How to Balance the Demands of Family and Ministry

My husband is currently a bi-vocational church planter. This means that he has a full time job while planting and pastoring a new church plant. In the past the balance of family and ministry has always been tricky, but now more than ever. Balancing the demands of ministry on the family can feel overwhelming and complicated. I have had two sides drilled into my head. As a result two personal rant/pep talks have emerged: 

Talk number one: "Tish, put family first! If your family is in disrepair your ministry is valueless. You cannot minister to others with full gospel impact unless you are making your marriage and your home priority over all." 

Talk number two: "Tish get a grip and stop being selfish! A ministry calling demands sacrifice. Your time is not your own and your home is not your own. Pour yourself out generously for the sake of the gospel and for the health of Christ’s church."

How do we reconcile these two?...continue reading

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​Tish Hedger has a B.A. Biblical Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is nearing completion of her M.A. Counseling Psychology. She lives in Kansas City where her husband is the Director for the Center of Church Planting & Partnering at Midwestern Seminary and the Pastor of Preaching & Vision at Emmaus Church.
Tish is the mother of a teenage daughter whom the Hedger's are adopting, as well as a son born in to them in January 2015.
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You can follow Tish's writing at her personal blog, on Flourish, and at For The Church.