My Mom, The Pastor’s Wife

Dad accepted the pastoral call to his very first church in Lexington, Ohio, when I was just 4 years old. My older sisters were 9 & 12. When dad was called to be a pastor, mom was equally called to be a pastor’s wife. Mom had to be just as willing as dad. It takes strength and faith to sell the home you love and give up everything to accept the ministry God has for you. Mom did just that.

My mom took on many roles when she became a pastor’s wife. For a woman who didn’t often hold a job outside the home after becoming a pastor’s wife, she seemed to stay very busy. I think when God calls men into the ministry, He does so knowing he has the perfect woman by his side as a help- mate.

In those days, church revivals lasted a whole week. Mom always prepared a room for the evangelist and his wife to stay in our home for the entire week. Mom often prepared every meal while they were in town.

I remember months of Sundays mom would invite a family each week for Sunday dinner for a time of fellowship. She prepared a delicious meal each week on top of everything else she did to prepare for the Sunday service. Among other things as dad’s church secretary, (A role she resigned at least once a year) she prepared the weekly church bulletin. If there was an error, she was the one you needed to tell. (But please don’t)

She often took on the role of church custodian, groundskeeper, and gardener.

I wish I knew how many funeral dinners mom prepared and/or organized. Back in the day, it was just an expected thing to have dinner in the church after a church family member’s funeral.

I remember early morning phone calls when hearing of bad accidents and deaths where mom and dad would get up immediately and go comfort those who tragically lost loved ones.

Being a pastor’s wife (for my mom) meant being on call every day. It meant being office secretary, custodian, chef, hotel, activity director, Jr. Church Director, VBS Coordinator, groundskeeper, and gardener. She made all those jobs seem easy while maintaining her real job.

Her real job, the position of motherhood, required active duty 24-hours a day, seven days a week. She shined in this position and still does to this day.

Thank you, mom, for teaching us how to be a good mom and role model. Many have been blessed along the way to have you as their pastor’s wife, and we are blessed to call you mom.