What is it like being a pastor or a pastor’s wife?

What is it like to walk in your pastors’ shoes? Does being your pastor bring them joy? Or does it make them groan?
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
A few years ago, I contacted several pastors and their wives to learn about their joys and “groanings” and ask how their church members could best support and encourage them.
I appreciated their candor when they shared how difficult it is for them to come alongside us in our struggles attempting to strike the right balance between being there for us and helping us learn to depend on our powerful, ever-present God. It hurts them when people feel offended when they (pastors) don’t do more.
The pastors I spoke with are hands-on and try to stay in touch with their congregation – even when they’re exhausted or dealing with their own personal or family issues. Many of them juggle a second job to make ends meet.
Sometimes, our pastors end the day discouraged, wondering if their labor is bearing fruit and praying for strength to continue. Based on the responses I received, the worst thing about being married to a pastor is hearing people in the congregation criticize their spouse.
On a higher note, our pastors and their wives live to serve God and bring individuals to Christ. They rejoice every time they see someone’s life transformed by God’s grace. Pastors feel tremendous joy seeing that person paying it forward by investing in others. Several pastors said paying it forward is a great way to show our appreciation for all they do for us.
We can also thank our pastors and their wives in tangible and practical ways by giving free babysitting services, a gift card to their favorite restaurant, or a paid fun getaway.
One pastor said it would be an honor to help church members who feel God is calling them to a ministry: “I cannot think of anything that would show me more love than this.”
Above all, each pastor and his wife said they covet our prayers for them. I have no doubt that our prayers could help them shoulder their responsibilities with more joy and less groaning.
Let’s commit to praying for our pastors and their wives every day. Then let them know we’re doing it.

Sheryl H. Boldt is a sales executive for Wave 94 and author of the blog, TodayCanBeDifferent.net. Connect with her at SherylHBoldt.Wave94@gmail.com.