Pastors - My diatribe about your wife.

The professor said, “Your wife will either double your ministry or she will cut it in half.” He meant well. But he implied that my wife was somehow separate from my ministry. This attitude sees the ministry as the priority over the marriage. The wife exists for the ministry. A man hardens toward his imperfect wife. He worships appearances. She becomes a tool.

YOUR WIFE IS YOUR MINISTRY. – Your home is not separate from your flock. No earthly prize is worth your family.

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7 ESV)

God made you strong – to love her weakness. You don’t own her, Jesus does.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV)

If you can’t love your own wife – why would Christ trust you with his? To think she is holding back your ministry is like saying Christ’s Church is holding you back.

In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. (Ephesians 5:28-30 ESV)

Shepherd your own soul – then your family – then your public ministry.
No one can be a pastor if he fails to pastor his own soul - no one can be a pastor who does not pastor his own family.