How can I prepare for the stresses that ministry places upon the pastor’s family?
One way is to plan ahead. What will your boundaries be between church and home? How will you make personal decisions when you have to decide between the two? The church needs to realize that they are hiring you, not your family. Your family shouldn’t feel they must conform to a particular role. If your spouse or family enjoys church activities, that will be great. If they don’t, it’s perfectly okay for them to find different ways to participate. They need to find spiritual fulfillment too. If expectations seem to get out of hand, rely on other resources to support you – your family, friends outside the congregation, colleagues, or even a good counselor. Regardless of where you serve, setting boundaries between work and personal life will be crucial to your long-term fulfillment and support in ministry. 17. Now that I’ve gotten the ball rolling, it feels like the candidacy/ordination process is beginning to take over and it’s rolling over me. I’m starting to feel overwhelmed and unsure.
