Help! One more time, let me go over what Ive talked about so far. Pros and Cons of being a pastor? What are the chances of - Reddit Therefore, becoming a pastor can also be great for you if you dont want to work in a physical manner and if you also want to protect your body from adverse consequences in the future. You might have to mow the lawn, for instance, if no one does it and you want it done. Far from a diminutive role, the word "helper" often refers to the help we have from the Lord ( Ps. As one will not learn several skills which are valuable in finding another job, one will get stuck in this field forever. Being a pastor has its uniquedisadvantages - Baptist Spirituality Moreover, while few people like working in the evening, all others do not perform during those times that well. You dont get a do-over because you chose to stay instead of run from a problem. Pastors usually need to be highly organized because there are a lot of demands on their time. It can be challenging to find the balance between supporting your spouses ministry and taking care of your own needs. Moreover, one will not have a boss who will be keeping an eye on performance and will look over the shoulder all day long. Especially people who donate a lot of money, and who feel like they have a right to your time. Calling or Not? - Leading and Loving It Should I visit everyone in the hospital? It matters especially to those people in your church who are under your leadership. Therefore, while most other people in the world suffer from depression and burnout which comes with their profession, one will have a comparatively relaxed life and enjoy their work. It is the rare pastors wife who has access to the years of biblical training that her husband has had. You will be seen as a community leader even by people who may not share your beliefs. Problems to unplug from work. Decent since pastors are not replaceable by machines as many other people are. 1. However, Ive quit pretty soon after that since I havent found true meaning in my job. While church tries to become more modern, it is still a rather conservative institution and you should therefore not expect that your new and fancy ideas will be appreciated that much. You think about becoming a clergyman but are not sure whether this is a good idea or not? I believe the greatest spiritual gift she can give to her church is to love and care for her pastor-husband in all the ways that only a strong, Spirit-filled wife can. Stick with me since I will show you all the pros and cons of being a pastor in the following chapters. Milton Stubbs - "The Slap Heard Around the World" - Matthew 26:57-68 She could use your help! You get aware of the fact that those bad things could also have happened to you and you will be really thankful for every day that you dont have to deal with those things. While you can really make a positive impact on the lives of many people by listening to their problems and giving them advice, it can also be really exhausting to do so in the long run. Its a privilege to walk alongside someone in their spiritual journey and witness the transformation that takes place. You should also be aware of the fact that it will be almost impossible for you to start your own business as a clergyman. For most pastors, it is more of a lifestyle than a job. It is such a blessing to be cared about. In the following paragraphs, we will explore these challenges in greater detail, offering insight and encouragement for those who may be struggling to find their place as a pastors wife. Summary of the Pros and Cons. Many times the children and wife have to forgo family time on public holidays, Christmas, and other school holidays because they have church commitments and events. However, with these rewards come challenges, including the difficulty of balancing multiple roles and navigating the highs and lows of ministry. When a long-time friend or supporter decides to leave the church, the painis deeper for a long-tenured pastor than it is for the man who moves frequently. It is like being in management, but you can never fire or discipline anyone. However, with the right support system and a willingness to grow and learn, you can navigate through these challenges. You are, by default, a community leader, and what you say will matter to a lot of people. An important reason some people are looking at you. Balancing family life and ministry can be challenging, but prioritizing self-care and finding support can help. And since it's safe to assume that every single pastor's wife is different from the next, it is clear I cannot in any way write this for the whole lot of us out there. A Pastor's Wife Must Cope with Criticism Almost every pastor's wife I've spoken with has listed coping with criticism as her top challenge. It means that they have to be prepared to work all the time. You will always have to read and study to prepare sermons and that takes time. My daughters had the same friends from kindergarten through high school graduation. Pastors can make good money. Discover the ups and downs of double barrel names. Having people you can trust to confide in and lean on during difficult times can make all the difference. 