Another “downfall” of being a pastor’s wife is Sunday Mornings. Yeah, that’s when we go to church. But church for pastor’s wives is different. We don’t get up on Sunday Mornings as a family and make breakfast and watch cartoons with the kids in our pjs. My hubby rolls out of bed around 4am or something insane to get to the church. It’s a work day for him. Which leaves me at home alone on Sunday’s. Lately, since our church went portable, I’ve been getting up and going with him to help with set up (because im that nutty supportive wife). However, in a few months I will be home getting a baby ready all by myself.

I love to hear people talk about their Sunday mornings as a family. Coffee and donuts. Homemade pancakes. Cartoons in pjs. Getting ready and going to church as a family.

My children will never know this. Sundays will likely be a morning of craziness with mom.

I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Because we are changing lives. It’s what we do. I’m so proud of my husband and happy to support him. Even if that means no Sunday morning routines as a family. I’m proud that my kids will see my husband dedicating his life to serve the Lord and lead others to Him.  What a great example he will set for them!! (Plus, they’ll LOVE getting to watch dad on stage!)

Pastor’s Wives – What does your Sunday routine look like with the kids or just you and hubby?

Church Attenders – What does your Sunday routine look like?? I encourage you to make it a fun family day if you aren’t already!

Hi, I’m a pastor’s wife. 

A downfall of being a pastor’s wife…I sit alone.  Well, I worship alone. One of my favorite things is standing next to my hubby in worship. Mostly because he has an amazing voice and I like listening to him sing.  But my hubby is a Worship Pastor. I can’t tell you how many times people look at the poor girl sitting by herself and give me that “you poor thing look”.  Especially when they see the wedding ring.  Then they really feel sorry for me because they think I have a dead beat husband who is at home watching football instead of being at church with his wife. And add in the pregnant belly…it’s even more entertaining for me!

A pastor’s wife that I follow, recently wrote a blog about this topic.  She says that she sits on the front row b/c that is where she is most supportive of her husband.  This is not the case for me though.  Honestly, I think my hubs is way to sexy and if I sit that close, I’m more engaged in him during Worship than my #1 love.

Because, my hubby is my #2 and always will be. 

I hide in the back, in the dark.  Another reason I do this, is for my husband’s sake.  He gets distracted very easily.  I fear that if I’m right in front of him I will be a distraction to him when his purpose is to lead people to the feet of Christ…not to check out his wife on the front row.  That’s just why I do it.

Pastor’s wives: what is your preference on where you sit if your hubby is an “on stage guy”?

Church Attenders: what is your honest view of pastor’s wives and how we should encourage our husbands? Seriously…I’m curious!

Alright, here’s my Friday blog.  (Yes, I know…I’ve become a terrible blogger).

Last night I had the privilege of sitting with the Kingsfield staff to talk and dream about what is ahead for our church. 

It was different.

I used to work in full time ministry.  Now I plan events for a corporate, “worldly, if you will” company.  It was different for me to be the “outsider” in this meeting.  But I am learning a lot through this new prospective.  I so appreciate the importance that KFC (yeah… Kingsfield Church…KFC.  I love it) puts on the pastor’s wives.  Our voice matters! Heck yeah!

As we move forward with a really exciting adventure with our church, I am searching for my place to fit in.  I’ve been taking the sidelines for a while since we have moved, started with a new church, me at a new job, etc etc etc.  But how can I expect our people to step up and do something if I’m not doing my part?

This is where a huge passion of mine comes in: volunteering with your church. 

It aggravates me when people sit their hiney ends in their chair every week at church and do NOTHING.  Usually, they get frustrated with the way some things are done.  GREAT! That’s where you should be serving.

Are you giving back to your church? If not, how can you?

Do you get frustrated about the children’s ministry? SERVE THERE.

Do you get frustrated with tech stuff? SERVE THERE.

Do you get frustrated that the donuts aren’t layed out correctly? SERVE THERE.

