|
Who'd be a minister's wife?Buy one, get one free?WHO'D BE A MINISTER'S WIFE? When a man is called to be a pastor or vicar, what are the implications for his wife? Are all those cliches about flower arranging and scone baking true? Is she automatically a church worker on the bargain two-for-the-price-of-one basis? Should she pursue her own career? How will family life be affected? What about the emotional stresses, compounded in many cases by comparative poverty or financial insecurity? Heather Tinker, herself a vicar's wife, tackles all these questions and more in this short and very readable book. She writes in an informal, chatty way as if she were in your living room and you were asking her, 'What about this?' and 'What about that?' And she answers, 'Well, some people do... but Melvin and I have tended to...' She bravely lets us in to her own life, the choices she has made, the difficulties she has faced and the joys she has experienced in selfless service, answered prayers and unexpected providences. Since the book draws from experiences within the Church of England, some nonconformist readers may be amused by references to things like the problems of a large vicarage lawn, but the central issues will be recognised by a minister's wife of any denomination. Heather Tinker has a good deal of wisdom to share in a refreshingly humble and down-to-earth way. The book even includes recipes for feeding large numbers of people on a small budget. Frequently, gatherings of ministers' wives are characterised by a collective moan. This writer acknowledges the cost but challenges the reader to walk the road of cheerful service for the love of the One who first loved us. Although the book is very practical, Heather Tinker is unashamedly spiritual in her approach and she has a delightful, no-nonsense, roll-your-sleeves-up-and-get-on-with-the-work attitude. There is no place for introspection or self-pity. She makes a strong case for a minister's wife not taking paid contractual employment. This may put some readers on the defensive but the arguments are worth consideration. The writer's reasoning is based on kingdom priorities and strikes a well-aimed blow at the materialist lie. Three cheers for that! This book is a must-read for any woman whose husband is about to enter the ministry. Other women might benefit too. Ann Benton, Guildford© Evangelicals Now - August 2002 |