The Church Planting Wife: Help and Hope for Her Heart
"Nothing in my life goes untouched by my husband’s calling."
Christine Hoover’s words in the first chapter describe so well the life of a church planter’s wife, which is enormously difficult yet extraordinarily rewarding. To be married to a church planter is a calling of its own with a richness of its own.
In The Church Planting Wife, Hoover explores and encourages the hearts of her readers while teaching what it means to have heart prepared for this unique ministry. She knows the challenges: A church planter's wife must develop a job description, be a wise helper to her husband, develop friendships within the church and community, deal with stress and discouragement, handle wounds, and more. Christine speaks candidly about these challenges while urging readers to grow a heart that wholly reflects Jesus.
Spread throughout these pages are stories and interviews from church planting wives. Christine Hoover empathetically and pointedly builds from these testimonies to uplift the reader and offer lessons of hope in the midst of a challenging ministry.
From the Back Cover
“Now we faced the difficult work of church planting. Was I willing?”
A church planting wife must develop a job description, be a wise helper to her husband, develop friendships within the church and within the community, deal with stress and discouragement, handle wounds, and more. Christine Hoover knows the joys and challenges. She says, “Church planting is hard work . . . but it’s so worth it!”
She will offer practical encouragement for church planting wives. In addition, you’ll enjoy reading interviews with other women who have tended the new ground of a church plant. If you’re a church planting wife, you need this book. And if you know one, you’ll want to share this readable volume with her!
Introduction: The Promise
Chapter One: The Heart of the Church Planting Wife
Chapter Two: The Dependent Heart
The Church Planting Wife’s Job Description
Interview with a Re-Planter’s Wife: Lauren Chandler, wife of Matt Chandler, The Village Church, Flower Mound, TX
Chapter Three: The Sacrificial Heart
Eradicating Pride
Interview with a Planter’s Wife: Ginger Vassar, wife of JR Vassar, Apostles Church, New York City, NY
Chapter Four: The Faithful Heart
Forsaking Fear
Interview with a Planter’s Wife: Lora Batterson, wife of Mark Batterson, National Community Church, Washington D.C.
Chapter Five: The Peaceful Heart
Battling Stress
Interview with a Planter's Wife: Amanda Jones, wife of Curtis Jones, Bayou City Fellowship, Houston, TX
Chapter Six: The Helping Heart
Being a Wise Helpmate to the Church Planter
Interview with a Planter’s Wife: Shauna Pilgreen, wife of Ben Pilgreen, Epic Church, San Francisco, CA
Chapter Seven: The Connected Heart
Developing Life-giving Friendships
Interview with a Planter’s Wife: Brandi Wilson, wife of Pete Wilson, Cross Point Church, Nashville, TN
Chapter Eight: The Undivided Heart
Choosing to Please God Alone
Interview with a Planter’s Wife: Jenn Carter, wife of Matt Carter, The Austin Stone Community Church, Austin, TX
Chapter Nine: The Healed Heart
When Church Planting Brings Wounds
Interview with a Planter’s Wife: Yvette Mason, wife of Eric Mason, Epiphany Fellowship, Philadelphia, PA
Chapter Ten: The Encouraged Heart
Dealing with Discouragement
Conclusion
With all the church planting we see today, we often overlook the calling and the burden that is placed on the woman behind the man. Christine Hoover's vivid story-telling of the struggles and joys of being a church planter's wife is beautifully weaved into God's truth for women who find themselves under the difficult task of ministering to the man who ministers to everyone else.
-Matt Carter, church planter and Pastor of Preaching and Vision at The Austin Stone Community Church, co-author with Darrin Patrick of For the City: Proclaiming and Living Out the Gospel
Few things are as challenging and exciting as planting a church. This book will help you get through the tough times and help you appreciate the blessings in church planting.
-Lora Batterson, wife of Mark Batterson, who planted and pastors National Community Church in Washington D.C.
Church planting wives, you will feel that Christine Hoover has read your journals. She is on your journey and is able to verbalize church planting skillfully and with penetrating honesty. This is a must read book. You have found the mentor you have longed for.
-Kathy Ferguson Litton, National Consultant for Ministry Wives, North American Mission Board
Across the globe the priorities of a church planting wife are the same: love the Lord, love your husband and family, love the church. Christine invites you into her life and the lives of other women as they have Christ-centered conversations about seeking to live out their privileged calling wherever God has planted them.
-Gloria Furman, church planting wife in the Middle East, author of Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home.
Too often we, as church planters’ wives, have suffered in silence as we’ve battled criticism, isolation, or discouragement in ministry. Christine not only shares the raw emotions that come with the difficulties of church planting, she gives much needed insight for flourishing in ministry for a lifetime. The Church Planting Wife will not disappoint!
-Tricia Lovejoy, wife of Shawn Lovejoy, who is the founder and pastor of Mountain Lake Church in Atlanta, GA and the founder of Churchplanters.com
Ministry is both a challenge and a blessing. The demands of responsibility can eat away the joy of changed lives. This is especially true in the heart of a church planting wife, but it doesn’t have to be. We have known Christine long before she had the job description of Church Planting Wife. In the past and present, we have seen her faith shine! In these pages she will help your faith shine as well. You are on an exciting journey; let Christine walk with you as you embrace your role as a church planting wife.
-Gregg and Kelly Matte, Pastor and wife of Houston’s First Baptist Church, Founder of Breakaway Ministries at Texas A&M, Author of I AM changes who I am.
Church planting is not an endeavor pursued in isolation. Husbands cannot succeed in ministry without their wives and vice versa. I am delighted Christine has put together this helpful resource to encourage church planting wives.
-Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research and author of Planting Missional Churches
The church planting wife--what goes on in her heart? It’s an all-encompassing spiritual and emotional pendulum swinging from fear to trust and every emotion in between. Christine’s vulnerable insights will encourage you amidst the heart-swings, offering a steady hold on peace in the God who called you. I’ve been deeply blessed by these truth-filled words after my 8 years on the planting journey.
-Ginger Vassar, wife of JR Vassar, who is founder and pastor of Apostles Church in New York City
This honest, powerful, wonderfully written book is a must read for every church planting wife. Christine gives all planting wives the gift of knowing they are not alone in the struggles and challenges they face. She also offers them the hope they need to continue on in serving God in their churches.
-Lori Wilhite, founder of Leading and Loving It and wife of Jud Wilhite, who is Senior Pastor at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas
Christine's real life approach to ministry makes her contagious. She honestly shares the ups and downs of church planting while offering encouragement that provides hope. The Church Planting Wife is a handbook for ladies who are beginning this journey as well as seasoned church planting wives.
-Brandi Wilson, wife of Pete, who is pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN. Brandi is the co-author of Leading and Loving It.
Product Details
- Title : The Church Planting Wife: Help and Hope for Her Heart
- Author: Hoover, Christine
- Publisher: Moody Publishers
- Publication Date: 2013
- ISBN: 9780802484116