Happy CAM!

I was wondering what we should talk about this month and the Holy Spirit reminded me about this - so rather than start from scratch, I thought it will be great to read about this from another source - then add my comments:

Clergy Appreciation Month is a special time that congregations set aside each year to honor their pastors and pastoral families for the hard work, sacrificial dedication and multiple blessings provided by these special people. It is typically scheduled in October, but can be held at any time that is convenient for the church and the community. It is also important to remember that appreciation, affirmation and prayer support of our spiritual leaders is appropriate throughout the entire year.

The nature of the service provided by pastors and their families is unique. God has entrusted to them one of the most precious of assignments — the spiritual well-being of His flock. When a pastor becomes ineffective, the very souls of his or her parishioners are endangered. When eternity is in the balance, we should all be concerned.

Pastors and their families live under incredible pressures. Their lives are played out in a fishbowl, (picture mine) with the entire congregation and community watching their every move. They are expected to have ideal families, to be perfect people, to always be available, to never be down and to have all the answers we need to keep our own lives stable and moving forward. Those are unrealistic expectations to place on anyone, yet most of us are disappointed when a pastor becomes overwhelmed, seems depressed, lets us down or completely burns out.

That’s why God has instructed us to recognize His servants.

“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17).

The good news is that we can make a difference! Clergy Appreciation Month is one way we can counter the negative erosion in the lives of our spiritual leaders with the positive affirmation they need.

Don’t your pastors and their families deserve this kind of recognition? Do something about it today!

Mrs Pastor's comments:
After reading this well written piece I started wondering how many Pastors and/or Mrs Pastors (and maybe their children) get "offended" when their church members don't "appreciate" them at all or as much as they think they deserve. I can understand why some of us may feel this way though I don't believe that it's worthy of being offended for. The thing that struck me in this article is how much and how many times the pastor's family was mentioned. Since this is Clergy Appreciation Month, let's take the time to appreciate our husbands and children - because it's only because we're united that we can progress the work of God in our hands. Yes, don't wait to be appreciated - appreciate yourselves - everyday, every month, in every way. Happy CAM!

Source:
http://thrivingpastor.org/clergyappreciation/

Talent vs. Character...

On the 10th of June, I was blessed to listen to Joyce Meyer and she was talking about how those of us in ministry are quick to appoint people with some talent into places of leadership without realizing that:
"Though talent may take them places, it’s character that keeps them there..."

"Plan B"

Something happened to me a few months ago and I just realized how much "pressure" Mrs Pastors are sometimes under. If we had a motto for Mrs Pastors to live by, it will have to be the same as the Boys Scouts' Motto: Be Prepared

My story: My family and I were on our way to church when someone called my husband to say that they could no longer take an assignment. Without missing a heart-beat, my husband turned to me and informed me that I'll need to take that assignment on - in addition to the other assignment I already had.


There was no question if I was ok with it - none whatsoever. It was a reassignment and that was it. I then started wondering how many people & assignments I need to be a "Plan B" or back-up resource for. Note that I'm not complaining just wondering...

I guess 2 Timothy 4:2 is meant to prepare us (all Christians) in a way:  

Preach the Good News [Gospel]. Be ready at all times [whether it is convenient or inconvenient; in season or out of season], and tell people what they need to do [correct; reprove]. Tell them when they are wrong [Rebuke]. Encourage [Comfort; Exhort] them with great patience and careful teaching [all patience and teaching],*

Having said that, it can be a challenge living as a "Plan B" for others & being your own "Plan A" at all times. Talk about always being on top of your game - it's just that this is not a game we're dealing with people's destinies. So each time I need to be "Plan B," I simply draw on God for grace to bring Him praise.

Source:
* Expanded Bible 

Power-full dressing

 

Last month, we talked about "Mrs Pastor vs. Power dressing." A futile fuss.
This time, we'll put some more on to that topic (pun intended).

If you remember, we said that "power dressing" is the term used to describe dressing in a particular way to reflect ambition and authority - it's actually an assertive style of dressing designed or believed to improve the wearer's status, influence, or effectiveness in business.* This description is so clear and ties to God's expectation of us as His ambassadors. As we know, the way you dress says a lot about you - remember, man considers people's appearances.** Like Bishop Oyedepo says:

"Dress the way you want to be addressed."

FYI?

I'm sure we know what "FYI" stands for. Just to be clear since I have my personal collection of abbreviations and acronyms, it stands for: "For Your Information."

When you think about the phrase, it clearly doesn't suggest any action on your part in response to the info. The info is just there - so you know it's there - period. It's up to you to act or not.

"Drop that spoon!"

