C. S. Lewis once observed, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” Ministry couples know this tension well. Their calling is noble, but the weight is heavy.

When the shepherd is exhausted, the flock suffers. When the marriage of a pastor bends under strain, the whole body feels it. Paul’s counsel is clear: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17). To support the shepherd is to protect the sheep.

This truth came alive for me as I prepared for a friend’s funeral service. A close friend and family of ours recently passed. His life was marked by hardship—paralyzed at 23, doctors said he had only a few years. Yet through his mother’s sacrificial love and his own unshakable spirit, Eddie lived 31 more years. He found faith in Christ, and instead of retreating, he used his days to encourage, counsel, and inspire others. His mother Cheryl, and his brothers Scotty and Robbie, stood faithfully with him through every trial.

What struck me most was how Eddie’s life mirrored the very heart of pastoral ministry. Though limited by weakness, he poured himself out to strengthen others. Though confined, he created community. Though tested, he never quit. Eddie’s story became a sermon: thriving doesn’t mean an absence of pain—it means leaning on Christ and being surrounded by faithful people who care.

This is what pastors and spouses need. Not an easier road, but a supportive one. Not applause, but encouragement. Not isolation, but community.

Lewis once wrote, “The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ.” And that is precisely why we exist—to draw pastors and their spouses into Christ, so they, in turn, can draw others.

Healthy pastors and thriving marriages are not luxuries. They are the lifeblood of a flourishing Church. To care for them is to obey Christ. For when shepherds thrive, the flock thrives. When marriages stand strong, ministries multiply. And when pastors and spouses are supported, the Gospel advances.

So we say with conviction: Thriving, healthy, supported pastors and wives. It’s why we exist.

Devotional: Thriving Pastors, Flourishing Churches

Scripture:
“And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” – Jeremiah 3:15

Reflection:
Pastors are not machines; they are shepherds with fragile hearts, human limits, and families who feel the weight of their calling. When pastors and their spouses are healthy and supported, the entire church benefits. Their resilience becomes a living parable of God’s grace.

C. S. Lewis once wrote, “Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” At the funeral of Eddie Payne this week, I was reminded of that truth. Eddie lived 31 years beyond what doctors said was possible. His body was weak, but his spirit was strong, and he used every breath to encourage others, lift their burdens, and point them to Jesus. His family—especially his mother Cheryl and brothers Scotty and Robbie—stood faithfully by his side.

It was a vivid picture: thriving comes not from the absence of hardship, but from the presence of God’s strength and the love of community. And what Eddie embodied is exactly what pastors and their spouses need—support, encouragement, and the reminder that they don’t carry the mission alone.

Application:

• Pray daily for your pastor and spouse.
• Offer words of encouragement when they feel unseen.
• Remember: thriving shepherds bring thriving churches.

Prayer:
Lord, bless and sustain the pastors and ministry couples who serve Your Church. Give them joy in their calling, strength in their weakness, and peace in their families. May we, as Your people, be faithful in encouraging and supporting them—so that Your Church flourishes to the glory of Christ. Amen.

Written for pastors, wives and ministry leaders. More at thechurchhub.org.