"Noted"

Have you noticed how rich this world, especially the church, is with ideas of what we should do (better)? Try having what I call a “blank sheet of paper” meeting. You’ll end up with a book – actually a catalogue of things “we” can do.

Water off a duck's back...

Have you ever heard the saying: "Water off a duck's back?" Well, over the years, it's one phrase I've come to love and use a lot when describing myself.

It's an idiom that encourages us not to notice or dwell on negative words directed at us. It's not the easiest thing to do. However, when you realize that ducks swim (& feed) in water and yet water doesn't stick to them, you'll know that God must have made them that way for a reason...

...so Mrs Pastors and others can learn from them.

Beware of Parallel lines

I really cannot remember exactly how this topic came to me - I just remember it had something to do with the level or lack of relationship between church members.

It is fearful and even depressing to go to a church filled with what I'd call "parallel line" members...who are on their own all the time.

From personal experience, I know that when you first join a church you don't know who's who and may want to take your time to get to know people and "choose" who you relate with and how (deeply) you do. I fully understand that. What I don't get is when people just come and go - never wanting to be involved in anyone's life or in the church and clearly not wanting anyone in their space.

The paradox with such people is when something (especially negative) happens to them they wonder where their church members are and start broadcasting: "There's no love in the church. No one cares." I mean how can you say there is no love if you refuse to become part of the "Loving and Giving Circle?"

As a church member and Mrs Pastor, I'm more comfortable in a church where the members are interacting with each other - not just with the Pastor (& his family) - but are truly and regularly involved in each other's lives.  I'm aware that in interacting with each other, sometimes we can even get tangled and need help sorting out knots. I mean that's the essence of church - being there for each other and that sometimes results on stepping on each other's toes.

Church is meant to be a "Loving and Giving circle" - yes a bigger family and no family thrives on parallel lines. I almost feel that I may be "preaching to the choir" because in some instances, some pastors or more so Mrs Pastors want to be "left alone." In other words, their actions say: "I'm your pastor's wife - here to do a job or be by his side and that's all - no one should get into my business."
I agree that some of us may have been hurt (or burnt) before when we tried the "Loving and Giving circle" however, if Jesus didn't (& hasn't) given up on us - we shouldn't give up on interacting with others. The next time you want to live as a parallel line (as I sometimes want to) or see someone who wants to be a parallel line, ask yourself or them: "What if Jesus lived as a parallel line?"

How strong are you?

A weeks days ago, I was chatting with a dear friend (and fellow Mrs Pastor) - and ended up sharing what my definition of a strong woman is.

Before sharing my definition with more of us, I was curious about other people's definitions. This quote is a great starting point because I both agree and disagree with it...please "read" me out...

Leading sheep

So far we have covered these 4 qualities of effective leaders:
Like sheep
Example
Amiable
Determined

An Afghan proverb goes:

If you think you're leading and no one is following you,

then you're only taking a walk.

2 more qualities you need to lead

Last week we started discussing the leadership attributes that we and our husbands need to be great leader-sheep... I know it sounds awkward but when you think about the fact that we're leaders of sheep and sheep ourselves, "Leader-sheep" is a perfect title for us.

Leader-sheep - does that describe you?

As a sign of my appreciation for all our Pastors and you my fellow Mrs Pastors, I'd like to share a bit on how I believe we can be (or become and also remain) all that God what's us to be as leaders...of His sheep - as leader-sheep.

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