Don’t be fooled by the title of this podcast. Even if you’re not a pastor’s wife you’re gonna be glad you listened to this episode.
Like other “That’s Me” episodes I am chatting with a listener. And interspersed with our conversation, a mentor comes on and answers the listener’s questions.
Today, those two ladies, Mary Beth and Kathy Litton, are both pastor’s wives. In fact, Kathy is the NAMB National Director of Ministry to Pastor’s Wives. (In this episode you’ll hear a little of her hard story. . . of being a pastor’s wife, then widow, then how God unexpectedly brought her into the pastor’s wife role again).
Both women are wise leaders who share great thoughts on: friendships, vulnerability, mentors, and time commitments.
Have you ever wondered when to be authentic and when to keep info to yourself? How much of a situation to share with a friend? How to find a safe mentor, one who will give insight but not share your story with others?
Then this episode is for you.
This quote from Kathy helps answer the question of when to be transparent:
Vulnerability is a risk we take for a greater good.
Boom. If it’s not helpful, don’t put it out there.
And then Mary Beth shares this quote:
God has promised to supply all of your needs. What we don’t have now, we don’t need now. -Elisabeth Elliot
Now I needed to hear those words.
The episode ends with both women reminding us to seek first the Kingdom of God and all else will follow.
Sounds pretty God-centered to me.
Connect with Kathy Litton (& Flourish):
Site :: Facebook :: Twitter :: Instagram
What we chat about:
MaryBeth’s Questions:
- How do you know when it’s appropriate to share a struggle and when to stay guarded?
- Should a mentor come from within the church or should she go without one?
- How should she handle wanting to be a part of a regular group of women but not wanting to lead the group?
- What does it look like to have a friend in or outside the church when you are a pastor’s wife?
Kathy’s Answers:
- The unexpected road God has taken Kathy on, from Pastor’s wife to widow to Pastor’s wife again.
- Discerning a church culture’s transparency and vulnerability.
- How our maturity in leadership frees us from the burden of setting an example.
- Vulnerability is a risk we take for the greater good.
- Taking time to discern a safe person to be a mentor.
- What makes a person a safe person.
- The lack of available mentors.
- Being willing to have friendships at different levels.
- Look for friends in a variety of places, surrounding your interests.
- Being aware of your capacity when evaluating taking on responsibilities.
Other topics we cover:
- Leaning on God to meet your needs.
- Investing in the people who are in your life.
Links Mentioned:
- Katie Orr — Hear about her 15 minute a day, inductive Bible Study method on Episode 101
- Flourish –an equipping community for ministry wives
- Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
How to listen to the podcast:
1.Listen on the blog. Click through to GodCenteredMom.com and click the play button at the beginning of this post.
2. Listen on your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch – There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one (that I mentioned) in the app store, there is also one called Downcast. It allows you to search for shows, subscribe to them and even speed up the audio. If you don’t have an iDevice, you can listen via Stitcher.
3. Subscribe to the Podcast – access the podcast in iTunes (Click here to access via iTunes). You can also search for it on your smartphone app (like the ones listed above) and subscribe.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for this podcast! I’m a lead pastor’s wife and a preacher’s kid. So I can “Amen” all of what Mary Beth said and how Kathy answered her questions. I also wanted to point you and Mary Beth toward a great resource for pastor’s wives. Leadingandlovingit.com is website committed to equipping and connecting women in ministry. They have such a heart for pastor’s wives and letting them know they aren’t alone. What made me want to pass this info onto Mary Beth is they have online small groups of 10-15 ladies set up to connect wives in similar situations and they meet online to video chat once a month. They are called ConnectLive groups. My group has truly been a lifeline to me the past three years and the ladies I meet with have become precious friends even though miles may separate us. I know that was one question she asked about connecting online. They also have local connect groups, a blog, resources, an online spring conference and a fall in person conference. I went for the first time last year to the conference in Nashville and it was so good!! Anyway, just wanted to share the resources that have blessed me! Thank you again for heart for moms and women!!
This sounds awesome! I’m definitely going to check this out! Thanks so much!
Heather, you hit it out of the park with this episode. I am not a Pastor’s wife, so almost skipped this one, until I read your summary, urging everyone to listen. Boy, am I glad I did! It was so chock-full of wisdom that was nothing short of pure, warm honey for my soul. I loved both women, hearing both of their perspectives, and found myself wanting to go back and listen a second time so I can take notes! Thank you again, Heather, for a great podcast. I appreciate your ministry so much.
Oh I’m so glad you listened to me!! Wasn’t Kathy’s story amazing and her wisdom on friendships. Agree…warm honey for the soul! Thank you for listening!
Thank you for sharing this podcast! I stumbled upon the God centered mom podcast a few months ago, and have been finding myself sending links to different episodes to my mom friends often. Thanks for being such a voice of truth and perspective in this journey of motherhood!
This podcast was literally a “that’s me!l” episode. I am a 26-year-old pastor’s wife with three kids, learning and growing into my roles of life and family and ministry. I certainly don’t have the answers by any means, but I absolutely “get it.” The craziest part? I live half an hour away from Mary Beth. Maybe we should meet up sometime!