Podcast Episode #054

I've written on pastors' wives a few times here at the blog and every time I do, people flock to the posts. So this week, we looked at these posts and discussed all things related to the pastor's wife: expectations, loneliness, parenting, friendships, the desire for mentors, and so much more. Here are the points we covered:

Seven Things Pastors’ Wives Wish They Had Been Told Before They Became Pastors’ Wives - April 2013

* I wish someone had told me just to be myself.

* I wish someone had prepared me to deal with criticism of my husband and me.

* I wish someone had reminded me that my husband is human.

* I wish someone had told me that others were watching us (the glass house syndrome).

* I wish someone had told me there are some really mean people in the church.

* I wish someone had told me how much my husband needs me to build him up.

* I wish someone had told me that my schedule will never be normal again.

11 Things I Learned from Pastors’ Wives - January 2014

* The number one challenge for pastors’ wives is loneliness.

* These ladies need to know they have the love and support of their husbands.

* A pastor’s wife does not want a church member to tell her what her “job” at the church is.

* She would like church members to understand that neither she nor her family is perfect.

* The pastor’s wife does not want to field complaints from church members about her husband.

* The pastors’ wives who entered ministry with no forewarning about the issues they would face were the ones who stressed the most.

* She does not want to be told she needs to work to support her husband and family.

* While most pastors’ wives affirm their identity as a wife in ministry, they do not want that to be their only identity.

* Many pastors’ wives believe they need training for their roles.

* These ladies want to be reminded again and again to keep their focus on Christ.

* Many pastors’ wives want a means where they can support one another.

Twelve Reasons Pastors’ Wives Are Lonely - February 2014

* Superficial relationships in the church.

* A busy pastor/husband.

* Mean church members.

* A conduit for complaints about her husband.

* Broken confidences.

* Frequent moves.

* Viewed as a second-class person.

* Lack of support groups.

* No date nights.

* Complaints about children.

* Husband does not give the wife priority.

* Financial struggles.

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