guest blog: LPL event recap

A community of believers with a similar calling, sincere worship, a fresh word from the Word, and purposeful prayer and response… what an amazing weekend we had at Living Proof Live for Ministers' Wives!

We were reminded to be vulnerable in our time together. No one was going to complain if we raised our hands in worship. We were safe to confide in each other.

Beth Moore shared from Galatians and gave a six-word aggravations related to ministry life followed by a six-word alternative. At different points throughout the weekend, we wrote our own six words and shared with those around us. The setting of this conference was intimate enough that several ladies shared their words with the entire group.

The first aggravation was: ministry by default, lifelong misfit. We sometimes think that God didn’t know what He was doing by giving us this calling. That thinking makes us miserable, and we should not be that way all time. Ministry is supposed to be hard. Instead, we are chosen by God. Have a holy fit. (Galatians 1:1)

Another aggravation: Seek their approval, become their slave. Instead, seek God’s approval, find your peace. We need approval from no one else (another staff wife, member of your congregation). Romans 14:4, “Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”

Oh… this aggravation is good: Work with people. Expect titanic problems! Beth shared a story and ended it with, “Are we getting cranky?” Ouch! She covered issues dealing with competition, conflict and criticism. Our alternative is to: choose to trust, not thrust. It’s important to learn to work through conflict.

Trade your bondage, keep your chains was the next aggravation. Galatians 5:1, “It was for freedom that Christ set us free, therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.” The only offensive we have is Scripture. We need to have Scripture memorized and ready for these situations. She challenged us to commit 20 verses to memory. The alterative: Don’t ignore. Get restored and restore. (Galatians 6:1)

We have been called to Holy living. The aggravation: Sow the flesh. Reap the dregs. It’s important to fight for true godliness. We see the flesh in people and we might think its okay. It’s not. Our alternative: Sow the spirit. Reap the life. (Galatians 2:20)

The last aggravation Beth shared: Lose what counts. Watch misery mount. The only thing that counts is sharing faith through love. (Galatians 5:6 and 6:15) The alternative: Keep the King the thing: Jesus. “Let everything else fall away,“ Beth concluded.

I am so grateful for my sweet husband that allowed me to be away. He always steps up when asked and cares for our home and two daughters, including getting them to church on Sunday, amidst all of his other responsibilities. In addition to these wonderful truths and worship time, I connected with old friends and made new ones.

Erin Lynn is a PW who lives in Mississippi with her husband, the Preschool Pastor at Temple Baptist Church, and their two girls. She attended the first LPL event for minister's wives 3 years ago and wants to meet you at the next one (whenever, wherever that may be).