Have you ever wanted to sit down and ask your pastor’s wife some questions? In this blog, Elizabeth Brinson, wife of Pastor Greg Brinson of London Bridge Baptist Church, has shared some questions she would like to ask. She even was kind enough to answer them in an honest and authentic way in this first installment of our new series.
Do you have a good connection with your staff wives?
I really try hard in this area because I believe it’s healthy to be connected to the staff wives. Their husbands work hard in their ministry supporting the senior pastor. A staff wife many times must keep much to herself and must guard her tongue. So it’s really important to encourage and build each other up, and to offer or receive advice from the staff wives. It also establishes a safe place to talk and have open discussions. It could be reading a book together and discussing it or simply getting together for coffee….connecting is important!
Do you ever get tired or burned out from ministry? How do you handle that?
I know when I’m burned out because I tend to have an ungrateful attitude. Then I know it’s time to take a break or a vacation. Ministry can be tasking and even overwhelming at times and that’s when I will pray to determine what God is leading me to do next, and what He’s telling me to let go of.
The Lord reminds me to simply walk the path that He has for me…and don’t worry about other people’s path…just focus on His path and get excited about it.
This helps me to not compare or be envious of others in ministry and their opportunities. God has His perfect plan for us…He knows all our needs!
Have you been so burned out that you just wanted to quit?
Yes, I’ve been there. That’s when I know I need to ask the Lord to carry me and help me regain my passion for ministry, to make it fresh and new again and for it to be exciting. I need to ask for His will to be done, not mine, because I’m the hands and feet for His ministry. The enemy wants us to get tired and down, but my God is more powerful!
What do you love about your church and being a pastors wife?
I love the people of my church and I love greeting them and making them feel welcome and important! I love to see people getting involved in church, and I enjoy encouraging them. God has a plan for everyone if their hearts are open to hearing Him and obeying His Word!
What areas do you serve and lead in at your church?
I have served in many different areas over the years from teaching Sunday school, to leading Bible studies, to working in VBS. My passion for many years has been serving with the choir and leading worship on Sunday morning. Singing praises to His name will always be important to me. Currently I sing in our adult choir, serve on the women’s ministry team, and lead one of our welcome centers. I also work at our weekday preschool.
How do you help support and encourage your husband?
First, I pray for him. I also reassure him that he is doing a great job and if I have advice to give him I will give it. (I never give advice or talk about heavy subjects on Sunday morning when he’s about to preach…it’s simply not the time!) It is very important to be an encouraging wife – build your man up!
How do you stay passionate about church, the people, and the programs?
Pray, Pray, Pray! I remind myself of our church’s mission statement. I try to meet new people and help connect them to church. Our programs are a great opportunity to invite guests. I get excited when talking about a church-wide event; it’s amazing how a fun and positive attitude can be so contagious.
How do you handle conflict with church members? Or staff members?
When conflict happens it tends to go through three phases. First there’s anger, then resentment, and then our flesh sometimes wants to take revenge. But God says to forgive others. There is power in prayer! If I have a conflict with someone I generally go to them personally (Matthew 18). I will also mentally lay the problem at God’s feet and pray for God’s direction in the situation.
What advice would you give other pastor/staff wives?
We are leaders in our churches, so assume the role, ladies! Love your people. Show people how much they need the Lord and share with them what God is doing in your life. Be real with your struggles, we don’t have to go into details about our hardships but we can allow people to see God working in our lives. Many times people tend to put pastors’ families on a pedestal. This is such wrong thinking, because that means we can’t fail and we know that will never happen because everybody fails at some point. So, I say be as real as we can and let God do the rest!