BRENTWOOD — The comment of a young Tennessee Baptist Convention pastor’s wife during the 2008 “The Good Cup: A Meeting Place for Ministers Wives” at First Baptist Church, Hendersonville, was the inspiration for a recent pastors and wives retreat.
“She kept saying ‘I wish someone had told me how lonely this being a pastor’s wife is in a local church,’ ” said Lana Rose, TBC secretaries/ministers wives ministries specialist.
“After the 2008 Good Cup, a ministers wives subcommittee formed to address the needs of couples who have served less than three years in the ministry.”
A “Young in the Ministry” retreat was held in late September at Carson Springs Conference Center, Newport. Eight couples attended the event which was funded through the Cooperative Program, she added.
Randy Davis, pastor of First Baptist Church, Sevierville, and his wife Jeanne; and Phil Young, pastor of Salem Baptist Church, Knoxville, and his wife Kim were “the seasoned couples.”
“The experienced ministry couples shared with the younger couples their journeys in ‘the ministry,’ ” noted Rose.
“This was one of the most successful things we’ve done in the pastors and wives area. The couples left equipped with resources for their ministries, and they also built relationships with personnel of the TBC.”
Besides the seasoned ministry couples, the program included James Porch, TBC executive director, who spoke on how a shepherd takes care of his sheep; Ray Gilder, TBC bivocational ministries specialist; and Mark LeMay, TBC family/support service specialist.
Three similar retreats are planned for 2010.
This year’s “The Good Cup” will be held on Nov. 9 from 1-3:30 p.m.at West Jackson Baptist Church, Jackson, prior to the annual meeting of the TBC (see details on page 8).
When asked if dialogue from the upcoming event will influence next year’s retreat topics, Rose said, “We will listen for issues that arise that we as a convention can address in future events.”
This year’s “Good Cup” speakers will be Jennifer Landrith, senior pastor’s wife, and Rachel Lovingood, student pastor’s wife, both of Long Hollow Baptist Church, Hendersonville. The women are co-authors of in our shoes, a six-week Bible study resource with helpful tips. Musical guest will be Carolyn Reed, music evangelist and pastor’s wife of Scenic View Baptist Church, Nashville. The event is free.
In addition, the annual TBC Ministers Wives luncheon will be held Nov. 10 at Calvary Baptist Church, Jackson. The featured speaker will be Landrith. Music will be presented by Daphne Murrell, author, musician and worship pastor’s wife of New Harmony Baptist Church, Paris.
For information on the 2009 “Good Cup” and the luncheon, contact Rose at 1-800-558-2090 ext. 2008, (615) 371-2008 or lrose@tnbaptist.org.
