The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director. Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year. God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started i...
The following blog was written by my good friend, Pastor Tara Sloan. Tara and I have known each other since about 1999 (I think! It's been at least that long but I can't remember how long exactly.) We both enjoy Ruby Tuesday's salad bar, and Sara Groves Music. Our lives were never the same after attending a women in ministry conference in Springfield, MO together. We made a promise to each other on a bus that we'll never forget. (It's a secret, but when this ministry dream happens for us, we'll let you know!) She and her husband Craig are a dynamic duo. I enjoy hearing anything Tara or Craig preach or write. Anyway, Tara is a great pastor, great wife, Mother of five beautiful girls, leader, role model, etc. and you should check out her blog at www.tarasloan.blogspot.com. This is an exceptional blog she wrote about not being boxed into people's design for you, but to fulfill the unique call of God upon your life. I don't reprint things very often from anywhere else, but when a friend writes something that really strikes a chord with me, and I want to share it with everybody, I do. Here it is...
I have issues. Ha! Got your attention. Yes, I have issues, you have issues, and we all have issues! However, one of my biggest issues is not with myself, but with people who try to confine me into what they desire me to be. Honestly, I cannot stand it! Whenever I feel like I am being forced into a box, I come out kicking and screaming. Okay, not literally, but inwardly and when I vent to Craig at home. I simply refuse to be put into a box.
In Jeremiah, the Lord says that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” I take that as meaning we’re all different, because really, what would be so wonderful about making billions of the same person over and over and over?
Maybe it is just me, but I like being different. I like “shocking” people and making them think. Not in a bad way, but in a necessary way!
Craig and I were at a gathering of pastors and ministers once where I had not met some of the people. So, we’re being introduced here and there as “Pastor Craig Sloan, and this is Pastor Craig’s wife.” Now, understand that Craig and I both laughed and re-introduced us as, “Pastors Craig and Tara Sloan, from Oxford, Alabama.” As we walked off the people who had been introducing us tried to explain why they were introducing us the way they were. It really meant nothing to me; I had gotten my point across. I was NOT going into that box!
Even if I were not a licensed pastor, I would still have a problem with being introduced as Pastor Craig’s wife. I mean, of course I am his wife, but I also have a name! And an identity of my own!
For too long, women in ministry and pastors’ wives have been compartmentalized, categorized, labeled, and boxed up. We are expected to act a certain way, talk a certain way, look a certain way, and perform a certain way.
Recently an article published in Time Magazine about pastors’ wives, “Pastors’ Wives Come Together.”, troubled me. At first I thought, “Wow! How great! A secular article about unifying pastor’s wives!” Then I read it and I was disappointed.
The article begins with a ridiculous “job description” for the pastor’s wife. In the next paragraph, looming statistics declare the role of a pastoral spouse as the most miserable job in the universe. In addition, the pastor’s wife is also slated as the number one reason pastors live the ministry.
The article does give kudos to some Anyway, it is sad situation when pastor’s wives are feeling the way they do. According to statistics:
* Eighty percent of pastor's wives feel left out and unappreciated by the church members.
* Eighty percent of pastors' spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession.
* Eighty percent of pastors' wives feel pressured to do things and be something in the church that they are really not.
* The majority of pastor's wives surveyed said that the most destructive event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered the ministry.
After reading these statistics and many more, I began to feel a mixture of emotions. First, I felt bewildered! I wondered where in the world they found these women! Who had they spoken to? It was hard for me to grasp.
Then I got angry. I got angry that these women were made to feel this way. I got angry because deep down, every pastoral couple knows that they are both called into ministry together. I got angry because I know the very reason these women are suffering is because they are being forced into a box. They are tired of fighting, they are weary from trying to please everyone, and they are fed up with being expected to be perfect.
I am all for the online support. I frequent those boards myself Anyway, it is sad situation when pastor’s wives are feeling the way they do. According to statistics:
* Eighty percent of pastor's wives feel left out and unappreciated by the church members.
* Eighty percent of pastors' spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession.
* Eighty percent of pastors' wives feel pressured to do things and be something in the church that they are really not.
* The majority of pastor's wives surveyed said that the most destructive event that has occurred in their marriage and family was the day they entered the ministry.
After reading these statistics and many more, I began to feel a mixture of emotions. First, I felt bewildered! I wondered where in the world they found these women! Who had they spoken to? It was hard for me to grasp.
Then I got angry. I got angry that these women were made to feel this way. I got angry because deep down, every pastoral couple knows that they are both called into ministry together. I got angry because I know the very reason these women are suffering is because they are being forced into a box. They are tired of fighting, they are weary from trying to please everyone, and they are fed up with being expected to be perfect.
I am all for the online support. I frequent those boards myself but I also know that a lot more than whining, complaining and recipe swapping goes on there. The women on those boards are God fearing, praying, encouraging, talented, called, chosen, and fired up women of destiny!
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