Instead of complaining, make a difference.

That’s all I got.  I can’t wait to partner with our staff and help connect people to life in Christ! I can’t wait to help people see their potential in serving their church! What an exciting thing God has given us.

Sometimes it’s difficult to find good girlfriends as a pastors wife.  I mean real, down-to-earth girls who get you, and understand you.  Sometimes you wonder if people just want to be your friend to get in the “know” of what’s going on at the church, or they don’t want to be your friend because you’re so “holy”.  Oh goodness, I’m far from holy! I think the closest I get are the holes in my jeans.  It’s like we have a plague or something sometimes!

I’m so thankful for my friend Wendy.  She has been one of the greatest mentors and friends to me.  I’m thankful for her experience in the ministry as a Pastor’s Wife and how I know I can always be transparent with her and she completely gets me and understands.  I’m still learning this Pastor’s Wife role.  Not always the easiest, especially in our first church change and starting all over.

If you’re a pastor’s wife or work in the ministry, do you ever struggle with this?

If you aren’t, is it difficult for you to be friends with Pastors Wives? Come on, be honest!!

This morning Brook and I will spend our last morning at Lifechurch.tv.

We know that God is leading us to something big and we are excited about what that may be.  Sometimes things happen that we don’t really understand, but yet we are called to something new and to give something up for the better of God’s ministry.

LifeChurch has been a huge part of our lives for many years.  We met at LifeChurch, we poured our hearts and souls in to LifeChurch.  But when it comes down to it, LifeChurch is just a building with people.  Our ministry doesn’t end here, it was only the very beginning of God’s work through us.  And what a great start we had!

Brook is leading a new song this morning that has really been speaking to me.  Here are the words:

To the desperate eyes and reaching hands
To the suffering and the lean
To the ones the world has cast aside
Where you want me I will be

I will go
I will go
I will go Lord send me
To the world
To the lost
To the poor and hungry
Take everything I am
Clay within your hands
I will go
I will go
Send me

Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to seek the pain
Let the blessing You’ve poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change

I wanna live for you
Go where you lead me
I wanna follow you

Brook and I have been married six months.  It feels like six years!! In such a good way though.  I absolutely love being married.  There is nothing better in the entire world.  I love having a person I’m completely comfortable being myself with, no matter how weird I may be.  He loves me unconditionally and would do anything to make me happy.  You can’t beat that.  

However, I had no warning about the hard stuff.  When I said “i do”, I not only became his wife but I became a pastor’s wife.  AH! Why was there no warning about how difficult that would be at times? I’ve worked in ministry myself for years, but this side is quite different.  It’s a joy and an honor to be his partner in ministry.  I love that he values my opinion so highly and always wants my help.  But ministry is not as easy as it looks.  You are held to such a higher standard and much more is expected of you.  How do you deal with the people that aren’t always “nice” to the person that you love more than anything in the world? It’s difficult to draw the line between a Godly woman and a crazy woman.  Sometimes I just need to be crazy and tell people how I feel about them!!  

I’m learning.  Every single day I’m learning how to deal with different situations and how to support my husband.  I’m thankful for the amazing women God has placed in my life who have already done this for many years.  I would be lost without that guidance and knowledge. (Thanks Wendy!)

Marriage is the most amazing thing! I can’t wait for the next 6 months and the MANY more after that.  How blessed I am!!

So after reading this blog last week, it was really weighing on me about being more bold in inviting people to church.  I have never understood why it’s so difficult.  Even when I worked at the church it was hard for me.  And you would think as a pastors wife this stuff like runs in my veins, but surprise…pastor’s wives aren’t perfect!! SHOCKER!

Yesterday I was at Subway getting dinner for Brook and I before Switch like I do most wednesdays. I frequent the Subway around the corner from the church because it’s so quick and easy.  There is a sweet girl that works there and I always enjoy seeing.  I had on a LifeChurch.tv shirt and when she sees this her eyes get all big with an excited look on her face and she says:

” DO YOU GO TO LIFECHURCH?!!?”

