much we love and need him. I love texting my husband with random notes to let him know that while he is hard at work, I am thinking about him, praying for him, and love him. Days when the kids and I are out running around we will stop by the office and drop off some of his favorite candy so he will have something sweet to snack on when days get long. I try not to ask him how he felt the service went for a few hours so he has time to think on it and then I ask how he thought it was and tell him how great I felt it went. None of these things really show him how great we, myself and the boys, think that he really is but they are some of the ways we try to let him know that we think about him when he is hard at work and wondering if he is making the differnce he wants to be making. corrie When my husband travels I hide notes in his suit case that remind him how much we love and need him.
I love texting my husband with random notes to let him know that while he is hard at work, I am thinking about him, praying for him, and love him.
Days when the kids and I are out running around we will stop by the office and drop off some of his favorite candy so he will have something sweet to snack on when days get long.
I try not to ask him how he felt the service went for a few hours so he has time to think on it and then I ask how he thought it was and tell him how great I felt it went.
None of these things really show him how great we, myself and the boys, think that he really is but they are some of the ways we try to let him know that we think about him when he is hard at work and wondering if he is making the differnce he wants to be making.
corrie

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