Adaptability: A Necessity for Pastors' Wives

By Amy Rager

Are you, or have you ever been, a youth minister's wife? I have. What about a rural church pastor's wife? I've been there, too. Or an urban church planter's wife? Count me in, also. So many moments in life, I felt like an outlier. Five times at the hands of the elderly widow’s class I received verbal tongue-lashings. Once, I was the oldest female in our congregation. Four times I’ve relocated my family. I’ve served down old country roads; I’ve also served right off of I-65. I've been in ministry through health, pregnancy and illness. I’ve lived below the poverty line, and I’ve lived in the middle class. And in all things, Lord may call us to move again.

Pastors' wives, can you relate to my personal version of Paul's life (found in 2 Corinthians 11)?

Being a pastor’s wife is definitely not characterized by stability or predictability. We serve a Savior who once said, “The wind blows were it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit" (John 3:8).

That’s the God we serve—One who moves as mysteriously as the wind He created.

We often use the phrases "surrendered my life to the ministry" or "gave my life to Christ." This surrendering is not just a one-time giving of ourselves, is it? No, it’s an everyday mentality of "this life is not my own, I will live as Christ sees fit."

Adaptability is a necessity for pastors' wives and is likely a quality you’ve already had to cultivate. Tom Rainer says the average pastor changes churches every three to four years. This adaptability we’ve instilled over the years can be a powerful tool in our ministries. Check out the definition of adaptability...read more

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Amy is the wife of church planter, Barry Rager, and the mother of four young, energetic children.  She and her family served in established churches for 8 years before relocating to Indianapolis in 2013 to plant New Circle Church.  Amy enjoys discipling women and is passionate about planters' wives.

​You can connect with her on Twitter @amylrager More from this author.

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