What Does a Pastor Do?

If I could compare my husband's job to any other, I would say it is most like a counselor.

While he spends many hours in office mode answering emails, scheduling security interviews, engaging in staff meetings, and recruiting volunteers - the bulk of his time at work is spent building and tending to relationships with different people at our church.

In Christine Hoover's Ministry Wives podcast interview with Caroline Saunders, they discuss how some people might not know exactly what their pastor does during the week, and Christine asks what Caroline would like people to know about what her pastor husband does. The first thing she says is people don't realize how often her pastor husband is going through other people's extraordinary moments with them. AND THAT IS SO TRUE! It could be a regular Wednesday morning and someone could ask to meet over coffee to talk about their divorce. The next Monday he could be invited to sit with someone's spouse in the hospital that has cancer.

THEN our husbands come home at the end of their work day, and have to compartmentalize what happened at work to be present with their family. They might let their wife know someone needs prayer, or someone is really sick and could use some help with meals - but that's all we as wives hear of it.

I don't ever hear my pastor husband complain that he had to walk through a hard season with someone. I only ever see him struggle knowing he can't do more to help those people he meets with. And that's the space I can meet my pastor husband in and remind him that he's doing exactly what God called him to do. To listen, care, and be there with them.

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If you haven't heard of Christine Hoover @christinehoover98 & you are a ministry wife looking for encouragement from someone who understands, go listen to her podcast and find her book "How to Thrive as A Pastor's Wife."