Pastoral Internship > Intern Family Experience

Becoming a new pastor stresses more than just the pastor - it also stresses the pastor's spouse and children. The transition from school or from another line of work is often easier for the pastor than it is for the family. This may be especially true if the spouse is a relatively new church member, or if the pastor is a second-career pastor (marrying a pastor might never have been on the spouse's radar).

Though the spouse and children are usually not employees of the conference, it would still be wise for the Ministerial Director to be aware of their journey into ministry as well. Take the time and expense of including the family in a meal with the pastor when you are in their area. Make it a point to learn their names and talk directly with them, too, when you are in the company of the pastor. When contemplating moves, please take family issues into consideration, especially the school needs of the children involved.

Acquaint yourself with issues that pastors really face. An excellent primer for this would be to read over the research on pastoral stresses done by Andrews University at NAD Ministerial's request. It's an eye-opening report, if you haven't read it yet.

Helping to keep the pastor's family healthy is a major part of any pastor's long-term ministry success. This won't happen by chance; take every opportunity you have to affirm, support, and acknowledge the pastor's family.

Also, if you don't already have such a list, take the time right away to develop a list of professionals who can come to the aid of a struggling pastor's family. Help them get the counseling they need as soon as you become aware of the need. If you have developed a list of providers that you trust, you won't waste precious time scrambling to find them when the need arises.

Finally, most conferences have a person and program especially tuned to the needs of pastors' spouses. Don't hesitate to partner with the spouses' leader in your conference.

Here's a link to NAD Ministerial's special 44-page guide for new pastoral spouses.