This week I’m giving away THREE copies of Lori Wilhite and Brandi Wilson‘s new book, Leading and Loving It.
Lori serves alongside her husband, Jud who is the Senior Pastor at Central Christian Church in Las Vegas. They love getting to be part of God changing Sin City into Grace City. She is the founder of Leading and Loving It. Lori and Jud have two kids, Emma and Ethan. They also have the world’s cutest bulldog, Roxy. Lori is slightly Jane Austen obsessed and should buy stock in Starbucks since Chai-tea Lattes are a necessity.
Brandi has been a pastor’s wife for 15 years. She’s married to Pete who’s the Senior Pastor at Cross Point Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Cross Point was planted in the fall of 2002 and is a multi-site church. Pete and Brandi have three boys: Jett, Gage, and Brewer. When Brandi isn’t wrangling boys she enjoys reading, hiking, social-networking, and spending time with friends.
I recently had the chance to ask Lori and Brandi a few questions about their new book:Â
Margaret: For readers who aren’t familiar with Leading and Loving It, what is the main idea?
Lori and Brandi: As pastors’ wives we get a front-row seat watching God completely transform people’s lives, and then can be so wounded when those same people turn to us and hurl words of criticism. We are surrounded by people, yet locked away in loneliness and isolation. While serving as mentors, counselors, advisors, and even cheerleaders, we attempt to find balance in our schedules and lives. We share the burdens of others while battling discouragement on our own. We each personally know first-hand the highs and lows, the incredible joys and painful sorrows of leadership. In the book, we want to tackle leadership challenges so that we can hold on to the joy of serving in ministry.
Who, specifically, would benefit from reading Leading and Loving It?
The main audience for “Leading and Loving It” is pastors’ wives and women in ministry. Whether you choose to serve God teaching 3 year-old in children’s ministry, leading a small group of High School girls, or serving Him on the mission field in Africa, our hope is that you would be both encouraged and challenged as you navigate life and ministry.
What has been the greatest encouragement in your writing experience?
We have absolutely loved hearing the feedback from ladies who have read the book and been touched in some way. We’ve heard things like: “It’s great to know someone else has felt as lonely as I am feeling” and “I found myself laughing out loud reading at the pool because you gals described my life so thoroughly.” We set out to write, for lack of a better description, a girlfriend’s guide to maintaining joy in ministry. We are thankful for the ladies who have shared the growth and changes that the book has inspired in their lives.
What do you hope will happen in the reader’s heart and mind after they finish with your book?
Serving in ministry is a great privilege. The calling of God on our lives to serve people and serve the church is incredible. Our hope is that readers will be encouraged as they navigate leadership challenges, hold tightly to the joy of ministry, and rest in the knowledge that God, knowing their weaknesses and shortcomings, has called them to this work. If He has called them, He most certainly will equip them.
To win one of the THREE COPIES of Leading and Loving It, enter a comment on the original blog post at MargaretFeinberg.com. Winners will be selected and announced on Friday.
Congratulations to the Winners: Jennifer Terry, Tricia Benton, Karina AllenÂ
What passage or verses encourages you most in leadership?
Sounds like a book that will help lots of women.
could always use encouragement while ministering. it is so easy to get lost in our own weaknesses and rely on God’s plan
correction… we forget how to rely on God’s plan
This book sounds like something great… When I’m caught in the fray and hurt I’ve learned to cope and “take the hits” by meditating on my favorite scripture Romans 8:25-39 (for this passage I especially love the Message version). One line I often say to myself is, “Grace for grace.” I’ve been given grace, so I can give it. Sometimes it’s been excruciatingly painful. Sounds like a good book!
God has been working in my heart with the verses from John 21:15-25. Jesus give Peter specific instructions, but then Peter asks about someone else’s ministry. Jesus says that it doesn’t matter to Peter what Jesus asked someone else to do. Peter must follow him. I feel strongly that I need to keep focused on what God has asked me to do and not feel as though I should be involved in everything good around me. That’s a tall order for someone who feels the need to fix everything, but it is bringing so much peace.
Looks like I need this book, been feeling overwhelmed lately with ministry work, but I know it is what God wants me to do.
I felt called to organize a women’s bible study a year ago at our church where there was no women’s ministry and a handful of us were traveling to a nearby town to attend a weekly bible study at a different church. I didn’t know what I was doing and have been Wonderstruck over the past year at how God has moved in this ministry. I’ve learned that the art of leading is complicated, yet full of excitement & anticipation as I lean on Him to lead me. This book sounds like it would be a great resource and encouragement to those who find themselves in leadership roles in the church (and don ‘t know how they got there!).
Sounds like a really great book. I hope I win.
I am a newly wed and a new pastor’s wife! My husband was just appointed to his first church in July, so we are both getting adjusted and LOVING it! However, I do think this would be a good book for me to read and learn from other pastor’s wives. 🙂
I would love to win a copy of this book. I am a pastor’s wife, although my husband has recently passed away. So now I’m the one leading the Bible studies, etc. and still greeting people in congregations. I know how you feel Lori and Brandi.