Why yes I do. 

She goes on to tell me that she’s really been wanted to start coming.  Well naturally this strikes up conversation with the entire Subway about LifeChurch.  Well…maybe not naturally but this is possible the slowest Subway in the history of the world and for once it was a good thing they are slow sandwich makers. So it was cool to share about my church with them.  And why shouldn’t I? I’m very proud of it!

Anyway, the girl’s name is Liz and she’s really been on my heart today.  I want to make an effort to make sure she gets connected in church.  I want her to be accepted and loved.  This also got me to thinking. Sometimes I take this for granted.  I have it so easy.  I am the Worship Pastor’s wife, everyone knows who I am.  Ok…that’s mostly a lie.  Most people are probably thinking “who is that crazy girl following Brook around like a little lost puppy”.  But the point is, people typically accept Brook & I and want to be a part of our lives because of our involvement in the ministry (either that or they stay far far away!).  But I never have to worry about going to church and no one saying hi to me or loving me.  I never want this to happen to people who come to visit! (And I should know it doesn’t because of our studly host team!!)

Moral of the story is…  Sometimes your mission field can really suprise you, so always be prepared.

SHARE TIME (and I’m curious):

Who can you reach out to and make them feel welcome & loved?

What are some unquie ways you invite people to church?

What is your mission field?

I just wanted to brag on my husband a little today.  I’m proud of him everyday, but somedays outshine others and I feel like I’m bursting with proud-ness.  Today, our church hosted a deployment party for the 56th Brigade at the Naval Base here in Fort Worth.  Our lifegroups are teaming up with the families there who’s loved ones are going to Iraq.  Now I am thankful that I don’t even have to think about what it would be like to watch my husband go halfway across the world and fight for our country, but then I realized he’s doing that right here in Fort Worth, TX.  

Hearing people talk about Brook and they way he has impacted their lives through Worship, makes me realize he is a solider every week when he gets on the “front lines” of our campus to lead people to Christ. I know he would argue that it’s no where as cool as wearing camo and playing with guns, but in my mind it’s just as important (and quite a bit safer!)   

I’m so proud to watch him give it his all, sing a TON of songs, play in the 105 degree Texas sun with NO shade, and never complain once.  Oh, and he also lead all morning at church! He’s pretty much my hero and I daily learn from him how to be a solider for Christ and do “and then some” to help the people who are truly in need.

Proud of you baby. 

WHAT?!?!?!?! 

I know you’re starting to think I fell and hit my head or something is seriously wrong with me.  I’m starting to think the same thing! But it’s true… it’s not about that.  It’s about building a successful marriage.  A marriage to last a lifetime.  That doesn’t happen in one day.  My darling, sweet, and stunningly handsome husband made a post on his blog yesterday that was oh-so-true.  

Now don’t get me wrong, I still think weddings are the bomb diggity. They get me excited and make me want to burst randomly into song.  But I worry that too many times brides and grooms to be focus too much on their big day and not enough on what happens after that exciting send-off.  Only being a newlywed for 5 months, I’ve learned a lot but I sure have a lot more to learn! 

So my encouragement to brides….focus on what is to come.  You can still plan the party of the century (or leave that up to me ) and plan for your future.  Learn your mate….really learn them. Learn how to LOVE them and the best ways to do it.  Ask the hard questions and don’t be afraid to get out if you know it’s not what God has for you.  I recently had a great friend end an engagement because she knew God had something better.  It was truly a life changing experience for me to watch her go through what she did, and I’m so excited to see what the future holds for her because it’s not in her hands anymore.  It won’t always be easy! But when you’re with the person God MADE for you, there’s nothing better in the world.  

Even when he leaves his dirty socks on the floor and doesn’t understand your “cooking techniques”. 

Ok…back to thinking weddings are everything.