I spent 20 years of my life as a pastor’s wife. The role of a pastor’s wife is a precarious space to occupy as stereotypes, expectations, and pressures abound! Today, I’m talking with three pastor’s wives and they are giving us an inside look at the ins and outs of this role.
Jessica Taylor, Jenna Allen, and Stephanie Gilbert are co-hosts of the Pastors’ Wives Tell All podcast and co-authors of Pastors’ Wives Tell All: Navigating Real Church Life with Honesty and Humor. Collectively, through their Pastors’ Wives Tell All ministry, they are breaking down walls within the Church and crushing the pastor’s wife stereotypes with a little bit of ministry, therapy, and a whole lot of Jesus.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Some of the stereotypes people often carry of a pastor’s wife
- The importance of pastors’ wives finding their own calling
- Ways that we can encourage and support those in this role
- And so much more…
This is an important conversation for all of us to understand better how to love the spouse of our pastor well.
(As we start into our fifth year of the podcast, you’ll start hearing a shoutout at the beginning of each episode. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate our listeners, and specifically the transformation and celebrations in your life. Want to reach out to us? You can contact us here on our website or text our new No More Perfect hotline at 309-431-1718.)
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- [BOOK] Pastors’ Wives Tell All
- Pastors’ Wives Tell All Podcast
- Connect with Pastors’ Wives Tell All on their website, Facebook, or Instagram
- Join me at the Empty Nest Full Life Retreat!
- As a thank you for listening, get your 3 free eBooks.
My Key Takeaways:
1) They are human. It is so important to understand that pastors’ wives are human too! They make mistakes, have struggles, and need support just like the rest of us. Historically, the Church has placed expectations on pastors’ wives to be the perfect wife, not have a hair out of place, and have children that behave like angels. Changing this idea starts with having vulnerability in our churches. We need to be willing to talk about when we fail, accept the imperfections of others, and create a culture where we can be honest about our struggles.
2) Replace judgment with grace. If we are honest and call to mind the image of a pastor’s wife, you might find that you imagined someone who is always serving others or plays the piano at Sunday morning service. Rather than placing expectations on our pastor’s wife, we need to make space for her to be who God has called her to be.
3) Offer up your friendship. One of the biggest encouragements you can offer a pastor’s wife is your friendship. Seek to be a safe place to hold her worries, encourage her when she is stressed, and lean on one another. The role of the pastor’s wife can feel isolating, but you have the ability to minister to them with your genuine friendship.
About Jessica, Jenna, & Stephanie:
Jessica Taylor, Jenna Allen, and Stephanie Gilbert are co-hosts of the Pastors’ Wives Tell All podcast and co-authors of Pastors’ Wives Tell All: Navigating Real Church Life with Honesty and Humor. Jessica is a speaker, pastor’s wife, and founder of Come Away Missions, a nonprofit serving the people of Rwanda. Jenna is a creative, photographer, tech wiz, business owner, speaker, and discipleship/worship pastor’s wife who brings beauty and a clear message into every project she touches. Stephanie is a blogger, speaker, and youth minister’s wife who has made it her mission to seek out joy amid the junk of everyday life. Collectively, through their Pastors’ Wives Tell All ministry, they are breaking down walls within the church and crushing the pastor’s wife stereotypes with a little bit of ministry, therapy, and a whole lot of Jesus.
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