| As any couple in ministry knows, there’s often a constant sense of pressure to have the “perfect” Christian marriage (which, of course, doesn’t exist!). In fact, this week’s featured article notes that “86 percent of pastoral spouses indicate feeling that their church congregation has expectations that the pastors’ marriage should be a role model for others.” That constant pressure can exacerbate normal, human marriage struggles, giving added weight to feelings of failure or discouragement. Ministry couples need what all of us need—connection, support, forgiveness, grace, and sometimes the help of a counselor. How can you care for your pastor or small group leader? Care for his or her marriage. Are you a pastor or lay leader? Make it a priority to care for your marriage. This week’s featured article, “A Sanctuary for Each Other: The Protective Power of Clergy Marriages,” emphasizes how critical the marriage relationship is. “For [ministry] couples, finding sanctuary with each other and together with God can be a source of survival in high-stress ministry environments,” say Terri Watson and Eric Brown. “Marriage can serve as a refuge and a place of safety from the stressors of high visibility, congregational conflict, professional isolation, and compassion fatigue.” Dive into the article to consider how you can strengthen the sanctuary of your own marriage and how you can support the marriages of ministry leaders in your church. |
