Have you ever considered ministering to your pastor? That thought might catch some of you by surprise. Often times we think of the pastor as the one who ministers, not the other way around. In America, we tend to have a consumer mentality as we approach church shopping, and look for the elements we need for our family. Maybe we seek out a good youth program or a Sunday school that engages our preschoolers. Still others might scour local churches for a minister who keeps them spell bound when he steps into the pulpit. None of these are bad, but that’s not the whole picture.
God makes it clear in Scripture that we should look out for the needs of others, and he enables us to do that. When someone places his faith in Jesus, God bestows a gift on him to use in the body of Christ. Note what the apostle Peter commanded in his first epistle, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” In fact, every believer has a vital spot in the church body, including the pastor and his wife.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. That may seem like another event the media imposes on us. However, read I Timothy 5:17, ” Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” In light of that, Nan Jones and Patti Harris give us tips on what life is like for a pastor’s wife. Listen and learn how to reach out to your pastor and his family.
For me, parenting and praise don’t belong in the same category. Many days I find it hard to do even though it pleases God. On days when I drag my feet, I remind myself how incredible God is. After all, the Psalmist said, “Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.” Very convicting. I have to work at it.
My guest, Becky Harling, found added benefits of praise. She shared how much it impacted her life and her parenting. Listen, enjoy, learn!
Scripture says husbands should show “…honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, … they are heirs with you of the grace of life…” Dr Richard Mabry discusses domestic abuse and gives advice on strategies for women caught in it.
Rape Recovery: Amber Kay, author of Perfectly Broken, shares her story and lists the elements that led to her recovery. Learn more about Amber at www.ambermauldin.com.
