I am one of a “hybrid” minister known as a clergy couple. My husband, Mark, is also a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the PC (USA). We were already married when we began to discover our calls. We went to seminary together (with our two children) and have been a team in ministry, marriage, parenting and discipleship for lo, these many years. It has taken many forms over the years, but it has always been a rich and rewarding partnership.
We have had shared calls – as Co-Pastors in Wrangell, Alaska, we shared preaching, teaching, pastoral care, youth work and administrative responsibilities and - a small bathroom!
We have had tandem calls – as Chaplains at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, we served the same organization in different, but overlapping ministries. Mark was the Chaplain to the Upper campus and I to the Middle and Lower campuses. We had distinct responsibilities with “crosspollination” of creativity and collaboration.
We have had distinct calls – When I served as Associate Pastor in Hilo, Mark served several small congregations in temporary, supply and fill in capacities. Though we seldom worshiped together, we supported each other’s ministry through prayer, encouragement and occasional collaboration.
We now serve three congregations on a great adventure, as they grow into a parish knit together in mission and ministry. Sundays include preaching three sermons, teaching two Sunday school classes and traveling over 50 miles. Through the love and courage of the people and the hope and promise of the gospel, these churches are finding and sharing Christ in a changing world.
We love to work together. We make a great team. Dynamic and creative things happen when we work the same field. We are open to conversation with congregations that are curious or would like to explore the advantages and possibilities of a clergy couple.
We have had shared calls – as Co-Pastors in Wrangell, Alaska, we shared preaching, teaching, pastoral care, youth work and administrative responsibilities and - a small bathroom!
We have had tandem calls – as Chaplains at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, we served the same organization in different, but overlapping ministries. Mark was the Chaplain to the Upper campus and I to the Middle and Lower campuses. We had distinct responsibilities with “crosspollination” of creativity and collaboration.
We have had distinct calls – When I served as Associate Pastor in Hilo, Mark served several small congregations in temporary, supply and fill in capacities. Though we seldom worshiped together, we supported each other’s ministry through prayer, encouragement and occasional collaboration.
We now serve three congregations on a great adventure, as they grow into a parish knit together in mission and ministry. Sundays include preaching three sermons, teaching two Sunday school classes and traveling over 50 miles. Through the love and courage of the people and the hope and promise of the gospel, these churches are finding and sharing Christ in a changing world.
We love to work together. We make a great team. Dynamic and creative things happen when we work the same field. We are open to conversation with congregations that are curious or would like to explore the advantages and possibilities of a clergy couple.
He saw my picture before we met.
I heard his voice before I saw his face.
And then, finally – months, months, months later… we met face to face. Early conversations were about what most stirred us - living life wide open for Jesus. We had no map and few details but we did trust God to take us along. Who knew that we would spend the rest of our lives together being each other’s fiercest ally and most reliable critic; that he would make me laugh and teach me how to play; that I would make him stop and think and be his place of rest. Who knew?
Quick illustration: when we met, he dreamt of a grand strawberry farm under the mid-night sun. He had ordered a boat load of plants but hadn’t arranged for how to pay for them. I had some money and a list of reasons why it might not work. We put our resources together and we raised strawberries. He brought the dream and I made a plan. We often work that way with some pretty amazing results! Scary moments but amazing results.
We make a great team in so many ways; specifically the church sees it in retreat leadership, camps, experiential learning, mentoring, preaching styles, expressed hospitality, teaching, worship and building leaders.