MONROE, MI – When I said “I do” 47 years ago to my husband I never dreamed I would be a pastor’s wife. In the 35 years we’ve been in the ministry Bob has been a minister of education, a church planter, a pastor and served on the staff of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Currently he is pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Monroe, Michigan. What an adventure our lives have been!
On my refrigerator I have a sign that says, “No matter what the situation you can either laugh or cry, so you may as well laugh. There is absolutely nothing spiritual about this statement, but it reminds me not to take myself too seriously. I’m only 4’11” tall and sometimes Bob can’t find me in a crowded room, so he listens for my laughter to seek me out.
Just thinking about all the funny things that have happened during my life in the ministry makes me laugh; like the time my foot slipped on the organ and hit a loud bass pedal during the invitation prayer. My teenage son knew he shouldn’t laugh at his mother, so instead he let out a loud snort – an embarrassing, but funny moment, for both mother and son! Then there was the youth musical where I played an adult role as a waitress named Heartburn Laverne. One sweet elderly lady, who probably needed hearing aids, thought my name was really Laverne and from that day on she was proud to call me, Laverne.
What’s my identity and what are my ministries as a pastor’s wife? A lady once said that I didn’t act like a typical pastor’s wife (whatever that is) and I said “Thank you.” Another person heard this and said, “Do you think that is a compliment?” I responded, “Yes. I think it would be an insult to God who made me and gave me my personality to try and be something I’m not.”
Sharing ministry with Bob has always meant a lot to me. That doesn’t mean that we always have the same ministries. My ministries have changed over the years. My foremost ministry has always been music. However, I’ve been a Sunday School teacher, taught ladies’ Bible studies, been a youth worker, cooked Wednesday night suppers, been a deaf interpreter and on and on. Sometimes God has given me a new ministry that is totally out of my comfort zone. Leading conferences used to scare me to death, but after leading VBS conferences and pastors wives’ events (both about which I’m passionate), I’m happy to do them. God does perform miracles.
In 35 years of ministry we’ve lived in 4 states, 7 cities and 13 homes; that in itself is an adventure! Many lessons have been learned from living in so many houses. Number one lesson is that we’re not fixer-uppers. Our kids still laugh at some of the places we’ve lived. Wherever we’ve lived or whatever the ministry was, it’s all been worth it. I’m looking forward to many more adventures and definitely many more times of laughter!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sharon Wood is married to Bob, Pastor of Heritage Baptist Church, Monroe, MI. They have two adult children and five grandchildren.