When Lynley and I set sail on this Glass House voyage, we weren’t exactly sure where we were headed. We knew there was widespread exhaustion from COVID protocols, we knew that many people in ministry were considering an exit, we knew that encouragement was desperately needed. Hosting conversations with pastors and wives and staff people would be helpful if they were willing to tell the truth about how it feels on the inside. Honestly, they were. With 100 episodes under our belt, we’ve learned a ton, but here are three key themes that have emerged.
1. The local church is still the best place for authentic community.
With all the challenges church leaders face, there’s nothing like the immersion one feels in serving the body of Christ all week long. There are weeks when you want to quit, weeks when you can feel cynicism setting in, and weeks when you wonder if you’re making any lasting difference. These are the occupational hazards, but the beauty of “doing life” with people and walking with them through their ups and downs is a high privilege. When this life is done, you can know that you’ve invested your time well if you’ve poured yourself out for people.
2. The role of the pastor’s wife can be daunting.
Much has been made of the pressures Senior Pastors face. The always-on nature of ministry can wear even the best men out, but the pastor’s wife is often left out of these discussions. Often without pay, she carries a similar weight and is expected to perform on her “job” with a smile on her face and joy in her heart. The Glass House has opened our eyes to the number of pastor’s wives that are sincerely struggling to measure up to the expectations and secretly pine for another kind of life. A more simple one. We have a lot of work to do in encouraging them.
3. Ministry leaders must “feel to heal.”
As wonderful as it sounds to “consider it pure joy” when we face all kinds of trials in the church, there are days when our humanity overcomes our spirituality. Anger, sadness, shame, hurt—all these emotions accompany ministry and The Glass House has demonstrated the deep need for ministry leaders to process these emotions in a healthy way, and to have permission to feel the same range of emotions all human beings feel.
100 episodes down, and we’re more convinced than ever that vulnerability sets us free, and ushers in a humble spirit that honors the Lord.
Lifeway’s “The Glass House” is a space where ministry leaders will shed light on the challenges they often don’t feel permission to talk about. Listeners who work in the trenches of church life will feel seen and gain tools to navigate ministry and life. Those who live outside this “glass house” will better understand what it’s like to dwell there.
Join Ben and Lynley Mandrell for these shockingly confessional—yet redemptive—conversations.