"What do you do in church?"

Sometime ago, someone asked me that question. For a moment I wondered what the best answer to such a question would be. I mean when you don't know that I am Mrs. Pastor and you ask me: "What do you do in church?"
what is the right answer? Or shall I say: "What's the best answer?"
Here are some of the options that crossed my mind:

• "Not much beyond being Mrs. Pastor - so I'm responsible for Pastor (and almost all he does)."
• "Much more than I can recount (or you'd like to know) including being Mrs. Pastor."
• "I am everyone's back-up including my husband's - at times."

Well, I decided that the best answer was to clearly state what I actually do -   
not who I am. I mean being "Mrs. Pastor" is not a duty although it feels like that sometimes. As I said in my posting 2 weeks ago*, while there is an "Office of the Pastor," there is no "Office of Mrs. Pastor." Now that is one "office" I'm eternally grateful doesn't exist and besides it's not even scriptural**.

Can you just imagine what it would be like to be Mrs. Pastor and then be "employed" as Mrs. Pastor? I can't and I'd say "No thank you" if that offer ever came.

Now, so I'm not misunderstood, this is not to say I don't like "doing" things in church or working in the church office - I love it and would love to. It's just that doing it "title-less" helps - get my drift? I know some other ("established") Mrs. Pastors may not agree with me - so let's say it's my personal preference.

It's also great to have people come up to offer to help you in church... so as Mrs. Pastor, one thing we can all do in church is encourage others to step up to the plate by asking them:

"What would you like to do for our church?"

As you start thinking about some people you may want to ask that question, let me ask you the very same question I was asked which was were we started: "Mrs. Pastor, what do you do in church?"

When all is said & done, I hope more is done than said & we are good examples of service unto God...who add value to others' lives in more ways than one***.

References:
*http://mrs-pastor-and-pastor-mrs.blogspot.com/2012/01/except-you-areyoure-not.html
**Eph 4:11 "And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers." (Amplified)
***Eph 4:12 " for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ," (NKJV)

It's more than "The Call"

You may have come across people who talk about being "Called to Ministry" - sometimes it's as if it's in fashion. With some of the things I've seen in my walk with God, I know that "being called" is not enough and it is beyond being eloquent - all those who are called must be properly equipped for the call.

I know that God does not always call the "qualified" (see: 1 Cor 1:27-31) but He definitely qualifies the called. Apollos was very eloquent - possibly called but evidently not properly equipped. "Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." (Acts 18:24-26; NASB)

As Mrs Pastor, we must be sensitive, ready and willing to be like Priscillia who joined her husband Aquila to equip Apollos. In stepping into this role, we must be careful not to come across as trying to stop a person who is called from "going forth." We have to be clear that the purpose is: "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;" (Eph 4: 12 -Amp)

Obviously, this Mrs. Pastor and her husband did a very good job on Apollos such that Paul was able to say: "I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work." (1 Cor 3: 6-8 - NLT)

I pray we will also be rewarded for our own hard work too...let's get to it.

Except you are...you're not...

Some time ago I was a friend and colleague of mine were talking about how much "authority" some Mrs. Pastors like to demand and/or wield.

I also know of some Mrs. Pastors that want to be seen and treated as the Assistant or Associate Pastor of the local assembly where their husbands serve. From one Mrs. Pastor to another, the fact of the matter is:

Here to help...

Early one morning, I noticed my husband had quite a bit of stuff to do to be ready for service and had other pressing deadlines so I casually asked him:

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

  

Later on, I was pondering on  reaching out to help him and it clicked again that: I'm really "here to help" hence this topic. In being created to be a helpmeet* to our husbands, it means that as Mrs Pastor we must be doing any and everything to help our husbands. Yes - I mean any and everything...and the reason is simple - at least in my mind. So let me explain...

From me to all Mrs Pastors...

When I found this poem, I couldn't but thank God for the author...
and I'm sharing it with you early in the year as a reminder that someone somewhere appreciates you even if it doesn't seem like that sometimes...

TO OUR PASTOR'S WIFE

When we thank God for our pastor
We must give Him thanks for two,
For when your husband came to us,
God also sent us you.