15 confessions from a pastor's wife | Meg Marie Wallace Rest assured that your pastors wife can feel the unintended but real pressures from her church family to have a sparkling marriage and exemplary children. Opened doors Though it is emotionally challenging, it gives us purpose in their work as they know their work is important for people. Jani Ortlund is the author of Help! Im Jane Smith and Im happy to tell you every time we meet if that would help lift any burden from your overloaded shoulders. And then do tell her your name the next time and the next and the next. She noted, however, that in many black churches, the idea of the pastor's wife being referred to as "first lady" has complicated the true leadership roles that women can play in churches. Maintaining your identity and interests while supporting your spouses ministry can be challenging. Gotta love the parking space. There is stability in the church family. While this is not a problem if you are fine with the role of an employee, it can be detrimental to people who love to be their own boss and for whom starting their own business has always been a dream. In fact, most pastors are not allowed to take part in those things and this can be really frustrating, especially if you always wanted to have children. People are susceptible to believing all sorts of misconceptions about the purposes and practices of marriage. (When a pastors wife who was known to be shy and quiet passed away, the turnout for her funeral surprised her family. There is a depth of relationship with people with whom you have shared joys and sorrows, disappointments and successes. In many jobs, you dont see tangible results of your work. One of the biggest challenges of being a pastors wife is making personal sacrifices for the sake of the ministry. There is no office of "pastor's wife" in the Bible. When you are not looking, a sense of personal ownership of the church can creep in, and where you serve can become my church rather than the church God has blessed me to pastor. Discover the advantages and disadvantages of finding birth parents. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. Pray for your pastor, his wife and his children. You get to watch generations be born, grow, marry, and invest in the kingdom. the purpose of proclaiming the gospel through publishing Ron Pracht has served at Olivet Baptist Church in various capacities since 1973, most notably as their senior pastor from 1989 to 2015. In turn, apart from your actual work as a pastor, you will likely have some additional things to do which may eat up your leisure. You witness firsthand the lives that are changed and the hope that is brought to those who seek guidance and comfort. They get to counsel young women, help them out of tough situations, and play a part in their spiritual development. 3 Challenges of Being a Pastor's Wife - Lifeway Please try again later. Jani, a former schoolteacher, holds a masters degree in education and serves as executive vice president at Renewal Ministries (ortlund.net). They love chatting about what she wore, what she is doing, or how she behaves in a specific situation. Having earned a degree in Journalism, Jason brings his expertise in effective communication and analytical thinking to the table. You can avoid physical work. The Ortlunds have four children and fifteen grandchildren. A woman, she argued, should not be treated as a pastor simply because she is married to one. Your email address will not be published. Should You Pass Your Church to Your Son (or Daughter)? - Christianity Today You learn to stand and fight rather than give up and run when opposition comes against you. This is a good job for people who are self-motivated and have a good idea of what they want to accomplish. Your pastors wife loves and serves the flock her husband leads, yet at the same time needs to protect their children from the inevitable criticism that filters down to her about them. Pastor is the local leader of Christian adherents who counsels people and gives advice on religious matters. Screen-Shot-2023-03-13-at-3.39.22-PM - Encouraging and Supporting the Read more! After getting everyone there, she will most likely sit alone. 1. You have to think about what you do whenever you are in public, which is most of the time. I think being a pastors wife, like everything, comes with its own set of unique challenges and rewards. 1. If the pastor and wife can work together harmoniously, it can be a great blessing to the church. Balancing priorities is key. In todays day and age, with the cost of things being what they are, this is quite a relief for the pastor and his wife. Only men The Rev. Trust grows stronger every year you stay. Read about her seasons of joy and contentment and her seasons of loneliness and despair. Youre gonna love serving in ministry as a pastors wife theres nothing like the rewarding feeling of making a positive impact on peoples lives. Let me give you a peek into her heart because these pressures require her to confront some unique challenges. In turn a pastor is able to work without those issues. This is based on a model of ecclesiology in which it is assumed that there was one elder in the ancient church. I once had someone request help and I had her follow me to my ATM only to find out later the church had already given her money. You should also not underestimate the amount of money you can make from your job as a pastor. Still, the confusion about what to do or where to stand is true across the board. Now that you know all the advantages and disadvantages of being a pastor, it is on you to decide whether you still want to go this career path or if you want to go for other jobs in the corporate world instead. Pros of Becoming a Pastor. Learn more or donate today at, Help! Everyone is watching you, and there are people who love nothing more than seeing a pastor mess up. Youre not alone in this journey. Pastors help people with spiritual issues, and often give financial help to people in need. Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for While this may seem quite normal to you, there are still many people out there who will not have the luxury of working indoors. Formally, I don't believe there should be extra expectations placed on a pastor's wife. You get to know your people more intimately because you walk with them over a long period of time. Depression can be quite as fiery a trial as any other. Pros and Cons of being a pastors' wife - Encouraging and Supporting the Church First Lady Pros and Cons of being a pastors' wife I've been a pastor's wife for almost 20 years. You will also be expected to keep up to date on community and national issues. Kim . Encouraging and Supporting the Church First Lady. Yet, you will just not have to deal with the same workload as people in the corporate world who often have to work 50 hours+ per week. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. I remember early on in ministry when I was geared up to take on the world, He told me to be still. In retrospect, it makes so much sense why He led me in that direction. Husband and wife co-pastors are trending, but scholars dispute whether These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In other words, get to know her as a real person and a friend, not just as your pastors wife. The Pleasures and Pressures of being a Pastor's Wife Offer her the space she needs as she raises her family to love Christ first while under public gaze. Pros of Dating a Pastor For someone with a religious inclination, there are many pros and blessings that come with dating a pastor. Im Married to My Pastor: Encouragement for Ministry Wives and Those Who Love Them. Who Should Run the Church? A Case for the Plurality of Elders A matrimonial ad in one of the more popular Christian magazines read Looking for a suitable groom, height: anything above 5.6 feet; job: should be earning enough to look after himself + 1; complexion: vanilla or dark cocoa is fine, spirituality: God should come first, me second, everything else afterwards. **Pastors please excuse. You need a college degree for becoming a pastor in most regions. Read what I think about the pros and cons of being a pastor's wife. Lets lay these myths to rest. You will be expected to live an almost perfect life and any slip-up will be talked about. Ive been a pastors wife for almost 20 years. However, if the Lord calls a man into the ministry, He calls . Shady, but its true. Pros And Cons Of Being A Pastor's Wife By Jason Peterson June 16, 2023 Have you ever heard the saying, 'Behind every great man is a great woman?' As a pastor's wife, you know this to be true. People from her husband's work don't approach her with a complaint about a decision or to "put a bug in your ear" with hopes she will pass along the information to her husband. Lets take a look at the joys and sorrows of being a pastors wife. You can mold your church into what you want it to be, but realize you may chase people away if you get too extreme. It would help when she is asked to bring the devotional at the next baby shower, or to teach the 8th grade girls Sunday School class, or to lead the new Bible study for the . But I also remember many evenings during those seminary years when I would fight envy as Ray studied his Greek and Hebrew texts or wrote a paper on some fascinating theological question while I worked on correcting papers and revising lesson plans for my second-grade class. She will never be too well-connected for that kind of relationship. (Wait, that can be an advantage as well!). Cookies enable you to enjoy features such as social sharing. When you encourage people, it likely means something to people and a lot of it has to do with the fact that youre married to your husband. Additionally, expectations versus reality can be a difficult balancing act. When navigating disagreements with your spouse about church decisions, remember to maintain unity. Hebrews 13:17 seems to imply that leaders will have to give an account for the souls of those under them. Jason Peterson is an experienced content writer and researcher at Pros and Cons Guru. 4 Simple Things You Can Do to Encourage Your Pastor's Wife - Crosswalk This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Thus, while many other people enjoy their leisure or make nice weekend trips, you will often have to work as a parson and this can become really annoying in the long run. In turn, there will be no reason at all to let you go and you will likely stay in this position as long as you want. I have gotten used to it now, but at any given time, I know someone is peeping at mechecking me out or just looking at me because they love me. The joys of being a pastors wife do not require as much explanation as some of the pesky cons I listed above. 2. People want to invite the pastor to lunch or dinner. 28 Holy Pros & Cons Of Being A Pastor " When you go to church, if the pastor at some point doesn't make you laugh, he probably ain't gonna make you join. Don't break and quit and get offended. Another downside to becoming a pastor is that you will also have to speak in front of many people. More information is available on our Privacy Policy. And then, from 1989 until 2015, he served as Olivets senior pastor. Business, marketing, and blogging these three words describe me the best. As a pastors wife, you are privy to a unique perspective on ministry. A few reasons cited were, They dont earn enough or they dont earn at all, They are always busy with ministry, family time is never a priority,They make plans on the go, you have to attend every service in church by default come rain or shine, The wife is expected to cook for unlimited guests. These all sound like genuine concerns. Get to perform joyous rituals and ceremonies (baptisms, marriages, etc.)