Vitally important questions for Ministry Wives to ponder…
Where are your truly safe places?
Where can you “unclench” and relax and just be your genuine self?
Who are your Aarons and Hurs (Exodus 17) to hold your arms up in the battle?
Who truly understands the roller coaster world of ministry?
Where do you feel free to cry or scream if need be?
Who points you to God when you are worn out and struggling to find your North Star?
What restores your perspective and priorities?
Who helps you laugh at the crazy mix of ministry, marriage, family, career, and life?
When did you last experience unhurried and peaceful rest?
Are you struggling with something so heartbreaking, dark, or weird that you feel no one would understand or even believe?
Who feeds your soul?
Who pastors you?
Who helps reminds you how much you are loved and treasured?
How often do you PLAY and have FUN?
Every week I work with pastors, missionaries, ministry spouses, pastors’ kids, and others from ministry families who are dealing with various struggles. They may be dealing with stress, depression, conflict, betrayal, deep loneliness, or fear of the wheels coming off in some way. The common denominator in usually: no close friends. Lots of acquaintances, maybe hundreds or even thousands. But few or no friends who can truly listen, come alongside, and care for their soul.
"Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away." –Dinah Maria Mulock Craik
The Sisterhood of the Fishbowl (as we call it) is Psalm One’s (https://www.psalmone.org/) community of encouragement for pastors’ wives. These women are MY lifeline. They are the finest human beings I know. Authentic, non-Stepford-Wife friends of depth, substance, camaraderie, transparency, support, and laughter. Our gatherings and retreats are not about being the Perfect Pastor’s Wife. They are designed to restore your soul and spirit, find your identity in God, build healthy and reciprocal friendships, and nurture the connections, peace, security, grace, rest, release, laughter and tools we all need to keep our heart alive toward Jesus.
Where can you find friends who understand the unique stressors of life in the fishbowl of ministry?
Psalm One Soul Care Retreats just for Ministry Wives. We LOVE these small, relaxed getaways.
“Pastors’ wives have full (often over-full) schedules and may also shy away from “Stepford Wives” types of gatherings. The “Sisterhood of the Fishbowl” Soul Care Retreat is nothing like this! The past retreat that I attended was so life-giving and necessary for me. We’ve been going through a difficult time in our church and I was shattered. Being able to talk to others who knew exactly where I was coming from and to receive prayer and encouragement from them, was like having my burdens lifted from my shoulders and carried by these women. It’s amazing how you can develop such a strong connection to people you’ve never met before. I’m an introvert and being in a group of strangers is very intimidating for me, but it doesn’t take long to find commonalities with the other women. Linda Kline also facilitates this gathering in a way that is healthy, safe, God-focused, healing, and fun. It is absolutely worth the time, money, and effort. If you’re hesitating in any way, give it a chance and sign up. You’ll never hesitate again.”
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“It was a true gift to come away with God and friends — both old and new — to share our stories, lift one another up, and spend uninterrupted time with Jesus. Our lives are so busy, and many times it feels we are being ‘pecked to death’ by demands from spouse, children, parents, job, and ministry. These retreat times give us space to connect more deeply with Jesus and to share life with women who just ‘get it'. The age range this weekend was significant, spanning 3 generations. In spite of this, our shared lives of ministry gave us a great deal in common. We could laugh together uproariously and also grieve empathetically. Shared challenges, successes, griefs, fears, joys, and just a bit of irreverence about ministry life make a wonderful mesh of connections. If you are a pastor’s wife wondering whether you can justify the cost and/or the time away from responsibilities: YES! These retreats pay dividends for months and years after the event.”
Free weekends never just appear. You may think you cannot take a weekend away to replenish your soul, but in reality we can't afford not to. Block out the dates now to join us for one of these wonderful retreats! Space is limited. If you want to come to both, this is the year to do it…
§ Cincinnati, Ohio—January 30 to February 1
§ Green Lake, Wisconsin—April 10-12
Questions? Hesitations? Available spots? Call Linda at 513-226-0025. For more information and to register: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives
Once a year is not enough. Where you live in downtown Manhattan or the middle of nowhere, you can join us once a week! Come meet with the Sisterhood of the Fishbowl Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time for laughter, prayer, encouragement, shared wisdom, and a supportive community of women who know life in the ministry. You are always welcome, whether you drop in from time to time or able to be there every week. Sign up to stay in the loop with links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives
Craving time in the Word that you don’t have to lead? Join us for the Psalm One Bible Study! A great group of people who encourage and support one another as we learn from the Scriptures. Tuesdays at 7:30 Pm Eastern Time. For men and women from any time zone. Sign up to stay in the loop for links and resources: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study
Could you or your husband (or both) use a reboot? Sometime to pull away from the muchness and manyness to focus on Jesus without interruptions? Men and women are invited to join us for the Refocus and Refuel Retreat. We would love to have you with us for this restful getaway November 14-16 in Cincinnati. This is a great way to prepare Him room before we head into the craziness and busyness of the holiday season. Especially helpful and restful for pastors and missionaries to be recharged without any expectations on your platter! Register NOW to come along for this drink of cool water. https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel
We need each other. Life is too hard to handle on your own. Ministry is definitely too tough to go it alone. Come and find a friend or two. If you need a listening ear, prayer, resources, spiritual direction, or a place to scream, I’m here. (Just give me a heads-up if you’re going to scream…)
Much love,
Linda