The joy of being a minister's family

I appreciated Phil's comment in relation to my recent post about the difficulties of being in ministry and how this can impact on families. As a minister's son who is now studying at Bible College, Phil provides a more positive perspective. I am convinced that Phil's position is a Biblical one. We need to focus on what God's vision for families in ministry is, rather than the negative stories that abound. Achieving a healthy family life while in full time ministry may be challenging, but God is more than able to work in the lives of his people in order to achieve it.

thanks for raising that topic & providing that link sherrin.

just to balance the arguement, there are also many many positive things about being in ministry, and raising a family while in ministry!

What a testimony to your children that you have devoted your life to Christian ministry even though you could have lived more comfortably!

What other children have the opportunity to hear their father's thoughts on the big issues of life in a carefully prepared monologue each week?In what other kind of family are you as constantly exposed to the gospel, mission, missionaries and thier stories (we had a constant stream of them come through our house as I was growing up)?

It true that ministry is costly. Israel killed most of its prophets, they killed Jesus, stoned Stephen, put Paul in prison... But that's part of being a Christian and following Christ and it seems to me that Paul would not have traded his future "crown of rejoicing" for anything less (I Thess 2:19-20). Jeremiah couldn't help himself - he had to preach - even though he wished he had never been born (Jeremiah 20). That paradox of ministry - great suffering, great joy!