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As a pastor’s wife, you weren’t meant to do it alone!
Being a pastor’s wife in a small church can be a great blessing –– but it can also be overwhelming. Many pastors’ wives feel very alone without the personal or ministry support they wish they had.
This post is for you if you …
- need rest
- could use some inspiration or nuggets of encouragement
- are in crisis and need immediate help
- are looking for a getaway or retreat experience for you, for you and your husband, or for your whole family
We created a booklet for pastors’ wives that lists 120+ resources, including 3 crisis lines, 10 books, 5 blogs, 17 articles, 59 getaways, 22 websites, plus 12 bonus organizations outside the U.S. & Canada.
Here are a few highlights to get you started.
Crisis Lines For Pastors’ Wives
Care For Pastors
CareforPastors.org offers some fantastic resources for pastors’ wives! They know and understand the challenges of a life in ministry and how it impacts a pastor’s wife.
This ministry gives you a safe space in its online presence as well as its in-person activities. Check out their website for information on the Confidante program, secure Facebook, blog articles, events, and a 24/7 hotline!
This is an organization that definitely has a heart for and desires to support pastors’ wives.
The Great Commandment Network
The Great Commandment Network wants to see pastors and their families flourish in faith, families, wellness, vocation, and finances. They offer support and resources in those areas.
There is also a crisis hotline with trained, professional, and confidential counselors for pastor families from 8 am – 10 pm Eastern Time, at 1-844-727-8671 (1-844-PASTOR1). You can find more information about their Crisis Care here.
Books For Pastors’ Wives
Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst
God chose you. He loves you. In Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely, Lysa shares her own struggles of rejection and woundedness, and adopting healthy ways to overcome those feelings and walk into the design of God’s love that He has for you.
The Emotionally Healthy Woman: Eight Things You Have to Quit to Change Your Life by Geri & Peter Scazzero
It is time to stop pretending everything is fine. At one point, Geri had enough of being a pastor’s wife and began the best journey for her marriage and herself. This book tackles 8 toxic things to quit, including faulty thinking, being afraid of what others will think, and denying yourself time to be sad or angry. Through The Emotionally Healthy Woman: Eight Things You Have to Quit to Change Your Life, you learn to become more authentic and discover greater freedom in Christ (Workbook and DVD also available).
Retreat Centers For Pastors & Pastors’ Wives
Buffalo Ridge Hospitality & Retreat Center
Buffalo Ridge Hospitality & Retreat Center is located on 200 acres of prairie in Kansas. This ministry provides hospitality and ministry to pastors, pastors’ wives, and other Christian workers in offering a change of pace and a quiet, restful place.
The staff at Buffalo Ridge understand the value of rest, relaxation, fellowship, and understanding for those that serve the Lord and sometimes need a break.
Shekinah Ranch
Shekinah Ranch offers anyone in full-time Christian ministry a quiet place to seek the Lord in a cabin on 35 acres of land in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The owners of Shekinah Ranch genuinely have a vision for their ranch to be a place of rest, renewal, and vision for those in ministry.
Mountaintop Oasis
Mountaintop Oasis is a place for pastors’ wives, pastors, missionaries, and Christian workers to rest and be renewed.
As well as a quiet time alone with God, Mountaintop Oasis offers life coaching, prayer, and plans for personalized stays. They are located in California.
Be sure to grab the full Resource Booklet for 50+ more getaway locations by filling out the form below!
Support Resources For Pastors’ Wives
Lois Evans Pastors’ Wives Ministry
Lois Evans Pastors’ Wives Ministry offers an amazing website full of bits of help, encouragement, and resources, including a state-by-state list of recommended counselors.
Alongside: A Ministry To Pastors’ Wives
Alongside: A Ministry To Pastors’ Wives (recently renamed Ministry Wives) has a vision to empower wives to be effective and influential ministry partners with their husband pastors. Their goal is to empower, develop, and strengthen women –– helping them to thrive in their personal lives, in ministry with their husbands, and in their families.
In addition to a website full of great articles, Alongside offers cohorts and small groups of 10 pastors’ wives. Each cohort is facilitated by two Alongside coaches to help you manage and embrace your role as a pastor’s wife and become a better ministry team with your husband.
Creative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook Community
While not exclusive to pastors’ wives, Creative Solutions for Small Churches Facebook community is a great place to connect for positive encouragement in small church ministry. Run by a pastor’s wife and with many pastors’ wives in this community, there is a lot of organic connection among pastors’ wives, including occasional Zoom calls and informal mentoring.
Outside The US
One Another Ministries International
One Another Ministries International offers a variety of services, including pastoral counseling & care. They also offer resources and tools to Christian organizations and churches for effective long-term ministry. Although they are based in the UK, they operate in Europe, Northern Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Take The Step To Reach Out For Help
Too many pastors’ wives suffer in silence. If you feel unseen, misunderstood, or hurt, please take a step to let someone know. God hasn’t left you alone, and there is help.
Grab the full Resource Booklet by filling out the form above ^^ for over 120 organizations, websites, and resources dedicated to supporting pastors’ wives and ministry families.
Read More
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