Being Mrs. Pastor...

...is just a part - not all  - of who you are.

Ever since I "became" Mrs. Pastor - or more correctly since my husband became a pastor - I have consciously & consistently made an effort to remain authentic.

The Test

God led me to watch Joyce Meyer one late night and I was glued...

She said a few things that struck me (my comments are in green font):

1. It is not where you start that you end - and for that to happen, we need to start. Staying in one place will not only result in stagnation but you may end worse off than you "started."
2. There were some things that Jesus bore for us and some other things that He went through so we know how to go through and overcome them like He did. Never forget that Jesus said: I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]* All we need to do is constantly and confidently walk in that victory.
3. Although we may want people's approval and applause, we must realize that we can live without it. We're definitely better without it...because that is no guarantee that we have God's approval which is what we must desire. Jesus, in John 5:41, rejected human approval - as did Paul in Galatians 1:10.
4. Every trial and test we go through will always work out for our good. Romans 8:28 says:  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.** So let's just walk in the purpose He's called us to.

Of a truth, our lives are full of tests: if (& when) we keep our eyes on God, we will not lose our focus on where we're headed and faith in Him will carry us through. Ask Peter***, he only started to sink when he took his eyes of Jesus. When you go through your next test, if you're not in one already, keep your eyes on Jesus...

*John 16:33 (Amplified)
** New Living Translation
***Matthew 14: 22-33

Are you in step...

...or in strife with the Ministry?

Miners or

Underminers?

This topic hit me when I read Lorna Dobson's book.

Believe it or not, every church has their fair share of both categories of people - please don't start labelling people :)

Miners are people who work in Mines where it is believed and/or known that there is some form of treasure....

Underminers in my mind are the opposite of Miners.

Who do you see...

...when you look in the mirror?

I believe that that is a question each & every Mrs. Pastor needs to ask (& answer) herself when the pressures of people's expectations come her way.

"Roberta" or Robot?

Some time ago, I was thinking about my response to things especially in church and started asking myself if I'm a "Roberta" (i.e. a real person) or just a Robot?

You don’t need to be able…

Yes, you heard/read me right.

I’ve noticed that a lot of us spend time talking about how “un-able” we are…thinking that that is what matters to God. The fact is: God is able*… and that is all that matters. He does not need us to be able - in fact He intentionally looks out for those who are "unable."

God only needs us to be “available” for His use. The Bible is full of examples of people who were not able and only did great things because they were available for God’s use.**

As we celebrate Pastor's Appreciation month, as Mrs Pastor, let’s focus on being available so that when the Lord asks (more of us), we can always say: “Here I am, send me.”***

References:

*2 Cor 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. (Amplified)

Eph 3: 20 - Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. (NLT)

** 1 Cor 1: 26-29 -  For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;  and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. (NKJV)

***Is 6:8 - Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom will I send? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me!” (God's Word Translation)

Pastor is not Superman...

...not to mention that Mrs. Pastor is not the Bionic Woman.

Have you noticed that people treat Pastors and Mrs. Pastor as superhuman?
I can't help but wonder if it's because of the way some of us "carry" ourselves.

Now I know that walking and working with God helps us all live supernaturally... all because our Super God works with, through and for us. However, we must be careful and never pretend that we are infallible or without human challenges.

At the risk of talking from 2 sides of my mouth, in showing our humanity and humility, we must not host any pity parties or manipulate others to "bless us."

The bottom line is that Pastor and Mrs. Pastor are everyday people too...
While it is important for those around us to realize that and hopefully "care" for and support us as much as they expect to be cared for/supported, it is more important for Pastor and Mrs. Pastor to remember (& appreciate) that too.

BTW, I gather that the 2nd Sunday in October is "Clergy Appreciation Day." Take a moment to appreciate the pastors around you and don't forget to give your husband a SPA.* Wishing you a wonderful day on Sunday and beyond...

Reference:
*http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.com/2012/07/spa.html

Burden or...

burden-bearer?

As we start the last quarter of this year, especially as it is Pastor Appreciation Month, it's a good time to ask ourselves this soul-searching question.

I'll explain how it came up...

Are you in Ministry or "Mrs-try"?

Six months ago, I was thinking about the different ministries in our church and started asking myself whether I'm actually in "Ministry" or just in "Mrs-stry" considering the various areas where I serve.

From experience, being Mrs. Pastor is really challenging (I doubt anyone of you Mrs. Pastors out there would disagree with me).   I mean it's one thing to be clueless about your calling and then be very aware of the ministries' "calling" for your attention and action and have no choice but answer. In fact, I'm sure a lot of members see that as part of our role as his "help-meet."

Over a year ago, I wrote about "Leading ladies"* and I am concerned that this "help-meet trap" is one that we fall into too easily. You need to be a help-meet - that is not in question at all. All I'm saying is that as Mrs. Pastor, we must know and answer our calling...that is what God will reward us for. Eph 4:1 encourages us to "walk worthy of our calling" - it helps to know what it is.

Now I totally agree that this very important position of Mrs. Pastor, is in deed a "high calling."** The fact is every wife is (should be) important to her husband - but for Mrs. Pastor, it is much more than that... I know that this whole "Mrs. Pastor" thing is quite the mystery for some & unfortunately a misery for others. Personally, I have found that by walking with God, He'll shed light on what you need to do so you move from Mrs-try to Ministry - where it is much more fulfilling. I pray we can all  move from misery/mystery &/or Mrs-try to Ministry...your reward awaits you - and it will definitely be well worth it.

God bless.

References:
*http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.com/2011/08/leading-ladies.html
**http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2012/07/its-high-calling.html
http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.ca/2012/08/xyz.html