What does it mean to give grace to one another?
I’ve heard that phrase a thousand times but, for some reason, this particular time stuck with me for several days.
Resources for Planter Wives
Creating Connections Beyond Sunday Morning
Relationships are critical for leaders. Our culture is crying out for authenticity, community and transparency. As …
3 Ways pastors’ wives can set healthy expectations
There are so many labels we put on ourselves. It’s impossible not to. When you meet …
3 Ways pastors’ wives can set healthy expectations Read More »
This will be our last we post on the site “formerly known as Flourish.” Thank you, …
Transition for the Flourish blog
Some of you may know I have a new role at NAMB. I am no longer …
The Marvel of Christmas and motherhood
Regardless of how many times I read the Christmas story, I am struck by how the …
It was a quiet night in my house; my toddler was sleeping, my teenager was busy …
Must-have Christian books for your child
As mothers, we can use books to have intentional conversations with our kids about biblical topics …
What we got right and where we want a do-over: A Flourish podcast episode
In this podcast, Kathy Ferguson Litton and Susie Hawkins chat about parenting. As seasoned moms with …
What we got right and where we want a do-over: A Flourish podcast episode Read More »
Lessons learned in Indianapolis
The gospel is immeasurably powerful. Scripture is sharper than any two-edged sword; It glorifies the power …
Engaging lostness: Lessons learned in San Francisco
Ministry in San Francisco has been better and harder than I expected. Better because it’s not …
Engaging lostness: Lessons learned in San Francisco Read More »
Diagnosing lostness: 4 Potential causes
This article first appeared in Annie Armstrong Easter Offering material, “Lostness in North America: A Guide …
Living on mission in the Bible Belt
It is interesting how the enemy can use ministry to keep Christians away from our mission, …
What it means to engage lostness
Today, we will launch a short but much-needed conversation. It is a conversation about the need …
When ministry wives become ministry mamas
In the last few years, I have had the great privilege of discipling a few younger …
“Patience can persuade a prince and soft speech can break bones” (Proverbs 25:15). “Lord, give me …
When you wonder if God really sees you
We know that God is sovereign, right? We teach that truth to our people. We talk …
When an introvert marries an extrovert
This opening line grabbed me, “Sometimes I think that introverts and extroverts are from different planets, …
Why Down Syndrome awareness is important
When Jude was given a probable diagnosis of Down Syndrome about half-way through Nicole’s pregnancy, we …
Helping women heal from deep and painful secrets
Not too long ago, I was sitting at my dinner table across from a young woman …
Helping women heal from deep and painful secrets Read More »
Crisis care: Dispensing faith, hope and love
Our firstborn, Brett, had just arrived in our arms and in our hearts. We were 22 …
How to transition your family to a new city: an episode from the Flourish podcast
In this podcast, Kathy Ferguson Litton discusses with Lindsay Allen the surprises and challenges of obeying …
How to transition your family to a new city: an episode from the Flourish podcast Read More »
One son’s experience of being a pastor’s kid
I have been a pastor’s kid since I was two, so pretty much my entire living …
Three phrases every couple should say daily
I still remember my wedding day like it was yesterday. It was January 2, 2010, in …
The comfort of God in our darkest hour
Recently, my husband was invited to contribute to a LifeWay resource called Pray Like This: Living the …
Seven areas in ministry life that require flexibility
Recently, a church planter’s wife asked me for advice on her situation. I didn’t really premeditate …
Seven areas in ministry life that require flexibility Read More »
Three unique challenges of being a church planter’s wife
In 2008, my husband and I prepared to move our little family away from the only …
Three unique challenges of being a church planter’s wife Read More »
Raising pastors’ kids: An episode from the Flourish podcast
Pastor’s kids can have a complicated relationship with the church. Today, ministry wives Kathy Ferguson Litton …
Raising pastors’ kids: An episode from the Flourish podcast Read More »
When you face a season of fruitlessness
One of the beautiful realities of having a relationship with Jesus Christ is how He pursues …
When you are tired of caring for the ones you love
“I’m tired of caring for Miles.” I actually spoke those words out loud in our small …
When you are tired of caring for the ones you love Read More »
If Christian women talked about race
I’m going to be brutally honest here. Christian women don’t talk about race as often as …
The balance between being tough and tender
Some say ignorance is bliss, but when it comes to understanding our temperament as ministry wives, …
Teachability: An absolute necessity for effective leadership
There is a noticeable common thread in most successful people—they are teachable. And correspondingly the opposite …
Teachability: An absolute necessity for effective leadership Read More »
Self-Awareness: Why we need it and how to grow it
“Know yourself. Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” — Ann …
Self-Awareness: Why we need it and how to grow it Read More »
Resiliency: What to remember when encountering setbacks
I put myself out there, and I was rejected. This morning was not fun as I …
Resiliency: What to remember when encountering setbacks Read More »
Adaptability: a necessity for pastors’ wives
Are you, or have you ever been, a youth minister’s wife? I have. What about a …
What we need to embrace about character development
Recently, we asked women this question, “What qualities and characteristics should healthy and effective ministry wives …
What we need to embrace about character development Read More »
Why spiritual leaders should cultivate their spiritual vitality
Recently, we asked women this question, “What qualities and characteristics should healthy and effective ministry wives …
Why spiritual leaders should cultivate their spiritual vitality Read More »
