On Monday, October 5, Pastor Bob Smart from Christ Church, PCA in Normal IL will be presenting Provisions 4 Pastors’ second annual Spiritual Life Conference, titled “Family Life in Ministry: Why Ministry Leaders Need the Gospel for Marriage and Parenting.” Bob explains what this will be about, and why he is doing it:
Karen and I were married over 30 years ago when we were idealistic about full-time vocational ministry. Our five children grew up as “preacher’s kids,” and four are married with a sense of call to the Gospel ministry. We have ten grandchildren with another on the way soon. Whenever our marriage or family suffered, ministry became more challenging. When family life went well, Gospel efforts seemed easier. There is an important relationship between the ministry leader’s family and the Gospel labors performed in season and out.
Ministry leaders are people. We live with families and have stories like everyone else, but how we love our families and interpret our stories will often have a greater impact on the lives of those we are called to serve than we may be aware. On October 5th we will consider how to enhance the ministry leader’s marriage and family in a way that strengthens the many others we serve. Our genders, life stories, and parenting efforts play a significant part in how we embrace, model, and teach the Gospel to others.
This is a great opportunity for ministry leaders get real, be human, and bring their spouses and other ministry leaders to another Pastor’s Forum for the sake of enhancing marriages and families – first at home, then in the Church. I look forward to meeting with you to encourage one another from the Scriptures, Bob
Karen and I were married over 30 years ago when we were idealistic about full-time vocational ministry. Our five children grew up as “preacher’s kids,” and four are married with a sense of call to the Gospel ministry. We have ten grandchildren with another on the way soon. Whenever our marriage or family suffered, ministry became more challenging. When family life went well, Gospel efforts seemed easier. There is an important relationship between the ministry leader’s family and the Gospel labors performed in season and out.
Ministry leaders are people. We live with families and have stories like everyone else, but how we love our families and interpret our stories will often have a greater impact on the lives of those we are called to serve than we may be aware. On October 5th we will consider how to enhance the ministry leader’s marriage and family in a way that strengthens the many others we serve. Our genders, life stories, and parenting efforts play a significant part in how we embrace, model, and teach the Gospel to others.
This is a great opportunity for ministry leaders get real, be human, and bring their spouses and other ministry leaders to another Pastor’s Forum for the sake of enhancing marriages and families – first at home, then in the Church. I look forward to meeting with you to encourage one another from the Scriptures, Bob
For more information and to register: http://www.urbanatheologicalseminary.org/