*. On Thriving in Times of Loss, with Kristin Schmucker (Priscilla Talk, Ep. Its important to remember that youre only human, and its okay to set boundaries and take time for yourself. A pastor also needs to be very flexible. You will find that it is extremely satisfying to be able to witness the change your ministry has brought about and reflect on all the successes that have taken place under your pastors wifes influence. He is dedicated to providing accurate, well-researched content that empowers readers to make informed decisions. You truly learn to love people as you walk with them in good and bad times. There is little, if any, actual physical labor to do. When ones life is gauged through the lens of a microscope, it can get very stressful. Read now!. But even those churches that have more than one elder (the pastor being one of them) usually regard the pastor as the de facto head of the church. You matter! Another disadvantage of working as a pastor is that you may also be responsible in terms of funding. 1. Yet, you will also not have to worry about money that much and will be able to afford a decent lifestyle. But have you asked whether your wife is ready? There is always something that needs your attention or someone who needs you to do something for them. Hence, before becoming a pastor, make sure to develop a stable mindset to deal with all those issues in an emotionally healthy manner. Hence, make sure that that working in this field is really your passion to avoid becoming unmotivated in the long run. That could be up to eight years of schooling after high school. Thus, make sure to develop a stable mindset to deal with those snarky comments in an emotionally healthy manner. Learn more in this must-read article! You have a great big family comprised of your church congregation. Being a pastor is not like other jobs, though you do have to have a lot of education and act in a professional manner. Quite often, your schedule will change from one day to the other and this means that you will have to be ready to work all the time. You may find yourself in uncomfortable situations and have to navigate conversations about faith and Bible passages that require patience and grace. Just smile at her as you look her straight in the eye and say, I cant imagine how many names you have to keep up with. One of the most crucial aspects of navigating the highs and lows of being a pastors wife is having a reliable support system. Article by Nancy Wilson Guest Contributor You might be surprised to know that your pastor's wife is much like you. Your resume is much shorter! Being a pastors wife may not always be easy, but the rewards of seeing lives changed and experiencing personal growth make it all worth it. You are the support system, the confidant, and the backbone of your husband's ministry. For instance, someone who works from home can do the laundry between two calls while you will just not be able to use your time as efficiently. Why do most women not want to marry pastors? Seek emotional support from your spouse and trusted friends. She and her husband are investing their whole lives in you. As a pastors wife, youll have to deal with the pressures of being in the public eye, managing church responsibilities, and balancing your personal life. If you still want to become a clergyman or clergywoman, you should also get detailed information on the salary, future outlook, work-life balance, job satisfaction, educational requirements, duties and responsibilities of pastors. A joint sponsor or a financial co-sponsor is a U.S. citizen or green card holder (permanent resident) who agrees to take on the legal obligation of financially supporting an applicant for a family-based green card. A pastor's face only a mother could love. Joel September 22, 2008 at 8:10 am. Also if you want to change things, many people will not listen to you but rather want to maintain the status quo, which can be really frustrating in the long run. If you like helping people, this could be a great job. Hopefully, you will have some people wanting to help you, but if something does not get done, everyone expects the pastor to do it. Im not a reserved seat person, but if you are, thats an amazing pro! She is not a celebrity or a super-Christian, but like you, she desires to be a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let's talk about the pros and cons of being a pastors wife - Encouraging and Supporting the Church First Lady Encouraging and Supporting the Church First Lady Being a pastor's wife can be challenging. *hehe*. Still, in my circle of pastors wives, I sense a celebrity vibe. Ascrutinisedlife As a clergyman, you will also be responsible to help people out during their darkest hours. April 9, 2019 What Should a Pastor's Wife Be Like? If you are a true entrepreneur, you should get experience in other fields so that you can start your own business sooner or later in this industry instead of becoming a pastor. In my summation, one of the challenges of being a pastors wife is the fact that people expect me to dress a certain way, drive a certain type of car, and look immaculate all the time. The pastors family does not learn to be stretched by moving