Now yesterday you might have thought me a bit negative; but I want to be honest in these posts. It was a ‘real’ post. I hope you get that. And here’s another real one for you. I am so excited. I am so encouraged. I am so… thrilled at the extraordinary thing that God has done.
Our church family prayed for a Pastor. They hadn’t had one for 20 years. And we were the answer to those prayers. You can read more about that unbelievable story here. Already there are great encouragements and new people coming to church; coming to God. Not our doing, we’re blessed to be reaping the harvest that others planted for.
When it comes to extraordinary – well, the Gospel of Christ just blows my mind! To work together with himself and others in sharing God’s love & grace is a blast. I’m still not sure how good I’ll be at this – but I need to remember how privileged I am to get to do it.
Do me a favour and don’t let me forget that. 🙂
I’m v late posting today, so I’ll leave it there. Tomorrow is ‘F’ for Fellowship. Until then x
This is probably my greatest fear in this role; that I will let everyone down. The folk in church, the hubby, the oodles of people who are praying for us, and God himself.
I don’t want to disappoint anyone.
But I probably will…
Cos I human and therefore, imperfect
Cos people will have expectations and I may not be able to meet them all
Cos I regularly disappoint myself, I can’t see that changing.
Not sure I can do anything to avoid the desperate Ds, all I can do is do my bestest and keep praying.
I have a theory about this calling thing.
I’m not convinced that the call is the same for both spouses when it comes to church leadership.
I think the calling of a pastor is so much more clear-cut. Often there’s a contract or some form of official agreement, there’s a title and a role with (fairly) explicit responsibilities. For the other half, it’s not the always the case.
All marriages, churches and callings are different. So I can only speak for myself. I’m not sure I feel called to be a Pastor’s wife, I’m not even sure if there is such a calling. The only calling I’ve even been sure of (apart from God), is my calling to Rich.
Now before anyone sets their hair on fire. I’m not barefoot and tied to my kitchen sink. The beloved is on constant bin, dishwasher and grocery shopping duty. And yesterday, as I was in agony with a stupid shoulder injury, the pastor preached two sermons and insisted on sorting lunch and tea. Regardless of his current title, I’m his priority. So this is not a 1950s ‘pipe and slippers’ situation.
There are things I can do. I get the opportunity to use my gifts regularly. I get to sing and talk and lead services; and make cake! (yummy poppyseed cake). Maybe part of my role is to lead by example and use the gifts God has given me, in the church.
As far as a ‘ministry calling’ goes, the only one I’m really sure of is the one to help him to be the best that he can be. Sometimes it’s about practical stuff, sometimes it’s about keeping the knuckle-head stuff out of his way. Most times, it’s standing back, and making room for him to read, study, prepare etc. After that, I’m not really sure what my calling is.
I have an unfulfilled maternal instinct that could run riot if I let it 🙂 Who knows where it might get a chance to flourish. I’m part of a great team of leaders and their other halves; and it’s a joy to work with them.
I’m know I am where I’m supposed to be and ultimately, I am called to follow Christ.
One of the things I’m trying to work out at the moment is how to manage my time. We don’t have children, so we’ve only really had to worry about ourselves and each other. Life is busy for most people I think. I’m trying to be a writer, I work, I have a home and a husband to keep in some semblance of order. Though I have to say, he does his fair share and more.
But now… well, things are different now.
A new group of people has been added into our mix. There are others we have to consider when thinking about how we spend our week.
When Rich started working for the church, I was commuting to a full-time job; out of the house for 9-10 hours a day. Most of my shifts were late finishing and I worked Saturdays every so often. I had no idea how I would manage. I knew I’d need to be around more. I WANTED to be around more, but did not know how I’d do it. Immediately I started to look for more local, part-time work. In a flash, I had a part-time job, a short walk from the church. It was amazing, and in a later post I’ll tell you the full story.
So now, it’s easier to sort my time out, but… I’m still learning the balance.
The wife
The PASTOR’S wife (she’s a whole other wife!)
The domestic goddess (hey! stop laughing!)
The 9-5 worker (well, 9-2 😀 )
The writer (not recently, but she’s back now)
The child of God (mmm have a feeling that should be higher up the list…)
The musician (practise has been a bit thin on the ground)
Who and what gets my time first? OK I know there are a couple of obvious answers in there, but how do i balance it all? That’s my thing at the moment; learning what my priorities are. And I think it all ties in to another issue that’s rolling about my mind at the moment.
Who’s calling is this?
Richard is employed by the church. I’m not. But surely we’re both called aren’t we? This isn’t just his thing…. C is for calling – so let’s do that one next.
No post tomorrow as is the tradition of A to Z (Sundays off), so I’ll see you Monday x
Thank you so much for the lovely welcome back I’ve had. You don’t know what it means to know that you are still here even after my months of absence. Thanks for the messages and tweets etc, to hail my return. I’m blessed.
And so here we to with 2016’s A to Z Challenge and my theme this year – The A to Z of the Pastor’s wife 🙂
A is for Amen
‘So be it.’ That’s the translation of the word Amen.
‘Truth’ is another way it can be described.
After years of doubting it would happen, and I confess in some small way being reluctant for it to happen, I came to the point of saying “so be it” – AMEN, the beloved is gong to be a Pastor.
We were married 7 years before we had any notion of a calling to this type of ministry. I was 30 something, he was 40 something. We had just relocated to Ireland, I was happy to be home, but struggling emotionally. In the midst of all that, came a call to action.
My stock answer to the raised eyebrows of perplexity… “Believe me, there’s no one more surprised than we are.”
But when it settled, when it grew on me, I felt peace about it. That weird peace you feel when you’re scared and reluctant; feeling ill-equipped and out of your depth. Knowing that you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, even though you’ve no idea how to do it – or why you’ve been asked… it’s a fabulously bizarre place to be.
But I say – so be it, Lord!
It has to start there doesn’t it? I have to grasp this thing with both hand and say, “AMEN God, to the task you’ve called me to.”
All I have to do now is work out what exactly I’m supposed to be doing… 😀
A x
ps The pastor guest tells the story in more depth here if you’d like to read it.
It’s been a while. Too long! I am, however back and looking forward to delighting you all with my excogitations and ministrations. 🙂
I have decided to launch into my favourite blogging event of the year. The April A to Z Blogging Challenge. Last year I didn’t finish it, but it’s always one of the funnest things to do. It’s a great way to connect with other bloggers, find new people to follow and some new readers too. If you’re interested, you still have a few days to sign up before the list closes. I’m number 1,617! There’s room for one more…
My theme this year is “The A to Z of being a Pastor’s Wife.” I have been a Pastor’s wife now for 4 months, so obviously I know all there is to know *coughs* and am ready to share my wisdom. 😀
OK so I still have oodles of stuff to learn. God has shown me things about myself that I had not seen before (or maybe things I had just ignored). I’ve also seen the beloved in a new light, and am learning to let him be my Pastor too. We live ‘on site’, which has its own blessings and challenges. And we are loved, so unbelievably loved, by people we’re just getting to know. It’s been an amazing few months and I’m looking forward to sharing some of my thoughts on these early days.
So! After a break from writing, I’m delighted to getting back into the daily habit.
I’m really glad you’re still here – oh faithful readers. Thank you! xx
I’d say ‘Disgusted, of Tunbridge Wells’ is apoplectic at this stage.
Remember ‘Disgusted, of Tunbridge Wells’? He/She was one of BBC Points of View’s, “Why, oh why…” crowd.
I hear, lots of peeps were offended by the ad with The Lord’s Prayer in it.
Did nobody learn anything from the Go Compare Man?, the Crazy Frog? or The Christmas Shoes song ? The more you try to stop something, the more popular and talked about it is! The video has gone viral!
So, do you want to know what offends me????
No of course you don’t. 🙂
Actually, there are things I don’t like and don’t agree with; but I’m actually offended by very little.
I thought it was very interesting that Richard Dawkins spoke up about the issue. He told the Guardian: “My immediate response was to tweet that it was a violation of freedom of speech. But I deleted it when respondents convinced me that it was a matter of commercial judgment on the part of the cinemas, not so much a free speech issue. I still strongly object to suppressing the ads on the grounds that they might ‘offend’ people. If anybody is ‘offended’ by something so trivial as a prayer, they deserve to be offended.”
source: www.theguardian.com
On this one point… I agree with him. I think lots of people get offended way, way, WAY too easily. Be they people of faith or not. I find that some people are ‘eager’ to be offended. If they hear that something offended their friend, they will seek it out to see if it offends them, and then they’ll talk about how offended they are.
There was a time where debate and discussion were positive things. Most of the time nobody’s opinion is changed by a good wrangle with an issue, but hearing the other side is worthwhile. It’s an important thing, thrashing out the issues of the day.