A pastor's wife must be many things,
You have many hats to wear;
And we say thanks for all you do
And lift you up in prayer.

You adjust your life to meet the needs
Of your husband's congregation,
And it seems that you can always cope
With most any situation.

Your presence blesses all of us
Who know you from day to day.
As our pastor's wife, you are serving God
In a fine and worthy way.

Author Unknown

Source:

*http://www.hopecrc.ca/Appreciation.htm

You matter...

A few months ago, our church members wanted to surprise my husband and to thank him for how he's positively impacted their lives. I felt that was a really nice gesture. I was particularly touched when one lady said, we want you to sit beside him when we put up our "show"; to which I said...

"Pastor Treatment"

Sometime ago I was thinking about how the prophetic words of my pastor have come to pass in my life over and over again. For me it is a great privilege to see the word of God come to life in my life and of course the life of others. The Bible clearly advises: "Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper."

(2 Chron 20:20 - NKJV)

Each time the word of the Lord from my pastor's mouth comes to pass it's a reaffirmation that he is indeed the servant of God and I must continue to God in his life - and of course honor him. I then started asking myself if I give my husband the same kind of honor and treatment as I give to my pastor who I look up to. To be clear, my husband is my pastor and too often those lines get blurred as it should be - or should they? I'm not really sure if they should or shouldn't so I'll let you decide as you read on...

To avoid burnout...

...write it down

...reach out for resources

The Bible is such a rich source that keeps giving...you can find a word for any and every situation in life.

I take Habakkuk 2:2-3 literally - "And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day." (Amplified)

Marriage comes before Ministry...

I was opportuned to attend a Pastors' Wives Conference and it was interesting and illuminating to hear some of the issues that some Mrs. Pastors are facing.

On the first night, this topic dropped in my spirit - Marriage comes before Ministry...before God and even in the dictionary. Before we dive into this topic, let's be clear...Marriage is between a man and a woman - opposite genders - no more no less. Ok, let's go on.

As I was saying, marriage comes before ministry. Ok, let me back up for a second here...I am not saying that you must be married before you can go into ministry. What I am saying is: even if you or your husband was called into ministry before you got married to each other, you must reprioritize so you get the right results.

I daringly say this to Mr & Mrs Pastor: it is more important to preserve and protect your marriage than it is to preserve and protect the ministry. Ah! Yes ah! Remember the ministry is God's work...the church is God's bride. Let me pause here to say:

Dear (male) Pastors, take care of your bride - let God take care of His.

Too many marriages are in deep trouble because of the wrong priorities when it comes to these 2 "M" words - I won't even add children into the mix for now...

Marriage is God's idea so why would anyone think that their ministry is more important than their marriage? The only other thing more important than your marriage, is your personal relationship with Him. I encourage you to invest quality time and emotions in your relationship with God and your marriage - you'll see the fruits your ministry. Otherwise you'll have to deal with more thorns & tares in ministry than you need to - I join you to say: "God forbid!"

Watch your words...

Words make the world go round and also go round the world faster than you can imagine so we need to watch our words. Last week, we said we should T.H.I.N.K. about and before we speak.

Words are like eggs, once spoken (or broken) can never be "contained." It's always more pleasant to break an egg - an make an omelette or something similar than to make a mess.

To help put this in perspective, I've put different renditions of Proverbs 12:18 - a verse I recommend we commit to memory...and meditate on before we speak...

NLT:

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

The Message:
Rash language cuts and maims, but there is healing in the words of the wise.

God's Word Translation:

Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.

Good News Translation:

Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword,

but wisely spoken words can heal.

English Standard Version:

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, 

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

NIRV:

Thoughtless words cut like a sword. 

But the tongue of wise people brings healing.

Napoleon Hill gave the same advice slightly differently: 

“Think twice before you speak,

because your words and influence will plant the seed of

either success or failure in the mind of another.”

We are in a unique position to make or mar with our words - the choice is ours...watch your words.

Words travel and act fast...watch your words.

"Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose." (Prov 18:21 - Message)

Watch your words...