Bible-Prayer-Europe Equipping Center

Change

A minister’s wife must constantly face the problem of change and its results.

Change may mean leaving one church and set of friends and going into a new area in order to begin a new ministry.

A minister and his spouse may travel during certain times of the year, in order to lead revivals at various locations.  Each location is unique in size, people, and growth needs.

A growing church is a changing church.  A dynamic ministry is a growing, changing ministry.  However, it is change with a purpose…not change for changing sake.

Growth and change in a church and a ministry must be seen in the light of God’s goals and plans for that particular situation.  Change that is necessary must come through God’s direction and not through fleshly desires.

Godly change will bring about Godly results.  Fleshly change will bring about humanistic strife and division.

Leaders need to be able to recognize when God is at work in the church and be ready to follow His leading.  Furthermore, leaders need to be wise and discerning in order to know when the world, the flesh, and devil are using changes as a divisive tool to hurt their congregations.

Godly change goes hand in hand with wisdom and stability.  God’s changes only bring about positive growth for the individuals and the church.

A minister’s wife is always concerned with any change that occurs in the church or in her husband’s ministry.  She must be able to adapt herself and her family’s needs to theses various changes without feeling animosity or panic.  There must be unity and peace maintained in her household, as well as, support for her husband’s calling.

The proper balance can only be maintained through God’s power and direction.  Successful adaptability will occur as God’s priorities are carefully followed at home, job, and church.

In order to follow God’s priorities the minister’s wife must first know what the priorities are as set forth in God’s Word.  Ignorance of God’s priorities can bring devastating consequences.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the minister’s wife to spend time reading the Bible and hearing what God has to say about priorities.

In addition, it is helpful to make a list of these priorities and review the list daily.

The following is a list of priorities that need to be considered by a minister’s wife.

1)      God

2)      Family

3)      Others

God is number one on this list because He should always be first in a person’s life.  The minister’s wife needs to set aside time for personal prayer and Bible study every day.  Personal prayer and Bible study is a meeting between the minister’s wife and her Heavenly Father.  It doesn’t have to take place in church.  Personal prayer and Bible study is for daily refreshing and guidance.  It is a time of confession and listening to God’s directions.  It is an intimate, private relationship with Almighty God.

Second, on the list of priorities for the minister’s wife is the family.  The family is made up of the minister’s wife, her spouse, and her children.

The minister’s wife is considered a priority because a person cannot love others until they love themselves. It is the responsibility of the minister’s wife to be a good steward of the body which Christ has given her.  The minister’s wife should be a good example to others of a woman who maintains good physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual stability.  A woman who places Godly priority on a healthy and pleasing appearance.  A woman who knows how to come “apart and rest” before she comes apart emotionally.  The minister’s wife who sees herself as important to God is a vibrant, dynamic person to be around.

Furthermore, this sense of worth will bless her husband.  Her spouse will be seen as a priority and not a threat.  A minister’s wife needs to have a close, loving relationship with her husband.  His needs come first, before the needs of the church. He is to be the spiritual head of the home, as well as the spiritual leader of the church.  He is more important in priority than the children.

However, a minister’s wife is responsible for the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of her children.

Therefore, the minister’s wife’s first priority is to God and her second priority should be to herself and her family.  The third priority a minister’s wife has is to others.

The category of others includes relatives, church members and duties, and possibly out of the home employment.

A minister’s wife must maintain a proper balance of her priorities.  Otherwise, she will over do in one area and neglect another area.   For example, a minister’s wife could be so busy helping others at church that she neglects her children and they become bitter toward the things of God.

God set up priorities to give stability, even during times of stress and change.  The wise minister’s wife will have her priorities established and her eyes on the Lord.