Disadvantage of Prioritizing Ministerial Duties before family

The disadvantage of prioritizing ministerial duties before your natural family is that the family may develop feelings of abandonment and rejection from the ministerial worker. Growing up as a preacher's kid, my stepdad always made time for my sister and I; never-the-less, many of my PK friends felt abandoned by their parents in the ministry. According to them, they felt they could not talk to them, that they were not important and that their parents cared more about the people in the church. Time that could have been spent on vacations, were spent on church conventions, revival services and prayer nights. They had no family dynamic, just a show of one.

In my opinion, as a person who now works in ministry, I can see both sides. Oftentimes people can pull you away from the family because of their needs; however, anyone who works in ministry must carve out time for their family. The scripture says in I Timothy 3:4-5 says, one who rules must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) This is not to be taken lightly. Many pastors have been embarrassed and heartbroken publicly by family members because of neglect. Intentional time and attention must be given to the family. The scripture says in Matthew 6:21 it says, Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The most impactful takeaway I received from the video was when they said a person must pray to make their family a priority. The Pastor must pray that God will help them be more intentional and for them to desire to be there for their children and spouse.

Paula thanks for sharing your story because it shows that it can be done having balance with ministry and family. Being in ministry so true its takes being intentional and like you said seeing both sides of the coin, since you are being pulled from both sides. I see the that too praying to make your family a priority, cause with prayer all things are possible.

Paula thank you so much for sharing about your first hand experience as a PK. I believe one must be intentional from the beginning if at all possible to set up boundaries and guardrails. I'm so glad your dad did so. Not doing so could create resentment, communications issues and hurt feelings. These are not the building blocks for family. In Ephesians 5:25 it says husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, meaning Christ did not neglect the church He loved the church.