Although their calling is joyous, pastors' wives encounter special challenges because of the nature of their husbands' work. These letters from the wives of experienced and well-known pastors provide empathy, wise counsel, and encouragement.

This book consists of letters I wish I had received when I was a new pastor's wife. They are the words, wisdom, short stories, and lessons learned on-the-job and on my knees. Although written expressly for pastors' wives, these letters also hold great benefit for all women of faith. The letters are divided into five sections. At First Glance covers how we're seen and how we often see ourselves. Upon Closer Inspection deals with the duties and dilemmas of ministry life. Up Close and Personal takes an honest look within and highlights personal growth while serving others. The Journey Continues offers hope while fighting the "good fight of faith." And Jesus is the Reason for the Season shares how to honor God during the holidays, along with a sweet surprise at the end. Instead of lamenting my lack, I wrote letters with you in mind. It continues to be my hope and prayer that through them you are encouraged, enlightened, and eternally convinced that you're not alone! Meredith Sheppard's encouragement letter, Wives In Touch, now in print! Meredith and I were married eight weeks after I became the assistant pastor of our home congregation in Philadelphia. Think about all the women you know. How many of them would choose to become a pastor's wife? Probably few, if any at all! But Meredith is no ordinary woman. As a youngster, she fell in love with Jesus and wanted to do His will, no matter the cost. And years later, when she accepted my proposal of marriage, she committed to being the best companion a servant of God could ask for. Fortunately for me, she has always lived up to that commitment. The letters contained in this book are rich with insights, candor, loving guidance, and encouragement. Meredith's heart desires to strengthen the hands and hope of pastors' wives everywhere. May that desire be fulfilled in your life as you read and apply the wisdom shared herein. Pastor Paul E. Sheppard

Paul's letters stand at the center of the dispute over women, the church, and the home, with each side championing passages from the Apostle. Now, in a challenging new attempt to wrestle with these thorny texts, Craig Keener delves as deeply into the world of Paul and the apostles as anyone thus far. Acknowledging that we must take the biblical text seriously, and recognizing that Paul's letters arose in a specific time and place for a specific purpose, Keener mines the historical, lexical, cultural, and exegetical details behind Paul's words about women in the home and ministry to give us one of the most insightful expositions of the key Pauline passages in years.

Ministry is hard. And every ministry wife needs—and deserves—encouragement. A woman marries a man, not his ministry. But all too often her husband's calling complicates their life together. What if ministry life isn't what she bargained for? What happens when her children make mistakes? How does she deal with church gossip, or even slander? As a pastor's wife of almost fifty years, Jani Ortlund addresses these questions, along with many others, as she offers encouragement and guidance to ministry wives. Jani reminds readers that God works out his delightfully good purposes in and through their sacrifices.

Every pastor's wife is a faithful servant and leader in her own right. She has great influence on her church, her community, her family, and her husband, and she finds joy in seeing God move in the lives of others. Yet she also faces unique challenges that too often go unnoticed and unaddressed. At times, a pastor's wife may feel she can't talk about her struggles even with those who are closest to her, which can leave her feeling alone, depleted, and misunderstood. She may settle for this way of living, but that's not God's desire for her. Christine Hoover knows firsthand the unique struggles and opportunities afforded a pastor's wife--she's been filling that role for more than 20 years. Coming alongside as an understanding friend, she offers encouragement and guidance to the struggling pastor's wife, showing her how to make meaningful personal relationships with God, her husband, her children, her church community, and other women--relationships that will sustain her and help her thrive.

This book contains fourteen specific questions from pastors' wives, answered by the author, a licensed psychologist.

Advice on how to care for pastors' kids and allow them to find their own faith and identity. Pastors' kids are often burdened by others' expectations, but there is a wonderful solution, both at home and in the church: grace. In this revised, refreshed version of Barnabas Piper's best-known book, the author candidly shares his own experiences as son of pastor and bestselling author John Piper, offering a challenge to our churches and to the families at their very heart: how to care for pastors' kids and allow them to find their own faith and identity. Foreword by John Piper.

Ruth Tucker recounts a harrowing story of abuse at the hands of her husband—a well-educated, charming preacher no less—in hope that her story would help other women caught in a cycle of domestic violence and offer a balanced biblical approach to counter such abuse for pastors and counselors. Weaving together her shocking story, stories of other women, and powerful stories of husbands who truly have demonstrated Christ’s love to their wives, with reflection on biblical, theological, historical, and contemporary issues surrounding domestic violence, she makes a compelling case for mutuality in marriage and helps women and men become more aware of potential dangers in a doctrine of male headship.

"A NavPress resource published in alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, Inc."

Life as a pastor's wife offers meaningful opportunities to play a significant part in God's work, to witness and participate in the beauty of changed lives. Yet it also carries the potential for deep wounds and great conflict that can drain the joy out of service. Is it worth it? Oh, yes, says Kay Warren, wife of Pastor Rick Warren and cofounder of Saddleback Church. It is more than worth the risk--it's a sacred privilege. Drawing on more than forty years in ministry in every possible size church, Kay provides encouraging principles and life lessons, along with intimate personal stories, that will give readers the confidence needed to lead and live well. Pastor's wives learn to - accept who they are - adapt to change - help their children survive and thrive - protect their private lives - deal with criticism - live with integrity - develop an eternal perspective Whether she is excited, struggling, or feeling broken and tired, every pastor's wife will find hope and encouragement for their calling in Kay's warm and wise words.