Sadly, the bulk of it gets played out in the cesspool of insult and innuendo – or Twitter as it’s more commonly known.
You know the King James version of the Bible, Matt 5:29 says, “And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out.” The more modern language translations say, “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out.” How many things do we watch and hear that ‘offend’ us, and we don’t even realise. All sorts of sex, violence, bad language goes zooming across our screens. Now I’m not the TV police, people have the right to watch whatever they want. But the ol’ heckles being raised fast and furious over a two thousand year old prayer…?
One thing I do know, Christianity has been trod on, vilified, hated and persecuted since the Man who started it all was nailed to a Cross! I’ve no doubt it’ll survive a bit of censorship.
Welcome my guest poster – my own beloved, Richard Miles. Keeping to the AtoZ theme (yes, it’s still going 🙂 ) he’s is going to fill you in some more on our new adventure 🙂
U is for Unbelievable!
I am using the word ‘unbelievable’ in the sense of being above, or beyond belief, rather than against belief.
Paul in Ephesians writes: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3:20-21
These words sum up the sense that I have as I write this blog post. Over the past 12 months, no, over the past 18 months, actually, over the past 8 years, although it’s really over the past 17 years… God has done immeasurably more for us than we could ask or imagine.
It was during the Summer of 2008 that the Lord began to call me to ministry, and I spent the next three years at the Irish Bible Institute in Dublin, training to serve him. At the time, I believed that he would lead me into work in Ireland, as that is where I was when he called me and I went to an Irish Bible College!
It was a real privilege to have the opportunity to preach many times during our 7 years in Ireland. But, that was not the place where God was calling us.
After Annmarie was made redundant, our circumstances became more of a challenge. Nothing seemed to be working out, and one by one, doors began to close in Ireland. We knew that our long term future wasn’t there. Then in August 2014, it became clear to us that we should move back to Newport, my home city. It was the easiest decision we’d ever made; with an almost tangible assurance that it was the right thing to do.
We moved mid December. We knew that the Lord was bringing us back for a purpose. I was still convinced that he wanted me to go into ministry, so decided to look for opportunities to preach. I had the full backing of my home church, Malpas Road Evangelical Church, which is where I was born and grew up. My intention was that I would take as many opportunities as came to me, to preach in other churches when needed. Maybe one of them would be looking for a Pastor, and decide to call me.
As it turned out, I didn’t get to preach at many churches at all. I visited two churches, both in the Pontypool area. One of them was Upper Trosnant Baptist Church.
From our very first visit, we felt the warmth of the welcome and fellowship there. I preached on a number of occasions over the next few month; I knew that God was with me as I shared his Word.
However, when Richard Harrison, one of the church elders, phoned me to ask if I would allow my name go forward to be considered as Pastor of the church, it was a complete surprise. Although… I knew it was right.
It was something I had been praying for. I believed this was the opportunity. After lots of prayer and discussion with Annmare, and some very positive meetings with the leadership of the church, the recommendation went to the church that I should be appointed Pastor.
The next few months seemed to be very long, as I waited for the church to make their decision. There was lots of ‘if and when’ talk, but we had to wait. It was a great exercise in patience for us both.
When the church came to make their decision it was a unanimous one, that I should be called to be Pastor.
It is just so amazing the way everything came together. My prayers were answered, God showed his purpose for us to be back in Wales and it’s an extra blessing that we have the opportunity to serve the Lord not too far away from our family and our Malpas Road family!
It’s wonderful to know that the prayers of the church were answered as well; and amazing to think that Annmarie and I would be the answer to anyone’s prayers.
Even the practical issues around the move seemed to just sort themselves out. The flat above the church had long-term tenants, who recently decided to move on. Annmarie’s full time job in Cardiff took up most of her time and energy and she was concerned that she would not have much time during the week to be involved in church life. She applied for a part-time job, local to the church, and got it. Just like that!
God really has done far more than we can ask or imagine. U is indeed for unbelievable. We’ve also thought of words recently like ‘undeserving’, ‘unprepared’, ‘unreal’, ‘uttermost’ and of course, our new home… Upper Trosnant.
We continue to look to God to do unbelievable things as we seek to serve Him, our new family and our new community.
I’ll finish this AtoZ Challenge, if it’s the last thing I do! 🙂
I know i’ve been a bit hit and miss lately and it is frustrating, but rather than go on and on about how busy I am, I want to just stop and take some time to be thankful.
