Half or Double?

No, I’m not asking if you want that overpriced coffee beverage half-fat or double blended.

I’m talking about ministry…together.

When Sammy and I were ministry interns ten years ago, we heard that a partner, a spouse, a girlfriend will either half or double your ministry.   We vowed then and there to double ministries.

Truth be told, there have been times in the last ten years when I have halved my husband’s ministry instead of doubled it.  Oftentimes, my selfishness has gotten in the way.  Once I was injured (8 months pregnant with my dominant arm in a sling), and had to have help doing everything.  When I had newborn babies, I needed him at home more.  Sometimes, when I was emotionally unwell, I just needed him nearby.

This summer we enter new territory.  In addition to his usual role at our church, he’s kind of the man in charge, too.  I guess that kinda, sorta means he’s my boss this summer…at work.  There is more expected of him mentally, emotionally, and physically.  By default, that means there is more expected of me mentally, emotionally, and physically.  That’s okay.  I think this will be good for us, and I’m thankful we get to try this out with a three-month stint.

Sign a co-worker posted above Sammy's desk today

I hope I will double his ministry this summer.  He cannot be in two places at once.  Sometimes, I can go to one of those places.  We got our first shot at it less than 24 hours into this summer position.  Last night, he needed to be at a Bible class he teaches for his campus, and he needed to meet with a family to prepare a funeral.  I told him I could do either—teach Bible Basics or do the funeral.  I’ve never done either before, but there’s a first time for anything.  I want to offer a family the gift of a healing, caring, honest funeral at some point, but I was also relieved when he delegated Bible Basics to me instead.

So, I taught a dozen or so people about the epistles (letters) in the New Testament last night, particularly Paul’s letters of Galatians and Philippians.  I’m as confident teaching the Bible to teenagers as I am about anything.  But they were not teenagers.  And they did not know me.  They have been learning about the Bible from my husband for ten weeks, and they do church with him every Sunday.  While I can go toe-to-toe with my husband in several areas, Biblical knowledge is not one of them. 

But, I do have a Master’s of Divinity.  I can, and did, teach about the epistles in the New Testament.  I am not my husband, and I know he would have taught differently and in more detail.  However, the group was very gracious with me, and I presume, much easier on me than on him.  And I hope that I doubled his ministry last night.