The Aagards: Hunger and Thirst
Wayne and JoAnne Aagard, now in their early fifties, have also been working a long time to open up their souls to one another. In some ways their current pastorate at Saint Michael's Presbyterian Church in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, is a good setting for their personal struggle; the congregation is strong, the Session cooperative, the two associate ministers competent as well as loyal. Unlike some of their earlier posts of duty, there are no fires raging in the membership. Wayne in some ways is another David Owens (see chapter 14)—handsome, energetic, goal-oriented, at the peak of his powers, in love with the ministry. Some might even call him driven. He does not come off that way in public, however; he moves easily among people, his greetings and stories lighting up their faces. JoAnne, on the other hand, is not quite the self-starter Jackie Owens is. She has carried a running quarrel with the "pastor's wife" image from the beginning. Her model as a girl growing up was not positive, and so she did not want to marry a minister. But she wanted Wayne. She insists she cannot do the expected things well (play the organ, speak to groups); hence, the public ministry will never be a full reward for her. Instead, she wants her husband. She wants soul communication. She wants quiet togetherness, not because she has begged for it but because her husband freely arranges it. That is hard for Wayne to remember in the swirl of pastoring. Underneath this couple's propriety and courtesy to each other, conversation does not flow freely. They tend to sit across the room from each other, not only in the parish hall on social occasions but in their own living room while being interviewed. They weigh their words carefully before responding. Both agree ...
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