The Owenses: Fast-Track Pastoring
The difference between David and Jackie Owens's first church—the two excruciating years in Tennessee (chapter 3)—and the second church in Van Wert, Ohio, was the difference between a stagnant situation and one with growth potential. As the couple adjusted to the realities of pastoring, David began to thrive in the ministry, and the rise in attendance figures paralleled the boost in his own spirit. He still had to work part-time in order to support the family, but his love affair with the pastorate blossomed regardless. He remains infatuated to this day.
I find myself too often having early meetings. I like to meet with a new Christian or a potential Christian, maybe a business person, and catch breakfast before they go to work at eight. And the day just keeps going from there.
Even when I'm bushed, I guess I just love the work of God. Roll me out of bed, point me in the direction of the shower, and I'll head [automatically] for the restaurant.
I don't drag and mope and grumble, "Oh, I hate this." I love it.
In Van Wert, the idea of taking a day off was preposterous to David, given the challenge of the church and also the need to work an extra job. The more Jackie began to get her bearings as a pastor's wife, the more she began to notice his absence.
I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that I could be home with the children. But Saturdays were extremely hard for me, because everybody else's husband was home that day. Families were together.
Saturday was the day I didn't see David all day. He was in the office preparing, and I would be home with not a lot to do.
One particular weekend stands out in her memory. A special Friday evening dinner was planned; Jackie cannot remember now, twenty years later, whether company had been invited ...
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