Wellness Wednesday (Ideas For Church Worker & Congregational Wellness) – “How Is Your Spousal Support?”

What comes to mind when you hear the words “spousal support”? Generally, this phrase is associated with the amount of financial support given to a spouse in the case of a divorce or separation in marriage. However, I would like to draw your attention to the actual definition of the two words separately. Spousal relates to marriage or to a husband or wife. Support refers to a thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it upright (noun) or to bear all or part of the weight of; to hold up (verb).

Based on the above definitions, I would venture to say that many church workers rely on their spousal support. These are the ones whom they are married to (either husband or wife) and who help bear all or part of the weight of ministry. They may even hold up their spouses in fervent prayer at all times. How often have church workers relied on their spouses for such support, encouragement, and prayer in both great and challenging moments of ministry?

I have heard it said many times that the spouse of a church worker is the unsung hero of ministry. Perhaps they are also the unrecognized foot soldier. They are usually the ones who battle schedules, conflicts, daily chores, home, work, and ministry demands every day in their various areas of responsibility.

At times, there are thin rewards for such a difficult job. Often, this job comes with little or no formal training yet requires such a depth of wisdom and experience. Sometimes, it feels like the individual is navigating this role on their own with little assistance from others.

So, the question I would like you to consider today is how is your spousal support doing? What kind of support and encouragement do they need in order to be the support that they are to you in your ministry role? How will we care for them – heart, soul, mind and body? What resources do they need in order to live a healthy and balanced life? How can you provide those resources in your context to strengthen them so that they can “bear the weight of” and help to keep you and your family upright in challenging times?

The SED is forming a church worker spouse team focused on empowering their wellness. Do you know of someone, either in your family or your ministry, who is passionate about building healthy spousal support systems for our church workers and their families? Please reach out to my husband, Travis Guse (tguse@se.lcms.org) with the names of individuals interested in helping to build these resources for healthy and thriving church worker families.

As we journey together in ministry, let us seek to “to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:12-13 ESV)

In Christ – Stephanie Guse

Life & Faith Coach, SED Coaching Network