Called Out: You Can’t Fill Another Woman’s Shoes
You Can’t Fill Another Woman’s Shoes
By Patsy Evans
On Friday, I went shoe shopping in a store with over 100,000 pairs of shoes. I need this store because I wear a size 12, which is not widely available. This foot frustration made me think about filling the shoes of the women who preceded me in ministry.
I’ve followed two very different women. It was easier to follow the first one because she was not a regular church attendee (I was), and I had a two-month-old child (I was needed at home.) I had much less life experience than the predecessor in our second church. This Senior Citizen grew up in a pastor’s family, attended seminary, relished theological debates and counted Francis Schaeffer as a close friend. She was gracious to me.
What have I learned? You can’t fill another woman’s shoes. You shouldn’t try. There are some things you can do, though.
You should be as honestly transparent as possible when applying (or, your husband is applying) for your next church or ministry assignment. Churches can be very different in their expectations. According to a song I heard about ministry marriages, some churches think they are getting “two people for the price of one.” Other churches do not want to hear from the wife because the call is for the husband only. In my opinion, both of these are unbalanced approaches. You need to tell the church as much as possible about yourself so that they won’t expect a clone of your predecessor. They need to tell you about themselves so that you know what to expect, as well. “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:31)
When you get to a new place, realize that you are equipped for the ministry God gives you. He uses experiences from your past as well as what you are learning from Him today. In fact, as His children, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”(II Peter 1:3) These are the ultimate resources for doing what He calls us to do in our lives and ministry.
We can’t work outside the biblical framework God gives, but we can use our minds to evaluate how to minister in His name. Think about the church’s needs and how to match that with the spiritual gifts and graces God has given you. It is quite possible that you have exactly what the church needs at this time. This might be a unique quality that was lacking in the predecessor. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:.” (I Peter 4:10)
I have come to terms with my big feet. It is wishful thinking that I could squeeze into a size 10. I don’t even try. In the same way, I am usually content with the way God made me and with the gifts He has given me. I don’t even try to be the woman who went before me. Her shoes wouldn’t fit me anyway.
As well as being a pastor’s wife for over thirty years, Patsy Evans is the mother of both a pastor’s wife and a pastor. Her ministry of serving the Lord is not of the “sings in the choir and teaches Sunday school” variety. Patsy blogs for women in ministry with her daughter, Megan at Sunday Women.
*Are you interested in writing an article for Called Out? Do you know someone who might? Be sure to check out our submission guidelines. If you have any questions or are ready to submit your article, please email us at submissions@apreacherswife.com. We’ve loved what we’ve received, so please keep them coming! Look for our next Called Out article on October 14.
Fabulous article!
This is such great advice for those looking at new churches or coming out of seminary. Because I have a youth ministry degree, I was afraid churches would assume I was going to take over the youth group. I was upfront (in a kind way) saying they would not be getting two for the price of one and I was not sure where I was going to be involved, but I knew I would do something as a volunteer. Turns out I am doing volunteer youth ministry, but I am sharing it with 2-3 other people. I’ve never felt the pressure do more (or less) than what I am doing.
Love this! I also wear a size 12 shoe so I feel your pain :) lol! I think anytime we compare ourselves to others we come up short. I have tried to be the best ME I can be.
I believe that when you’re thinking good about yourself and other people, good will come back at you. Honesty is one of the ways to be good toward others and yourself.
Thanks.
I think that the only shoes that we need to fill are our own :)
I love this. And I may have to pass this on to some of my children. It seems with a husband who is 6’4″, some of our children are bound to have some very large feet. I told my oldest daughter if Michael Phelps ever got a look at her feet, he would propose marriage immediately. Between his build and her feet their kids are bound to set new swimming records. We laughed SO hard.