I remember watching my Mum and Aunties feeding infants - "Ahhhh-woom" was the phrase they used to encourage each infant to open his/her mouth and in went the spoon and the food. I use(d) the same technique with my children and other children...it works each time without fail.

The Typical Pastor’s Wife is Dead

I subscribe to Women of Faith and got this piece last Monday however when one of my Mrs Pastor friends sent me again I couldn't resist sharing it. I would like to know what you think about it...feel free to post your comments.

 

We think the “typical” pastor’s wife or woman in ministry is dead. You know, that woman who had it all together, never seemed to struggle, played the piano, attended every event, and met everyone’s expectations—although she could have had some help with her wardrobe.

 

Those of us in ministry have heard, read and said “I’m not the typical pastor’s wife” so many times, we’ve started to wonder if she really ever existed at all, or if she really only existed in people’s minds and expectations. We spend mass amounts of time, energy, emotion, and effort comparing ourselves to a myth. And the problem is—we fall short. Our attention turns to our shortcomings and failings instead of staying focused on God and who He created us to be.

But the truth is, God knew exactly what He was doing, exactly who He was calling. He knows our shortcomings and our struggles, and He has extended His call to leadership and ministry anyway.

Maybe “typical” isn’t what we thought. Maybe there is a new typical. Maybe we are typical. The more we talk to pastors’ wives and women in ministry, the more we realize how alike we are. Regardless of age, location, denomination, church style, church size we all have the same questions, struggles, and difficulties.

 

It is time to embrace the knowledge that maybe we are typical—women wanting to know Jesus, support our husbands, love our children, care for our churches, and grow in love and grace. We find peace as we cling to Him in times of challenge—wrestling with our own shortcomings, keeping our heads up during the tough times, acknowledging that we won’t be all things to all people, yet making ourselves available to fellow strugglers.

We learn to trust the sovereignty of the Almighty God who has called us to partner with Him in His work—finding purpose in our unique giftedness, comfort in knowing He doesn’t make mistakes, and rest as we embrace who He made us to be.

We are not perfect. But we may well be typical, and that is fine by us.

Lori Wilhite serves alongside her husband Jud who is the Senior Pastor at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. They love getting to be part of God changing Sin City into Grace City. She is the founder of Leading and Loving It and is also the co-author of Leading and Loving It: Encouragement for Pastors’ Wives and Women in Leadership. Lori and Jud have two kids, Emma and Ethan. They also have the world’s cutest bulldog, Roxy. Lori is slightly Jane Austen obsessed and should buy stock in Starbucks since Chai-tea Lattes are a necessity.

Source:
http://www.womenoffaith.com/2013/08/the-typical-pastors-wife-is-dead/?

Leading and Loving It: Encouragement for Pastors’ Wives and Women in Leadership

This new book from Lori Wilhite and Brandi Wilson gives readers tools for understanding that external pressures and expectations are only important if they fall in line with what God intends for your life and ministry.  They give answers for how to deal with criticism, isolation, finding your personal calling, what happens when you reach a place of burn-out, and more.
Pre-order your copy (or a copy for your pastor’s wife) today.
 “If ever there were two leaders that can speak truth, life, love, and encouragement into the hearts of pastor’s wives and women in leadership, it’s Lori and Brandi. Their gut honest stories make them authentic. Their struggles make them trustworthy. Their wisdom makes them a must-read. Hands down if you buy a ministry leadership book this year, it should be LEADING AND LOVING IT.” —Lysa TerKeurst

“As someone who’s been involved with ministry for over twenty-five years, I can honestly say that pastor’s wives are the lifeblood of the Church. This resource will help women along the way who are struggling in the journey or need encouragement in their current season. I’m so proud of Lori and Brandi for their courage, passion, and heart for leaders in ministry!” —Christine Caine

The Waiting Room

The Waiting Room is not a place that anyone likes to spend time in - well I usually don't. The WAITing room is sometimes filled with Worry-ing, Anticipat-ing, Inquir-ing & Tension. There is no guarantee that people will never be in a WAITing room, however, I know another and better Waiting Room that eases it.

Mrs. Pastor vs.

Power dressing

I'm trying to put myself in your shoes (or in your seat) as you read this. If I were you, I'd be wondering:

"How did she come up with this and where is she heading with it?"

Hold that thought...I'll tell you how and more importantly where it came up...

Know to show?

A lot of people believe that they need to "show (off)" what they know - especially in church. I find that some people just go on and on speaking "Christian-ese" with so much ease or are just full of spiritual principles without supporting practice. I'm always saddened and amused but sometimes can't say how I feel about it since it could sound "judgmental" coming from Mrs Pastor.