To Women Answering the Call
Posted by Tiffany Cooper
As I write this post, October 26, 2011 at 9:47pm, I’m on a plane returning home from a day full of enriching ministry moments in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My husband had the opportunity to speak at a Christian college and I was thrilled to come along for the ride. I leave with my heart full of love for these students and lots of hope for their future. During a Q & A session about church planting, I was restraining myself from gushing my personal ministry experience. I wanted to sit for hours to talk, share and encourage them in their ministry future.
Today I will share 5 things I’ve experienced in my ministry journey
1. Things never turn out exactly the way I think they should.
God has never worked in my time frame and it’s a good thing. Example: The first 5 years of our church plant were a huge growing curve for me. If our church grew at the rate I wanted it to in the beginning, I would have been overwhelmed and unprepared. God knew how to grow me and shape me step-by-step
2. Embrace the challenging seasons of ministry.
I have learned to embrace the uncomfortable seasons of ministry. They are not enjoyable but they are a huge opportunity to grow. Each time I’ve had to endure a painful situation, a stretching moment or a ministry challenge, I’ve come through the other side more equipped and qualified for the next season of ministry.
3. My marriage must be priority.
Our marriage takes priority over our kids, our church and our opportunities. Sure, we could have a bigger church and a bigger name but it would be a price we aren’t willing to pay in this current season of our life. If our marriage and our family suffer, we’ve lost. The greatest thing we give our church is a healthy marriage and a healthy family. When we’re healthy, the church is healthy.
4. The Ultimate Dream Team.
You+Your Spouse=The Ultimate Dream Team. There’s something powerful about a couple committed to God’s vision and committed to making it happen as a unified front. Don’t underestimate your value on the team, your value in the church and most importantly, your value to God.
5. Choose your friends wisely.
Friendship is one of the greatest challenges most women in ministry experience. I could a series of post about the whys of this fact. On the flip side, friendship in ministry can be the greatest reward. Personally, I have developed incredible friendships with other women in ministry. These friendships make me a better wife, mom and pastor’s wife. It’s unhealthy to think that you can do ministry without friendships. We need each other!
For the sake of time, I will postpone more of my personal experiences for another post. But I will leave you with one last thought…I WOULD NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. WITH ALL ITS’ UPS AND DOWNS, I’VE NEVER REGRETTED SUBMITTING TO GOD’S CALL ON MY LIFE!
Now it’s your turn! As you prepare for a life in ministry, what do you want to know? Leading and Loving It is an open resource for you. No question is off limits!
If you prefer to ask a question via email, my address is tiffany[at]leadingandlovingit[dot]com.
32 Responses to “To Women Answering the Call”
Important post for every woman in every season of ministry…love supporting each other along this journey 
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October 27th, 2011 at 7:26 amTotally agree with Linda! Thanks, Tiffany!
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Such an important post. My husband and I just heard Mark Driscoll speak at a conference about marriage and not sacrificing it on the alter (idol) of ministry. Husband and wife come first. Dan and I walked out recommitted to each other as well as to God’s Kingdom. Thank you for sharing this Tiffany!
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October 27th, 2011 at 2:18 pmI love that you recommitted to one another! I think it’s wise to always keep a pulse on what the priorities really are.
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October 27th, 2011 at 7:50 amSo true! We are the best team together! Good to remember!
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Tiff, I just love you. Love your heart. Love your passion for the task God has given your family. Thanks for sharing your experience…..and wisdom.
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October 27th, 2011 at 2:19 pmTricia, my love fest for you is mutual…my amazing friend!
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Awesome post!! Thanks Tiffany!!
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October 27th, 2011 at 2:20 pmThank you, Toni!
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October 28th, 2011 at 9:15 amTiffany, I really needed this at “such a time as this” in my life. My Husband and I just planted our church a couple of months ago and we’ve already have had challenges in the process, but I thank God that we are not alone. I really needed to read these encouraging words, Thank you.
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November 1st, 2011 at 6:16 amEileen, you definitely are not alone! Love meeting another church planter:)
October 27th, 2011 at 9:04 amGreat wisdom, Tiffany. Thanks for so sharing these nuggets of truth with us. We were invited to the START event, but had other commitments. Another missed opportunity to hug your beautiful neck. I heard your hubby knocked it out of the park!
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October 27th, 2011 at 2:20 pmAww, I wish you could have made it. We will meet face to face one of these days:)
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October 27th, 2011 at 9:30 amThanks Tiff! Loved this!
We are in the midst of preparing to move to our city, scouting land, getting the word out, launch meetings, you name it we’re about or in the middle of doing it…
What are some practical suggestions to help me stay focused, energized, & encouraged along the way?
Thanks again Tiff! Love ya!!
-Dawn
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October 27th, 2011 at 2:22 pmDawn, you are in an exciting and faith-filled season. I look forward to answering your question:)
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October 27th, 2011 at 9:34 amThank You Tiffany! I read this post several times. Those 5 things can either keep us on the right track or send us crashing down. I appreciate you sharing this. I love how you said “don’t underestimate your value” I think it is easy for many wives to separate themselves from the calling and just see it as their husbands only. But God has partnered us together and needs us both to be confident in that. I can’t wait to read the next post. Good stuff!
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October 27th, 2011 at 2:24 pmJulie, many times pastors’ wives are unseen power houses. Our influence can be greatest behind the scenes. Wherever our influence shows up, it’s powerful if used correctly:)
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October 27th, 2011 at 10:35 amThank you Tiffany for the reminder of what matters most!
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October 27th, 2011 at 11:20 amGreat post! I have so many questions.
1) Can you develop an authentic friendship with a woman in your congregation?
2) What are some of the ways you put your marriage first?
3) How do you work with certain people in the church that think that change is bad?
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October 27th, 2011 at 2:24 pmThank you for the Q’s…I’m excited to answer these in the future:)
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October 27th, 2011 at 12:56 pmDo you have advice for a woman called into ministry that is married to a man that is not? I guess you do not need details, but learning how to balance that would be a good thing.
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October 27th, 2011 at 2:25 pmGreat question, Heather. I will gladly answer in a future blog:)
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These are such practical words of wisdom! Deep down I knew each of these things but seeing them stated so directly put them back in the front of my mind- where they belong! Thanks for sharing, Tiffany!
(BTW…I almost didn’t click over to read this post because I thought it was just for church planters…so glad I did! This fit with my life as a non-planter pw, too!)
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October 27th, 2011 at 2:26 pmOh yay, these are fitting for any one in ministry:) Love you, sweet friend!
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October 28th, 2011 at 6:15 amWhat a great & timely post. I married my husband 3 years ago and he’s the Sr. Pastor of our church which he already pastoring before we married. I can’t even begin to describe the experience except to say it has been a HUGE change for me, a huge learning curve, a huge growth experience, etc. I often say that this is the “most God” I’ve ever experienced in my life. Very challenging but very rewarding as well. This is such a great post! Thank you!
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This is a great post, full of such wisdom!
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Once again great advice. Thanks to you ladies for your ministry!
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Fantastic post, so true!
I have been jotting down my thoughts about church planting and it has turned into a book which I hope to release early next year. All the time, while writing this book, I was hoping that you might be interested in reviewing it here on your blog. Of all the leadership blogs in the world, this is the one where I would most like to share my story
Here is a preview of what is to come http://kingsdaughters21.blogspot.com/2011/10/tale-of-church-planter.html
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Linda, I totally agree. So thankful we have each other!
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