Proclaimer Blog
Marriage & Ministry #3
Ann Benton's session was entitled "The Minister's guide to his wife." Although much of her wisdom was obviously personal, it resonated with many of us, especially, I thought, the temptation to spiritually neglect our wives, not just physically neglect them. We sometimes labour under the misapprehension that our wives are the most spiritually alert and educated women in our congregation – after all they sit through all our sermons at least once! But, Ann reminded us, they are often thinking (at best) "Atta boy!" or (at worst) "Why did he use that illustration about our family?" and we mustn't assume that they are, as a result of being married to the (very fallible) minister, part of the church's spiritual elite.
Here are Ann's headings – again, all pretty self-explanatory. Talk these through with your wife and see if any of them resonate:
1. The MInister's wife is a unique church member
She sees the minister as he really is!
2. The Minister's wife is a woman with a lot to put up with
- working hours
- Saturday night blues (dealing with his!)
- Straightened circumstances
- Set up for failure
- Paranoia
- Anger
3. The Minister's wife is the minister's most valuable resource
- From the Lord
- Different from you
- Prayer partner
- Essential back up
- Partner (a biblical word which we must reclaim!)
- Source of joy