“Don’t be consumed with talking about the church at home all the time. If you are consumed with your issues at home, simply resolve to pray about it together and truly give it to God. Simply say your ‘Amens,’ and leave it there.”
Teresa Merritt from My Husband Wants to be a Church Planter… So What Will That Make Me?
“Communication is crucial for the success of the plant and your relationship with your husband. You cannot let things fester or go unspoken. Scheduling time to ‘unpack’ things is a way to help stay on track. My husband and I spend part of Mondays just talking about the service. We discuss the things that worked well, things that did not, potential problems and ideas. We also spend time addressing how we are feeling. As a woman, I have had a roller coaster of emotions and feelings. The first couple of years of planting a church are hard work, and the wave of emotions that come with planting a church can range from excitement to fear, frustration, anger, disappointment, self-doubt, guilt, and possibly even resentment. Talking about them with your spouse takes their power away and helps you to work through legitimate issues that need to be addressed and to identify the untruths Satan has whispered in your ears.”
Nokona Koenig from
My Husband wants to be a Church Planter… So What Will That Make Me?
With the school year getting ready to start, here’s something to think about….
“If your kid is in three activities and you are in zero, that’s not unselfish of you. It’s unbalanced. If you don’t like sports, take a class in something you’re interested in-maybe scrapbooking or sewing or photography. Take piano lessons. Join a book club or a Bible study. Read a book for fun.
You should have a chance to do something fun, a chance to play, without your kids… Be sure your schedule includes some playtime for you.”
Keri Wyatt Kent from the book
Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life
“In childbirth there is usually much pain, but when you look into the eyes of that precious child that God has entrusted to you, all the pain fades. The love you experience at that moment is the most intense you will ever experience. The birth of a church can also bring great pain, but just as the child grows and matures, this church (with God’s hand upon it) will too, and when you look back years from now there will be little memory of pain-only joy and a sense of fulfillment as you celebrate the work of our Heaven Father.”
Quote from John M. Bailey from the book My Husband wants to be a Church Planter… So What Will That Make Me?
“For many of us, one of the hardest spiritual exercises we face is the discipline of rest. As your family plants the church you will find your days filled with endless activities and ever increasing demands. Slowing down, relaxing, and finding time to refresh our body and spirit can seem self indulgent or lazy. The truth is, without the discipline of rest, our effectiveness in ministry will be hindered.”
Quote from Bob Lepine from the book My Husband wants to be a Church Planter… So What Will That Make Me?
The following post was written by church planter wife Debbie Toole. Debbie and her husband live in Old Hickory, Tennessee.
On the way home from vacation last week, we were on Interstate 24 when we came upon a horrible accident involving an 18-wheeler. Two miles past the scene, traffic was backed up and at a standstill; passengers milling about in the median, talking amongst themselves, I’m sure speculating what the hold-up could be. They were too far away to see the bevy of service vehicles, much less all the debris, dotted along the interstate. As we continued to pass the unmoving vehicles, I began to think how the past eighteen months of our lives have felt like being stuck in that backed-up traffic.
Planting churches is my husband’s passion; he has done it time and again with enthusiasm and ease. So we expected this experience to be the same. Without a doubt we know God called us to this again in this place twenty months ago. There were too many “signs and wonders.” God supernaturally cleared the path for us to come here. So what’s going on? Why aren’t things moving along? At every turn, doors have closed, and there don’t seem to be any out there right now with the possibility of opening. I finally found a job, but after 18 months of searching, my husband is still unemployed. It is a struggle to make ends meet. We feel stuck on the highway, not knowing what the problem is, wandering around in the median making no progress, and quickly running out of gas (both figuratively and literally!). Some days, the only thing keeping us going is the knowledge that we ARE on the right road; even if sometimes it doesn’t feel like it.
Honestly, there are days I want to pull the covers over my head and refuse to go on. This is NOT the place I envisioned myself at this stage in my life. There are also days I want to pout and complain to God, insisting that He must not be fully aware of our situation because if He were, He’d surely be doing something about it! But even on my worst days, God still speaks…..I just have to stop complaining and be quiet long enough to hear Him.
He keeps whispering, “I know what’s going on and you’re going to be okay. I’m clearing the way, again, for you to continue on the road I’ve directed. Just remember that I’m still in control and I’m taking care of everything. When it’s time to proceed, the road will be clear. Oh, and just a reminder, I love you!”
So for now, as I’m milling about the median waiting for signs of movement, I’m taking lots of deep breaths, repeating to myself Who’s in charge (and it’s not me!), and reminding myself to rest in God’s faithfulness.
“Peace comes in realizing that God doesn’t ask you to live beyond your capabilities. Frequently He stretches His children, but in those times He alwaysy provides the means and the desire to accomplish His will. God knows each woman’s personality andn gifts and directs her into filling her place in the kingdom of God.”
Quote from Joyce Jackson from the book My Husband wants to be a Church Planter… So What Will That Make Me?
“Let people in your home and let them hear you laugh and be ridiculous. Let them help you cook and clean up and see you serve and learn to serve. Let them see you as real and in that reality see you work out your relationship with your husband and your God. They will see it and be amazed.”
Quote from Kim McManus from the book My Husband wants to be a Church Planter… So What Will That Make Me?
