Welcome back to another episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast! Today’s guest is Bible teacher, theologian, author, and the founder of the Woodson Institute–Ms. Elizabeth Woodson! Today, host Amy Petersen spends time with Elizabeth to discuss the challenges and joys of being a ministry wife. They explore how to embrace the ministry you have, find joy in life’s disappointments, and navigate those complicated feelings of comparison. Elizabeth shares her personal journey in ministry, the importance of lament, and practical steps for moving forward when you feel stuck. 

If you find yourself struggling to feel God’s love for you here in your current season of ministry, wondering how to move forward, or in need of guidance as you navigate a challenging situation, uncover the insight and resources to help you embrace your ministry wife life–all for His glory and for your good.

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Welcome back to season six of the Ministry Wives Podcast! We’re excited to launch our newest season with special guest Dr. Juli Slattery. 

Do you ever feel like a volunteer in your marriage to the minister? Today, I get to spend a little time chatting with wife, mom, clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and founder of Authentic Intimacy, Dr. Juli Slattery. In our conversation, we walk through finding your place within God’s design for marriage and sex. We also discuss the intimacy and connection to be found through intentional community with those in the family of God.

If you’re feeling isolated in your marriage or ministry, or if you’re not sure where to turn for insight in this area of your life, tune in to discover the insight and resources to help get your marriage relationship back on track.

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What realistic goals or milestones can families begin to implement as they desire more freedom in their budget? Today, I am chatting with Angie McClain, a certified financial planner with GuideStone. When you feel like you’re on a limited budget, how can you handle your money effectively, live as a good steward, practice financial thoughtfulness, and teach your children well? We’re going to dive into all these areas of financial planning here in this episode!

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How do you manage the regular rhythms of ministry while caring for your family and starting a new church? In this episode, I chat with church planting wife Joy Ross. She currently serves church planting families, has been married for over twenty years, and is a mom of six. Joy and I dive into the nuances of family life within the first few years of marriage and ministry, specifically in the church planting context. So, if you wrestle with your role in ministry and are facing tough questions like, “Is this normal? Am I weird? Are we even making a difference? Are we messing up our kids?”, I pray that this conversation will bring your concerns into the light and help diffuse their false power over you as we tether our hearts to Jesus and pursue His calling upon our lives in each new season.

Pastoral Care Line

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With busy schedules in ministry, how do you and your husband make time for each other? Today, I have a conversation with Margie Frank. Margie is a mom of grown kids and is a ministry wife who resides in Tyler, Texas. She teaches and speaks to women’s groups and together with her husband Hixon speaks on marriage and the family. In this episode, we talk about intimacy when you are married to the minister. Yes, my friends. We’re going to talk about emotional and physical intimacy and how easy it is to live like a church volunteer in your marriage. If this lands on your thirsty heart, I pray that our conversation will be an encouragement to you.

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What are some practices that you and your husband have established to help you maintain mental wellness? In this episode, Janet Dance, wife to Guidestone’s Director of Pastoral Wellness, Mark Dance, talks specifically about loving your husband through his mental health struggles. So, if you find your minister husband struggling and feel that you have to hold it all together and do so alone, I really hope this conversation will encourage you.

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How can we break away from unrealistic expectations in parenting that either others have set for us or we have set for ourselves? In this episode, I talk with Jeannie Cunnion. She is a preacher’s kid and understands what it’s like growing up in a ministry setting. She has five boys and has written some really beautiful grace-filled books about parenting, my favorite of which is Mom Set Free. If you are a mom who feels the “pressure to get it all right,” this conversation will meet you where you are, and I pray it will encourage you. 

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As ministry wives, how can we walk alongside families with disabilities in our church and community? In this episode, Missie Branch talks about special needs families in the church. Missie shares her firsthand experience and their story, which is so impactful for families like theirs and for all ministry wives who serve those families in the church. So, if you are looking to support families with special needs or if you are a ministry wife who feels left out, this episode is for you.

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How do you navigate healthy rhythms of home life and ministry simultaneously? In this episode, I had the privilege of chatting with Tara Dew. She has loved Jesus for as long as she can remember, growing up in a Christian home and meeting her husband in the church youth group. This is such an encouraging and helpful conversation that gives some practical tips to get started with developing healthy rhythms within your home and ways to engage your kids to participate. So, if you look around your house discontented and see all the clutter and don’t know what to do about it, this episode is for you.

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How do you encourage your kids to share Jesus in creative ways that are authentic to them? In this episode, Catherine Renfro, the National Director of Women’s Evangelism at the North American Mission Board, shares creative ways to weave evangelism into your kids’ lives. If you are a ministry wife who talks about Jesus at your church and to your church people but don’t know how to with your kids, we hope you’ll find encouragement in this conversation.

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