to a new city, congregation, or school. She should not share that information with anyone. I can tell you from personal experience that she wants to know everyone in the congregation by name. The good news is that God does indeed hear the cry of the afflicted. Offering counsel on a wide-range of questions from actual readers like you! As a pastor, you have a chance to help a lot of people, and you can see the results of those efforts over time. Role of a pastor's wife - Pastoral Care, Inc I mean none of us would want our significant other making plans without consulting us (especially to the in-laws house), or be permanently consigned to the kitchen. In turn, while many other people who are just in their jobs for the money will get demotivated in the long run, you will likely stay motivated for much longer since you really see purpose in what you are doing. Also make sure to check out the following articles: Advantages and disadvantages of a career as a financial analyst, Advantages and disadvantages of a career as a professor, Advantages and disadvantages of a career as a judge, https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clergyman, https://www.statista.com/statistics/245551/number-of-ordained-clergy-serving-us-religious-parishes-by-church/. While the church seems to be fading in some circles, pastors are generally respected by the public. This encouragement blog for Pastors' Wives and Church First Ladies will bless you, pastor's wife. I did the same when I started working in consulting after finishing my Masters degree in Economics. You stand in a long tradition of men who have invested their lives in one place rather than those who have chosen the free agent path. In some churches, you could have to visit a dozen people a day for several days. Being a pastors wife has its highs and lows. They do a lot more than just preach a sermon once or twice per week. You set the vision, or plan, for the church and then help see that it goes into practice. Since you like helping people, you can easily get sucked into working all the time. For the most part, Im ok, but some of my friends dont believe I actually drive a car with a few years on it and dont shop like a maniac. Bless your pastors wife by freeing her to serve her King with the specific gift he has granted her. Our work is possible by the generosity of our readers. What a gift these professors gave us wives after spending themselves all day in the classroom with our husbands! Some of that is my personality. Be careful with supplying financial help. What are the pros and cons of being a pastor? - Short-Fact It still blows my mind how many strangers will approach me in Walmart and say Hi, First Lady! To be clear, this is a blessing to me more than a con. Consequently, most pastors profess this profession their entire life. While you will learn how to deal with people during your career as a pastor, you will still not learn many other skills. This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. If you dont love helping people or interacting with people, this will be a tough job. Questions for a Potential Pastor's Wife : 9Marks Moreover, one will always be bounded by bad news as people will mostly visit to seek guidance during the toughest periods of their lives. In addition, you may even be able to provide valuable insight and guidance as well as tangible assistance like financial help or mentoring when needed. These are the tangible results you will see. She is the wife of Raymond Ortlund Jr., who is an author, a former seminary professor and pastor, and the president at Renewal Ministries. Read on to find out! How every pastor's wife wishes this were true! For me, after all my years of being a pastors wife, I still struggle with knowing where I should be or what I should be doing. In fact, most church services are done on weekends since this is the time when most other people dont have to work. Quite often, people will come to you desperately looking for help. Hi, my name is Jamie Willis, and I have been helping students find their perfect internships and education paths for the last ten years. Emotional and physical burnout Being a pastor is a spiritual role that people feel called to do. Jason's ability to delve deep into subjects and present them in a concise and engaging manner makes him an invaluable asset to the Pros and Cons Guru team. People love talking about the pastors wife. He leads church services, religious services, rituals like funerals. Top 10 Being a Pastor Pros & Cons - Summary List. Consequently, people from their community will call them in the late hours as they always look for help. Pastors can have a lot of responsibilities, both inside and outside of the church. It included plans for a family trip overseas. Being a Pastor Cons. You both will be glad you did! Whats expected of me in terms of hospitality and event hosting? You might be asked to speak at public gatherings not related to your church. Extended family 3. A pastor leads the church as a body and counsels individual members to help them deal with their lives. Pros and Cons of Being a Pastor's Wife 2023 - Ablison While it is true that each has his own gift from God, that verse goes on to say, one of one kind and one of another (1 Cor. Thus, while many other people will have to fear losing their jobs in the near future due to machine learning and artificial intelligence, you will not have to worry about those things as a pastor since robots and other machines will just not be able to do the job as well as you can as a human being.
