Navigating Transitions in Ministry (an interview with Lynley Mandrell)

When God calls you to a new place, it won’t always be a smooth transition. There may be hurt and heartbreak over who or what you have to leave behind. Lynley Mandrell joins me today to share her story of a tough ministry transition, what she and her husband did well, what they did poorly, and how much the Lord taught them in the midst of the mess.  SHOW NOTES Just because the Lord calls you to something doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Find the balance between seeking counsel and allowing too many voices to pollute what God is saying to your family. Ministry is hard, no matter how healthy you think you are. Check-in with a Christian counselor on a regular basis. QUOTES “You take the things people say very heavily and then it makes you question, ‘Is that God speaking through this person? Are we doing the right thing or are we doing the wrong thing?’ This is when trust and faith in God comes in.”  -Lynley Mandrell “There’s a sense of ownership, right or wrong, that people feel about their pastors. So it’s really hard to release them to other people or to a different kind of ministry. It’s understandable, the shock and the sadness that they feel.”  -Christine Hoover “I think the thing that we have learned the most is no matter what, it cannot hurt to just have a check in with a Christian counselor pretty regularly. Ministry is really hard, and managing people’s opinions and perceptions is really hard. It takes its toll.”  -Lynley Mandrell “I think the best advice is: go into transition with your hands wide open, saying, ‘Whatever you have for me in this season God, so be it.'” -Lynley Mandrell LINKS FROM THE SHOW The Glass House From Strength to Strength Head over to www.ministrywivespodcast.com to check out the great content already on the site!  CONNECT Connect with Christine Facebook // Instagram // Books Visit How to Thrive as a Pastor’s Wife to access Christine’s resources for ministry wives like you!