1. COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF BEING A PASTOR’S WIFE

2. The Joys of Being a Pastor’s wife The thoughtfulness and caring of the parishioners. The thoughtfulness and caring of the parishioners. Being married to a man who loves Jesus. Being married to a man who loves Jesus. A safe home environment. A safe home environment.

3. The Joys of Being a Pastor’s wife Acceptance by the church members Acceptance by the church members Acceptance and privileges in the community Acceptance and privileges in the community Knowing that she is needed and trusted Knowing that she is needed and trusted

4. The Joys of Being a Pastor’s wife Easy opportunities for witnessing Easy opportunities for witnessing Opportunities for mentorship Opportunities for mentorship

5. The Challenge “Being a pastor’s wife is the most hazardous and dangerous occupation a woman can have.”—Marion H Nelson, Why Christians Crack UP “Being a pastor’s wife is the most hazardous and dangerous occupation a woman can have.”—Marion H Nelson, Why Christians Crack UP

6. The Unique Challenges Living under constant scrutiny Living under constant scrutiny Unrealistic expectations Unrealistic expectations –Perfect social behavior –Thorough knowledge of the Bible –Attendance at all meetings –Ready entertainer –Spiritual giant

7. The Unique Challenges Limited finances Limited finances The demands of church members The demands of church members Loneliness Loneliness

8. The Unique Challenges Absent husband Absent husband Critical church members Critical church members Overwork Overwork Lack of privacy Lack of privacy

9. How to Succeed As a Pastor’s Wife Love and accept yourself. Love and accept yourself. Concentrate on being the best you can be. Concentrate on being the best you can be. Have realistic expectations of yourself. Have realistic expectations of yourself. Build your own spiritual life. Build your own spiritual life.

10. How to Succeed As a Pastor’s Wife Work on self-improvement. Work on self-improvement. Love and accept your husband. Love and accept your husband. Try to understand your husband’s ministry. Try to understand your husband’s ministry. Decide on what you are comfortable doing in your church. Decide on what you are comfortable doing in your church.

11. How to Succeed As a Pastor’s Wife Support your husband without being the assistant pastor. Support your husband without being the assistant pastor. Be a loving, honest critic of your husband. Be a loving, honest critic of your husband. Do not neglect the training of your children. Do not neglect the training of your children. Take care of your home. Take care of your home.

12. How to Succeed As a Pastor’s Wife Take care of your appearance. Take care of your appearance. Take care of your health. Take care of your health. Learn to be contented. Learn to be contented. Have an identity of your own. Have an identity of your own.

13. How to Succeed As a Pastor’s Wife Make time for yourself. Make time for yourself. Be confidential. Be confidential. Respect your husband’s need to be confidential. Respect your husband’s need to be confidential. Keep your home attractive. Keep your home attractive.

14. How to Succeed As a Pastor’s Wife Develop your skills as an entertainer. Develop your skills as an entertainer. Learn to love all types of people. Learn to love all types of people. Have a sense a humor. Have a sense a humor. Develop an attitude of praise and thanksgiving. Develop an attitude of praise and thanksgiving.

15. How to Succeed As a Pastor’s Wife See your role as a divine ministry. See your role as a divine ministry. Thank God for the opportunity to serve. Thank God for the opportunity to serve.