counselling

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I have been reading with interest the comments about pastors' wives.  
I have been a pastor since 1973 and have served the Lord in two 
wonderful districts and in both of these districts, the practice is 
that a pastor's wife stands with him when they are ordained together 
into the ministry.  I have always found my wife essential to my 
ministry especially in dealing with the ladies of the church.  Our 
practice has always been that when I counsel ladies, my wife is 
always close by and she knows she has the right to enter the 
counselling room at any time without knocking. This is not that she 
would interfere with the counselling process but rather that she does 
this to be able to counter any gossipping or rumour spreading that 
would tend to destroy the reputation of both the pastor and the lady 
involved.  Now, the church is aware of this practice and are aware 
why it is necessary.  Furthermore, my wife always knows when I 
counsel ladies even if she doesn't always know what was discussed. I 
always ask ladies I counsel if they would mind if I invited my wife 
to sit in - and most of the time ladies welcome her perspective. I 
have also found that there are some subjects I refuse to discuss with 
ladies without my wife being there.

Hope these practical thoughts help the discussion,

Pastor JD Ward