On October 9, our church is awarding a Licence in Gospel Ministry to a young man who, with his wife, travel and sing. He occasionally speaks, but is not a very good speaker or teacher. But, oh can this couple sing!
I have been asked to speak about 8 minutes with words of advice. (A deacon and our pastor will also speak and there will be a laying-on-of hands prayer time.)
All the above to say that this is my basic outline. I plan to talk about 1) expectations, 2) frustrations, then offer this advice, 3) Be a Person of Character, 4) Be a Servant, 5) Be what God called you to be.
My question and request: This man's wife partners with him. She sings with him. She encourages. She prays with people. She'll continue to walk right along side him in ministry. So, I'd like to direct my comments to both of them.
Amen! I think that too many times the wives are forgotten. Do it, even if people don't understand. That doesn't make it wrong or inappropriate. If I were in her shoes (I guess I have been , I would greatly appreciate the words of advice directed to me as well as dh).
I did not see this before Oct. 9, but that sounds like something I did once when sending off our yp and his new bride. They always admired how we model a team effort not only symbolicly but literally. Therefore, I spoke to each of the individually and together in the presence of the congregation. We sent them off into another ministry with our blessing and hopefully set a good example for them to follow (Acts 18 :26)
When we first came to SP, the board was very encouraging re: a woman's place in ministry. At the time, I had a newborn/toddler and at a prayer meeting when I was standing "back" behind my dh one of the deacons told their wife to hold my baby as he grabbed my hand and said, "You're a minister too. Come up here beside him." It made me feel at ease and that my input was welcome. You're on the right track!
I wanted to close out this thread by letting you know that the October 9th licensing went very well. I spoke first, directing my comments to both the husband and wife. I talked about the expectations, and frustrations of ministry and pointed out that we can never live up to the expectations of others, so what can we do. 1) Be a person of character, 2) Be a servant, and 3) Be what God has called you to be. Also, I spoke directly to the wife, pointing out that she is a partner and that her gifts and talents compliment and "harmonize" (they sing!) with her husband's.
At that point, I gave them a gift--a small Crown pin. I pointed out that this is but one gift that they would receive in this life and that someday they will be able to lay the crown of ministry at the feet of Jesus.
, I would greatly appreciate the words of advice directed to me as well as dh).
