1.Understanding the wife’s role in CP 2.Boundaries between home life & church life 3.Lace of emotional/spiritual support from local churches 4.Effect of church plant on family 5.Personal finances 6.Overwhelmed with needs/responsibilities 7.Criticism/Rejection from individuals 8.Time management/priorities 9.Loneliness/Isolation 10.Lack of time with husband

Her Response 1. Personal finances 2. Overwhelmed with needs/responsibilities 3. Time management/priorities 4. Boundaries between home life and church life 5. Lack of time with husband 6. Effect of church plant on family 7. Loneliness/isolation 8. Lack of emotional/spiritual support from local churches 9. Criticism/rejection from individuals 10. Understanding your role as the wife of a church planter here.

His Response 1. Personal finances 2. Boundaries between home life and church life 3. Overwhelmed with needs/responsibilities 4.Loneliness/Isolation 5. Lack of time with her husband 6. Understanding her role as the wife of a church planter 7. Effect of church plant on family 8. Time management/Priorities 9. Lack of emotional/spiritual support from local churches 10. Criticism/Rejection from individuals

Finances “I really expected more support emotionally, spiritually, and financially from the leadership of the (sponsoring) church. We also had others promise financial support and then not come through for us.” - CP Wife

Over half of church planter wives work outside the home. Finances

Finances play a huge role in the decision for a church planter wife to work outside of the home. Finances

Boundaries “Please be aware of allowing the church to become ‘the other woman’ in your marriage. Yes, it is important to be there for the families in your church, but don’t allow their problems and their sin to keep you away from your family.” - CP Wife

It is not uncommon for the church planter wife to have to take on responsibilities that may be out of her giftedness and/or comfort zone. Boundaries

Personal Care “It is easy as a church planter’s wife to assume that your husband is going to meet your spiritual needs, and they can’t always do that. God reminded me, ‘You are responsible for yourself,’ so I joined a women’s Bible Study at another church. That was a really great thing for me. Before that I had gotten to a point where I felt like I was in a drought spiritually. I told my husband that we couldn’t start a church with me like this.” - CP Wife

CP wives conveyed the importance of having a mentor, being a part of a small group, having close friends to whom they can confide, and being a part of a network. Personal Care (Spiritual, Emotional, & Physical)

In spite of the need and biblical mandate for times of rest and relaxation, many church planters and their families don’t do this on a regular basis. Personal Care (Spiritual, Emotional, & Physical)

The majority of church planter wives believe church planting has placed stress on their marriage and family. Marriage & Family

The majority of church planter wives believe church planting has placed stress on their marriage and family. Marriage & Family

“My relationship with my husband has been the most challenged through this. He is needed by everyone, where before he was there for me anytime I needed him.” - CP Wife

Church Planter Wives believe that church planting has a positive effect on their children. Marriage & Family

Criticism

“This has been really tough. Three families quit coming and I took it very personally.” - CP Wife

It is important for the wife to feel called to plant the church, just as her husband is called. Calling

“I think the wife of a church planter should also be a church planter, meaning, she needs to be just as committed to the project as her husband is. Her role will be very different from his, but if she doesn’t really want to be there, the whole family will be miserable.” - CP Wife

Training & Preparation “I simply did not know how stressful it would be - mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. A conference where people who have been there and get real about the experience would have helped.” - CP Wife

Less than 60% of our participants felt that they were prepared for the realities of church planting and the impact it would have upon their marriage and family. Training & Preparation

In spite of the struggles, challenges, and sacrifices identified by church planter wives, they gave an overwhelming positive response to church planting. Overall