Tim and I are in Fort Myers for the Annual Regional Pastors’ Conference. Well, Tim is here for the conference, and I am here to spend time with the wives. And what a great time is has been so far! Being a pastor’s wife is one thing, but being a regional pastor’s wife…well, that’s another whole way of doing ministry together (and some of us do both). Regional pastoring involves a lot more travel from church to church, less connection to a local congregation or single location, and much more interaction with church problems as well as solutions. Pastoring is more deeply connected to one body. We are currently doing both as Tim is regional pastor for Texas, while helping the church in Vero Beach through their crisis as their interim pastor.
Pastoring has its ups and downs, as church members don’t always appreciate the hard work pastors put into their congregations. Sometimes they get stuck, or plateau. Sometimes church members are less than cordial (to put it nicely). It’s always a blessing when the church blesses the pastor.
Regional pastoring is like the next layer if you put it into organizational terminology. It involves coaching and encouraging pastors, and supporting congregations in crisis as well as in mountain-top experiences. The job is challenging, frustrating, exhilarating, rewarding, encouraging, exhausting, makes you want to shout hallelujah and makes you want to quit all at the same time. Yet, we love what we do as we know God has called us to this type of service. While it is my husband’s “job,” I am very much involved in the support of the church, and we love doing ministry together.
The regional pastors’ wives get together so infrequently we often forget each other’s names in between gatherings; but once we start talking it is as though we never had a separation. Some have been here for just a few years, and others for as many as 10, 12, or more. I have been a regional pastor’s wife for 12 years now. I haven’t always had the pleasure of attending these conferences due to my work schedule. This was the first time I got to come and just enjoy some time with the others. No work to get in the way. Yay!
The strength and personalities of these women have amazed me from the moment I woke up and had breakfast with them today. Walking around the Outlet Mall and bumping into each other in various stores (while finding some great deals) was so rewarding. It’s such an honor to be in the presence of all these fascinating women, with whom we are doing ministry together. I have received a lot of laughter medicine over the past couple of days. Here is a funny story, told by one of the regional pastor’s wives who shall remain nameless (she did give me permission to share her story.)
In her younger days, she tried her hand at arts and crafts. She began making these angels out of wood and other crafty items. She attached a scripture about His angels watching over you. She gave them away and people even purchased these little angels. Years later she realized the scripture she quoted came from the words of Satan, who was tempting Jesus to jump off the mountain, not the original version in Psalms. Insert rimshot! 😂
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways…
Psalm 91:11
Á la prochaine…until next time!