3rd week in a row, we've been sharing Sandra Peoples' tips. The key for me is not to try to do it all at once. In fact, there are some that will take time as you'll notice in this week's post:
17. Give generously of your time, money, and possessions.
Mrs. Pastor: I remember talking a bit about giving** 2 years ago. It's truly a blessing and a grace to be able and willing to give. All I'll say is give your time to your family first...they are your first ministry.
18. Be visible and approachable around church.
Mrs. Pastor: This is important - never put yourself on a pedestal.*** We must be an asset, not an accessory in and to our church.
19. Realize that some of the pressure you put on yourself is just that- self-inflicted, and not from the church.
Mrs. Pastor: This shows up in many ways. #17 above is a classic example of a tip that trips some of us up. Much as you may want to or believe you have to be, you don't have to be at everyone's beck and call. There's just not "enough of you." Some do things for others...just no one "says anything bad." Some others pressurize themselves in the dress arena.**** The list goes on... Depressurize so you don't explode or implode.
20. Take time to feed yourself spiritually- grow in the spiritual disciplines of prayer, bible study, and worship.
Mrs Pastor: We must give ourselves the gift of time.***** I wrote about this 2 years ago and have really tried (and in many cases, succeeded) in finding and giving myself "do-nothing time." Once again confirming that, if you seek, you will find.
21. Don’t take a job or position just because if you don’t no one else will, allow others to step up and use their gifts.
Mrs Pastor: I give myself a B+ here. Over this year, I have really gotten better at this - even if it feels like ants are crawling all over me. I've come a long way from when I wrote the piece on "What do you do in church?"****** I intend to get to an A+ soon.
22. Get to know women in different life stages from your own and learn from them.
Mrs Pastor: This is a great tip. I'm working on this but can do more here.
23. Be willing to accompany your husband on visits and in meetings so he is not alone with a woman.
Mrs Pastor: This is a "by your husband's side" time...and the truth is you sometimes you don't know when others will be out and only the "woman" is home. I know it's not always possible especially at those times our husband spring visitation plans on us - that disrupt our planned family or even "me" time. Where possible, postpone something rather then let your husband be "exposed" - knowing that sometimes it's the visit that needs to be postponed.
We'll complete these next week...would be nice to know how you're doing so far.
References:
*
http://www.sandrapeoples.com/pastors-wives-show-your-church-you-love-them/
**
http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2012/12/giveand-let-go.html
***
http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2014/01/on-shelf.html
****
http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2013/08/mrs-pastor-vs.html
*****
http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2012/12/the-gift.html
******
http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2012/01/what-do-you-do-in-church.html
You'd think that after 3 weeks, we have enough tips on how to show our church that we love them. In some ways and with some of the tips in this and previous posts**, it almost feels like we should have a t-shirt that says just that - obviously someone has already come up with that idea :)
10. Keep confidential matters confidential. 