My job is wrecking my head, but I’m grateful for it – it’s a source of provision that I haven’t had for a few years. To be able to pay the basic bills without worrying every month, is such a blessing after the last few years of living week to week for most of the time – thank you God for my job.
We have some issues with our flat AND our landlord – but I’m grateful for this little haven. It’s a gorgeous little flat. Near to everyone we love and near enough to everywhere we need to be. We’ve been able to host a few fun evenings and dinners here. It’s perfect for us.
I did say I wouldn’t go on about how busy I am. but I AM busy! Lots of the things I have to do are great though. I love my writing, though I’m constantly playing catch up. Meself and himself have attended/taken some meetings at another church which has meant we’ve been going to two churches at the same time really. Will be able to give you the whys and wherefores of that soon, but it’s the best reason in the world to be busy. And though I miss Spirit Radio I still am able to give them a hand with some stuff, from across the water. I thank God for all the interesting things I have to do, as well as my full-time job – see #1 🙂
I seem to be ‘well’ at the moment. Only a short-term cold a few weeks ago, none of the autumn/winter lurgy that usually floors me this time of year. Emotionally, I feel positive, hopeful and excited about the future… as I said… more anon. It’s so nice to love Ireland but not be sad and pining for it; which I did a lot of when I lived here in Wales the last time. I feel really settled and happy to be living here.
Myself and himself, though a lot of our 15 years together have been difficult, we’re happier than we’ve ever been. I don’t shove that in anyone’s face, or feel any sense of superiority about it. I know lots of people who didn’t come out the other side of difficulties as we have; and I don’t take it for granted. But I am thankful.
I’m so grateful to you aswell. I’ve been a most unfaithful blogger, but you readers seem to be very supportive. I don’t have a big audience, but I do have a faithful one, so thanks for that. And thanks for reading my ramblings. I mean it! Thank you
There are some new things coming my way and they may even change the ‘theme’ of this blog – not that it ever had a theme. Not sure what will happen really. But right here and right now, I’m thankful to God for all I have and hoping in Him for all that is to come.
I’m writing this after a really difficult week. I’ve been very stressed and emotional this week, due to work and personal stuff that’s going on. It culminated in a total meltdown while driving on Thursday. I came off the motorway on to a multi-junction roundabout, took the wrong exit and ended up on the motorway again, going back the way I came. And I lost it – TOTALLY lost it. I was stuck in the traffic, crawling up the motorway, crying hysterically, shouting at God.
It wasn’t pretty.
On calmer reflection, I know that I had a massive over reaction to taking the wrong exit on a roundabout. By that stage I had moved into straw and camel’s backs territory, and I think that is because I didn’t manage the stress as it built. I was out or busy every night this past week. I’d left some writing deadlines to the last minute (plus 48 hours in one case), and I hadn’t had enough sleep. There were other things during the week that I had no control over, but I hadn’t handled the things I could control.
I’m not beating myself up, I’m just trying to analyse the week in a productive way, so I can avoid the future risk of a charge of ‘driving without due care and attention’.
What concerned me as I thought about it after, is how easy it was to pass the tipping point. How quickly I found that there was nothing left; nothing spare that I could harness to deal with my angst. So, I came home from work last night and decided not to go to an event I’d planned to. I had already decided not to go to to a meeting today – even though I REALLY wanted to go.
I know I need to look after myself better; last week was a clear sign of that. And I think I got the answer to all the, “why, why, why” I gave to God as I drove up the road. It’s because I was so tired and brain-addled that I couldn’t even think straight to negotiate a roundabout! That needs sorting.
So, as I am doing, I would just encourage you to think about your day and your week. Take today – to think about your mental health. Make a list of the week ahead and see if there is anything that can be crossed off. Reach out if you need help with the stuff that can’t be changed. If you’ve ever been tempted to pray to God, then do it; prayer is powerful and restful.
And take good care of yourself – especially if I’m on the roads!
E is for Excited, Encouraged & Extraordinary
D is for Disappointment
C is for Calling
B is for Balance
Actually, there are things I don’t like and don’t agree with; but I’m actually offended by very little.
These words sum up the sense that I have as I write this blog post. Over the past 12 months, no, over the past 18 months, actually, over the past 8 years, although it’s really over the past 17 years… God has done immeasurably more for us than we could ask or imagine.
Just another Christian woman... 