Saturday Briefing to Ministers and those they minister to

Don’t Go It Alone!

  • Psalm 45:2 (NKJV) You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever.

Some see Psalm 45 as a Messianic psalm that points to Jesus and his Bride (Church).  If that is the case then in a lesser way you can see this verse as referring to yourself as you minister and speak in Jesus’ name.

Undoubtedly my wife interpreted it that way–for on September 5, 2004 she wrote it down and gave it to me along with a little encouraging note.  (She does this sort of thing regularly.)

Thank God for my ministry partner! My sweet "Six Mile Girl" Sonja
Thank God for my ministry partner! My sweet “Six Mile Girl” Sonja

Ministry is most often seen done in terms of the covenant of marriage.  One of the requirements for being a Bishop and Deacon (this would certainly include preachers and teachers) given by Paul was that they “be the husband on one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2, 12).

A single person is not disqualified for these positions for it seems that Paul himself was single.  But what he was stating is that having an encouraging and supportive spouse to partner with you in the ministry is extremely important.

The bible mentions that Peter had a wife.  Early church father Clement of Alexandra records that she traveled with Peter and was martyred along with her husband.  Clement records that before Peter died he had to watch his wife being slain and he cried to her: “Dear wife, remember the Lord!”

In just a few days Sonja and I will be celebrating 35 years of marriage and ministry together.  I shudder think where I would be without her.  Truly she has been a source of encouragement and support and a spiritual leader and mentor in my life as well as the people we have served over the years.

I encourage you to not underestimate the importance of your partner in ministry.  Perhaps you should sit down with your spouse today and discuss the calling that you two have together.

And to the dear spouses that share in the trials and triumph of ministry: never underestimate the importance and essentialness of your role in this wonderful but challenging endeavor of preaching and teaching the Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ.   Your support and encouragement is the oxygen that keeps you and your spouse’s ministry together thriving and growing.

I dedicate this blog to my dear wife and “partner in crime” 🙂 for these almost 35-years \\ you’re the best!  I’m so thankful that I have not had to “go it alone.”

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pastorkemp

These are the random musings of a man whose goal is to make Jesus the paramount pursuit of my life who, while in this effort, is writing down a few lessons I've learned along the way. You'll have to decide if they are worth heeding but at least you may learn a few things not to do.

2 thoughts on “Don’t Go It Alone!”

  1. Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary, Brother David. Thank you for the sensitive and biblically sound word this morning. For almost 23 years my bride was not only my partner, she was also my compass. She kept my feet planted firmly on the ground and helped me stay focused on the practical. Priorities are the essence of this pastoral work, and she helped me to sift through the always numerous tendrils of demand and keep my eye on the ball. Even in her untimely death, she continues to teach me grace and her memory holds me accountable to what really matters. Something tells me that Stephen Covey had his loving wife in his head when he wrote about ‘keeping the main thing the main thing’. Pastoring without my Rhonda has had it’s challenges, but even over seven years later, I still feel the benefit of her investment in me. Thanks again, my brother, for sharing your heart and honoring your ‘partner in crime’. (BTW, you are indeed over-married – glad you know it – love you guys!)

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