“Karen’s Notes!
Insights from a Glory-Bound Lady”

Selected Notes
Volume 3 Number 32 “In Honor of Your Pastor’s Wife” (Part 4)

August 26, 2020

Years ago Karen and I had the tremendous honor of speaking to pastors and wives at a conference sponsored by the Practical Bible College. Karen spoke to the pastors’ wives about a very real situation that many are facing. Most pastors’ wives are very busy ministering to the needs of the ladies in the church. But who is ministering to her needs? It has been my intention in these last few weeks to honor pastors’ wives all around the world.

Karen’s outline for the workshop:
1. Preparing for disappointments
2. Sharing our disappointments
3. Caring through our disappointments

Karen encouraged the pastor’s wives to remember that even while they were experiencing challenges and sometimes even heartaches, they should continue to reach out to those around them that are likewise going through hard times. Don’t withdraw! Reach out.

Karen wrote: Try not to focus all our attention on ourselves and our needs. There are others who are hurting too. If we are physically and emotionally able, we should reach out to them through the following ways.

1. Practical helps such as babysitting, transportation, meals, laundry, lawn care, banking, cleaning and many other practical opportunities.

2. Prayer. Be specific and faithful. Invest quality time with God for individuals and specific needs. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

3. Periodic follow-up. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of merices, and the God of all comfort: Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For the suffferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). Let them know that you have been praying. Make the phone call or write a note and send it in the mail. Consider taking that person out to lunch and be an encourager.

Michael’s observation: All of these things are important for pastors’ wives to do. What great opportunities your pastor’s wife has to invest in the ladies (and with her husband even the men) in the church family. However! Let me ask you a pointed question. How are you encouraging your pastor’s wife? What practical helps can you do to be a blessing to her? Does she know that you pray for her regularly? In what ways can you show your appreciation? Be a blessing to both your pastor and his wife this week.