When white supremacists come to town
I live in Charlottesville, Virginia. You may have heard of it. You may have seen my …
The case for physical intimacy
Let’s talk about intimacy. No, I don’t just mean spiritual intimacy or even recreational intimacy for …
Five actions to take when tragedy strikes your church
My church body is currently in the midst of one of the greatest tragedies I’ve ever …
Five actions to take when tragedy strikes your church Read More »
Messy, beautiful friendship: An episode from the Flourish podcast
Based on her recently released book, Messy, Beautiful Friendship, Christine Hoover unpacks realities about friendships that …
Messy, beautiful friendship: An episode from the Flourish podcast Read More »
The role of emotional honesty as a leader
“I’m doubting God’s love.” I looked her straight in the eyes as I said it. Someone …
How to cultivate a desire for God’s Word: An interview with Christine Hoover
We all know it’s best to be in the Bible regularly, but … life. We love …
How to cultivate a desire for God’s Word: An interview with Christine Hoover Read More »
Hope for when you hit the wall
We are posting a personal letter written to planter’s wives in one of NAMB’s Send Cities. …
Just because God’s timing is perfect does not mean life is free of difficulties. My husband’s …
A ministry wife often hesitates to call herself a leader. We shy away from the “leader” …
How to avoid becoming the plastic pastor’s wife
I had only been married and in ministry for four weeks when our senior pastor told …
4 Questions to ask when setting boundaries
A little before midnight, there was a knock at our door. An officer apologized for waking …
Three actions to take when others disappoint you
The phrase, “Don’t let the disappointment in a few keep you from loving the many,” comes …
Three actions to take when others disappoint you Read More »
“If only our church had a full-time children’s minister …” “If only our women’s ministry could …
About Kay Warren’s book, Sacred Privilege: Your Life and Ministry as a Pastor’s Wife
This morning I will be introducing Kay Warren as she speaks to hundreds of ministry wives …
About Kay Warren’s book, Sacred Privilege: Your Life and Ministry as a Pastor’s Wife Read More »
5 Practical ways to enlist help
My friend has six kids who are each involved in multiple activities. Recently, I was trying …
Four keys to healthy interpersonal communications
Every relationship in life is built on a foundation that cannot be ignored. This foundation affects …
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The Danger of being raised in the pew
My husband and I are partners in ministry. We are both called to full-time ministry, and …
Two telling truths about anxiety
The internet is watching us. We are increasingly becoming aware that the internet knows us too …
Five ways to help your child accept the sacrifices of ministry
When our family moved from Texas to the Pacific Northwest 10 years ago to be church …
Five ways to help your child accept the sacrifices of ministry Read More »
The secret to joy-filled obedience
My kids love to make chocolate milk. When they pour chocolate syrup in the milk, the …
Three ways weakness changes us
When my mother died, I held on to the worn, dingy safety belt that adorned her …
Perspective for the under-appreciated mom
C.S. Lewis wrote The Screwtape Letters in February 1942. He penned a series of fictitious letters …
Elisabeth Elliot once said, “It takes guts to be a mom.” (I am told that she …
The Flourish blog exists to serve and support you as you minister to your church, family, …
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; but jealousy is like cancer in the bones. …
Four actions that cultivate emotional health
Until a few months ago, emotional health sounded like hogwash to me, like the luxurious self-reflection …
Friendship and the pastor’s wife: Help others have a healthy perspective
I was standing at the door after church, talking with folks, when a woman who’d been …
Friendship and the pastor’s wife: Help others have a healthy perspective Read More »
The only way to win at the comparison game
Why do we torment ourselves by playing the comparison game? It’s part of human nature—evaluating the …
What to do when you get unfriended
We were friends. Good friends. Our daughters played together and enjoyed sleepovers. We laughed at the …
Friendship and the pastor’s wife: A Healthy perspective
My husband and I have been in full-time vocational ministry since the day we were married. …
Friendship and the pastor’s wife: A Healthy perspective Read More »
Sitting in my inbox was an email from the Loft with a subject line that read: …
Ten thoughts on fighting for a good marriage
I do. It’s something I keep before me. I’m not going to slack off. I can’t. …
When you are jealous of other churches
It happens when I’m driving down the road and pass “that” church. It happens after a …
I had noticed her looking at him, laughing a little too loud, practically swooning over the …
Reflecting Christ in a tense political climate
My heart has been incredibly heavy over the state of our nation. I have friends and …
My husband and I recently planted a new church in a transitional part of the city …
Five warning signs that show my husband needs rest
Rest says, “I can’t, but God can.” Rest is a declaration that God is in control …
Five warning signs that show my husband needs rest Read More »
Leading the hardest person I will ever lead
The face in the mirror is the person hardest for me to lead. Yet I have …
Our choices during discouraging ministry seasons
I didn’t grow up dreaming of being in ministry. Yet looking back I can see how …
Our choices during discouraging ministry seasons Read More »
When we’re tempted to take ministry failures personally
My kids are going through a stage in which they often start a conversation with their …
When we’re tempted to take ministry failures personally Read More »
Learning to embrace each season’s call
This week’s Flourish post is brought to you by the Roberson family—Week of Prayer missionaries. Funding …
When you pray, “Yes, Lord” to the unknown
My husband, Kelly, and I lived in Granbury, Texas, and life was great. We had four …