Pastor's Perspective - Ministering to the Minister

Dear FCC Family & Friends,

Please take a moment and pray for the Graham family. Yesterday Ruth Graham died. She was 87. In the very end she was surrounded by her husband, Dr. Billy Graham, and all five of their children. Dr. Graham said, “Ruth was my life partner, and we were called by God as a team. No one else could have borne the load that she carried. She was a vital and integral part of our ministry, and my work through the years would have been impossible without her encouragement and support.”

This week in Cupertino, I had the opportunity to be an audience member under the teaching of Dr. Henry Cloud. For two incredible days he and his associate, Dr. John Townsend, taught us leadership principles. Wednesday Cloud reminded us as pastors of how closely the vision and mission of our churches are tied to us personally; that we are the very “guardians” of them.

Recently and sweetly, several of you in the church have asked me, “Steve, as you strive to take care of the church, who is taking care of you? Who encourages you? Who is ministering to the minister?”

On a weekend where I could/should be writing about fathers, I felt a special spark to write about the one who ministers to the minister unlike anyone else in my life – my beautiful wife Michelle. Friends, she is the one who takes care of me and has been my strongest encourager for many years – even before I was a pastor. Without her I simply could not do what I do.

While Dr. Cloud reminded me that as lead pastor I’m a pillar-person of vision; the Holy Spirit reminded me, “Steve, you couldn’t be that person without another often overlooked pillar-person in the wings, your wife.” So, at FCC as I try to uphold a standard and Christ-honoring direction, God in His beautiful planning and forethought is using one of His precious daughters to uphold me!

Recent studies show that upward of 80% of pastor’s wives are discouraged and feel unappreciated. Yet, if you stop and think about it, their roles are absolutely foundational to the success of the churches in which they serve. As they go, so do their husbands; and as their husbands go, so does the church. Yesterday, even the greatest evangelist of modern memory reminded us that he couldn’t have done what he has done without his dear Ruth – his treasured teammate.

In closing, thank you for the opportunity to be your pastor. I adore what I do and still pinch myself that I get paid to do it! It’s a joy occasionally peppered with migraines, but I love it because I love you. Your sweet compliments continue to bless and encourage me tremendously. However, I want to remind all of you, there is an unsung pillar person in the wings who lovingly and patiently provides a unique ministry to me that allows me to do what I do day after day. For her life and influence I’m humbled and eternally grateful.

In the Fight,

Michelle’s Husband