As pastors’ wives, we’re acquainted with relational tension: Someone you’ve invested in and grown to love leaves the church. Someone you thought you could trust suddenly speaks harshly about you behind your back, and now that trust is broken. Someone you’re called to honor is critical of your husband, and now you feel angry. Someone wants to spend time with you, which is wonderful, but you aren’t sure whether to invest in this relationship because time is limited and there are so many people and needs in front of you. Amid all these scenarios, one thing is true of us all: we desire true friendship.
In this episode of Front Row Seat, Kristen Wetherell and Kari Olson talk with Christine Hoover about how to cultivate deep and meaningful friendships as a pastor’s wife. They discuss what friendship really means, the hope we have in Jesus as our truest friend, and practical ways to pursue friendships without idealizing or idolizing people.
If you’re a pastor’s wife in a season of loneliness or change or you desire to cultivate deeper relationships with women around you, may this conversation be an encouragement to you.
Episode time stamps:
- Introduction to Christine Hoover (00:00)
- How do we define friendship? (4:06)
- Different levels of friendship (7:24)
- Mutuality in friendship as a pastor’s wife (9:11)
- What to look for as we pursue friendships (11:30)
- Stewarding abundance in our lives (14:38)
- How to be authentic without sharing too much (18:06)
- For the pastor’s wife whose trust has been broken in a friendship (22:48)
- What can we learn from broken relationships? (25:47)
- Loneliness versus isolation—what’s the difference? (29:24)
- Opportunity for a friendship with God (30:40)
- Final thoughts from Kristen and Kari (33:39)
Visit the Front Row Seat series page to watch more episodes of Front Row Seat and download a free reflection guide.
Christine Hoover is a microevent speaker at TGC’s 2023 National Conference, “Hope in the Wilderness,” September 25–27, in Indianapolis. You can browse the complete list of topics and speakers. Register soon!