Life in Ministry on Full Display!
Introducing the blog series: Her Life in a Fishbowl
Dear Pastors’ Wives and Christian Leaders’ Wives,
What I would like to accomplish with this column is to spend time together sharing our “Life in a Fishbowl” experiences. We have been on, and still are on an Incredible journey!
When one is weary of trying to do her best and be the best example for others, the advice (usually unasked for) from others is often given with an insensitivity of one who has NOT walked in her shoes and lived her difficult life.
We will be Sisters in this venture. We will share our experiences, which include insatiable expectations – ours as well as others’ for us – our failures, our victories, our grievances, our humorous situations, our psychological beatings, and our spiritual growth.
As we open our hearts to each other, we may offer ourselves up with a vulnerability that I will respect and protect. In order for us to know our confidences are safe with each other, I ask us all to use pseudonyms and non-specific place-references.
We will go to God’s word together, as it is alive and relevant to each and every circumstance we go through. There has been no mistake in our calling to this life of ministry. God is in it all and with us through it all. His purpose prevails through each of our life situations and experiences. Including the good and the very, very baaaad.
I will give a sensitive, empathetic ear. I’ve been there too, and I know there is more to come! Join me as we reflect on what we have experienced and look forward together to what is ahead!
With love,
Melinda Bogart
Here's How This Works...
I (Melinda) 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 the 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 blog page.
- Be sure to use only your initials in the section where it asks for first and last name, or give a pseudonym 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.
Her Life In A Fishbowl Blog Posts
Her Life in a Fishbowl: Will Anyone Listen to Me?
You all just sat down for “Family Night”. The phone rings. Your husband is needed. You try encouraging the caller to get in touch with the person who should be dealing with the issue, or you give them the advice you know to be correct, however… you are obviously not...
Her Life in a Fishbowl: My Kids are Just Kids, for Crying Out Loud! Part 1
Definitely a “fishbowl” topic. The Preacher’s/ Christian leader’s kids are always being observed and many things are expected from them: Maturity way beyond their age; they are to be kind, gentle, and obedient at-all-times; eager to learn Godly things; natural born...
Her Life in a Fishbowl: My Kids are Just Kids, for Crying Out Loud! Part 2
If you had multiple children, you learned from the unique ways each one behaved in your womb that they were going to be different. Different temperaments, spirits, outlooks. They each lived the fishbowl life their own, individual way. One child may have absolutely...
Her Life in a Fishbowl: My Kids are Just Kids, for Crying Out Loud! Part 3
Did you ever go overboard on your expectations of your own kids? What’s up with that? Were we embarrassed with their genuine, normal behavior? Did this have something to do with our own pride? Give some examples of when your fishbowl children taught you some really...
What Happens When I See It, But He Doesn’t?
It is time for a particular ministry to end for your leadership family... Things are beyond damage control. Countless attempts over the years have been made in vain to rectify multiple major problems. Your church is suffering. Your husband is suffering. You and the...
Her Life in a Fishbowl: Receiving “The Call”
These "Her Life in a Fishbowl" posts are designed, not so much to present Aspect Ministries' views and experiences of life in ministry for wives, but to call for women in those situations to share their own stories. So, what Melinda Bogart has done is to frame the...
Her Life in a Fishbowl: The Honeymoon is Definitely Over!
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! ********** Introduction: It...
Her Life in a Fishbowl: WHOA! I had no idea! Part 1
You are now settled into your ministry/church. But your expectations for life in full-time Christian Ministry have brought some surprises! These expectations may have included: The Bible Study is supposed to be at MY house? My home must be sparkling clean – at all...
Her Life in a Fishbowl: WHOA! I had no idea! Part 2
Part 2 Let’s talk about some of the expectations that we didn’t cover from last month’s topic... Topic Introduction Your expectations for life in full-time Christian Ministry have brought some surprises! These expectations may have included: I’m the only piano player?...
Her Life in a Fishbowl: Servanthood
Being a servant in leadership involves biblical stewardship. We’re called as God’s stewards to manage that which belongs to God. Stewardship for ministry leaders involves managing and administrating, acting on God’s behalf, according to His desires and purposes....
Her Life in a Fishbowl: Funny Stories Time!
A sense of humor is absolutely necessary with this job. There are just too many funny, funny situations that being in leadership puts us in. Now is the time to pick one of your favorites and share it with the rest of us. I’ll start us off: My husband was to give a...