A MESSAGE TO PASTOR’S WIVES, BY GILLETT DOGGETT, POIMEN MINISTRIES
A Different Concern – Pastor’s Wives
It began with investing in life insurance. I knew this step would provide the monetary resources for my wife if I was called to be with the Lord. But years later, I had concerns about providing for my household, especially for my wife. Our children were grown, living on their own, so now I had different concerns if I died.
I began to wonder, what care would my wife have from the church when I’m gone? If she’s actively involved in leadership roles, what transitional process is going to take place when the new Pastor and his wife come in? Now, there is no “one answer fits all” solution. Your wife might not be in leadership role, or the new pastor’s wife may not be interested in such a role at all and would be happy to have someone else leading. Regardless of their calling, I would not want my grieving wife, who has been serving along side me, feeling like “now what?”
I would council you as a Pastor to talk about this with your wife, and the two of you meet with your board to create a clear transitional process to help your wife grieve and continue to serve in some area of ministry and avoid feeling like she’s in competition with someone new.
Now, during your tenure as a pastor such a process may never be needed, but like car insurance you may never use it, but if the need arises, you’ll be glad that you have it.
I encourage you and your wife to visit Pastors Legacy Plan as the first step in creating the legacy you desire and insure you’re providing as the lord expects.
If we just keep in mind 1 Timothy 5:8 “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
May god bless you, your wife, and the board with wise decisions in this process.
Gillett Doggett
– Poimen Ministries
