Posted by Rodetta Cook

Rodetta Cook has been a pastor’s wife for over 40 years. She and her husband, Ron, have actively served the Lord together in ministry during the entire time and are co-founders of Care for Pastors. She understands the expectations, loneliness and how hard it is to find balance in ministry as a pastor’s wife. Rodetta also leads the pastor’s wives initiative at Care for Pastors called The Confidante and ministers to hundreds of wives each week. She strives to share blogs with other pastors’ wives that will help them in their ministry walk.

Posted by Rodetta Cook

Topics: Expectations · For Pastors' Wives

Before You Pick Your Lifetime Pastor

Monday, May 25, 2015

I want us to look at a topic today that I wonder if any of us thought about before we said “I do” to our husbands, and that is: “I am choosing my lifetime pastor.” Of course this will not apply to those of you whose husbands were called into ministry after you were married, although he is still your lifetime pastor.

When you married your husband, did you realize you were choosing your lifetime pastor? I know I didn’t think about it. Of course I was only eighteen years old when we got married; however, I did know he was called to be a pastor. But it never crossed my mind that he would be my lifetime pastor. I can’t just decide I want to go to another church because I don’t like the pastor. I can’t decide I don’t like what he preaches so I’m just not going back to church. The list could go on and on, but he is my lifetime pastor.

I am fortunate to have a wonderful pastor (husband). But I heard another pastor’s wife say her father had asked her that question when she was dating her husband (pastor) and it gave her something to really think about before she said “I do” to him.

I believe as a pastor’s wife I am called to ministry just like my husband. My role is different, but it is a calling. If it is not a calling, then life is going to be miserable. I knew at the young age of 14 that God was calling me into full-time ministry. I wasn’t sure at that time what exactly that full-time ministry would look like. But 36 years later, I am so thankful I said “yes” to that calling.

I know this doesn’t apply to most of us because we have been married to our “lifetime” pastor for some time, but I thought it might be a topic you could use for those young ladies you may know who are contemplating marrying a pastor.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject.