By Bob Burns, Tasha D. Chapman and Donald C. Guthrie. This article is an excerpt from the book, Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us About Surviving and Thriving. 2013, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

The article can be found through the link: http://www.ctlibrary.com/le/2013/april-online-only/is-ministry-killing-your-marriage.html

This article addresses many of the challenges clergy couples encounter.

I suggest that you and your spouse take the time to read the article independently. Then schedule some time to sit down and discuss what resonated with you. If the discussion questions below are helpful to give a framework to your discussion, please use them.

  1. In what ways does your spouse serve as a “dumping ground”? How does this work for your marriage? If it does not serve to build on healthy “oneness” in your marriage, what changes can you make?
  2. What boundaries do you have/can you establish to protect the sanctity of your marriage and family in light of the stressors of ministry?
  3. What “rhythms” can/have you established in your personal, marriage and family life to nurture healthy, holy self- care, and appropriate care and nurture for your marriage and family?