Topic Introduction

The saying; “The Honeymoon is Over” gives reference to the fact that you now see the reality of many of your ministry life situations, and your parishioners see what they’ll be getting from you!  The glow of the marriage bliss hath ended!

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Introduction:  It has been a year or so since you began this new phase of ministry life.  You and your husband have identified many needs and you are trying to meet them.

You are doing your best to plug the many holes with willing helpers, or at least you have managed to encourage some to give it a try.  You have stuck your own fingers into many holes in the dike, trying to plug it for now.   And you are – worn – out.

You have seen people come to your ministry and add to your number and you have seen people leave, causing some obvious vacancies.  Some of the “happy faces” you thought would be your encouragers have become the faces you dread most as they are your frequent complainers and regularly offer their “constructive criticism”.

But it is not all negative.  You have been privileged to begin some sweet friendships.  There are some kudos to the job you had not expected.  Your abilities have been stretched and are improving.

Most everyone has a story related to the early years of your ministry.

Now its your turn to give us your story!

Anonymously respond to these questions in the “Leave a Reply” box at the very bottom of this page:

  • Give your story relating to the end of the honeymoon.
  •  Perhaps you had a prayer for a situation that was not answered as you had hoped it would be answered.  What was God’s answer?
  • Are there wounds from this period in your life that need healing?

You can see the responses received below from when the blog was first posted.  You can add your story by scrolling to the bottom of the page and posting in the Comments.

Don’t forget, here’s how this works…

Each month a topic will be presented. I will give an introduction and an invitation to all of you who would like to respond to the topic. Ask questions. Tell your story. A little bit of crying and bellyaching is allowed, however, there will be limitations.  Our goal is to find each other through our discussion of our shared experiences and to encourage each other. God will be with us!

Respond to the topic in the “Leave a Reply” box at the very bottom of the this page.

  • Be sure to use only your initials in the section where it asks for first and last name, or give a pseudo-name to keep your identity private.
  • Please, don’t give actual names of people or places as you tell your story. Protect. Protect. Protect.

It may be necessary for some editing of your submission to present a concise version. I will work (and pray) through your comment/response and then post both what you contributed and my own comment or response, as well as interaction from “the Sisterhood” I have received concerning it. Nearing the end of each month, I will inform you of the next month’s topic, to give the opportunity for you to prepare.