I am 23 years old and God has placed it in my heart to help the young women. I wanted to start at church because I saw a need that needed to me meet and when I tried to talk with my pastor I was turned down. I didn’t know what to do afterwards but I felt like I couldn’t help them. What do you do when your turned down to help? Well, God will open up doors of NEW OPPORTUNITES(N.O) for me. People outside the church need my help more than those inside because some of out of the church don’t know who Jesus is.
“Maintaining joy in ministry!” Now that is a great goal! I would love to read this book. Margaret, thanks for sharing about this interesting book.
Would love to read this book snd share it with my sweet pastor’s wife.
What a great thing to have a resource like this for pastors’ wives and women in ministry!! I have been a pastor’s wife for about 35 years, and often longed for some kind of direction or advice from a friendly source in those early years. Made lots of mistakes, but God proved faithful. Will be reading this book and sharing it with my fellow laborers in our women’s ministry.
I have heard some great things about this book. I’ve been a pastor’s wife for 5 years, but the first four we were in youth ministry. Last September, we planted a church, and I’m quickly learning that being a youth pastor’s wife is a whole lot different than being a church-planting wife!
II Peter 1:3-5 is most encouraging to me.
“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”
Blessings.
Oooohhh! Pick me! Pick me! Seriously, I have been wounded and seen others wounded close to me while serving. I have pulled away for a time and feel called back. I have a heart for women’s issues and want to serve with transparency to reach those who struggle with how to maintain joy and trust through the challenges of serving.
As a pastors’ wife and mom to four children, I would really love some helpful insight into this journey! :). Thanks!
Wow, would love to read this book. My husband and I were thrown into the deep end of senior ministry after being volunteer youth pastors for a few years while he also worked full time. What a leap! Two verses that stick to me these days are Ps. 63:8 “I stay close to You; Your right hand upholds me.” And 2 Cor 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need you WILL abound in EVERY good work.” We just started a church plant in a large city two years ago and I could use a shot in the arm of truth right about now. 🙂 God bless you.
I would love to win this book.
This sounds like a book I need to read. My husband and I have just moved to a new town where I have been given an opportunity to run the Worship Ministry at a church and also co-lead a Christian school. Being young and only on our 2nd year of marriage it has been overwhelming running these ministries. Praying God would bring the people in our life that would encourage us as we keep going.
I would LOVE to win a free copy of this book! I have already heard others say it has been lifechanging for them!!
I am super excited for this book!! I am a church planter’s wife and am super excited to draw from the wisdom in this book! Ladies leading for the Kingdom makes my heart leap! To God be every ounce of Glory!
As a co-leader of our church’s women’s ministry I think this would be a great resource. 🙂
I would love to win this book. My dear friend is married to a pastor and I know this would be encouraging for her….if I win, I will give it to her. Thanks for the chance!:)
I love that God is using people to minister to pastors wives. It’s really a blessing. I would love to read this book.
My husband and I have shared ministry for 27 years together. Certainly we could have not maintained our marriage, family or church without God’s calling in our lives. I believe reading this book would be a fresh reminder of His call in our lives and a resource I could take my Ladies council through. So I would love to win it!
I love Lori and Brandi and the rest of the leaders involved in L&LI! It’s so encouraging and needed in the lives of women in ministry. I’ve been in ministry with my husband for about 33yrs now. Thanks for the chance to possibly win!
I’d love to read their book. My husband is a pastor and I know I could benefit from their wisdom.
I find that I’m quoting to myself the verse “be not weary in well doing” a little too often in my ministry. This book sounds like it would help!
Just started connecting with some of the Leading and Loving It folks. Excited to read this book!
I so have been wanting this book!!! :). Some Scriptures that have helped me in life are Psalm 34, 37, 139; Jer. 29:11 and Rom. 8:28; and Matt. 6:33.
My favorite verse about leadership is Romans 12:8, If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
To know loves surpasses knowledge…….I chose to lead in and through love!!
I love the story of Nehemiah as a model of leadership. Looking forward to reading the book!
Although my husband doesn’t pastor a church I feel the loneliness and isolation these ladies speak of and one way or another will get this book. I look to Isaiah 40 for guidance with many questions and doubts, however, lately this verse speaks to my heart deeply. Psalm 71:14 14 As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.
A blessed day to everyone! Mine has been 1 Corinthians 15:58. It keeps me reminded that what I do is for the Lord and that nothing escapes His notice. Thanks for this opportunity! I’ve always been hoping to win a book from you! =D God bless all of us!
I’m encouraged by the Leading and Loving It Team. I appreciate how they communicate the truth of the challenges and also the blessings of ministry.
Thank you!
Phil 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I work with children and every time they say they can’t do something, I ask them to repeat this verse to me. They just smile and say it!
It sounds like a GREAT book! Thanks for sharing it.
I am currently in the Wonderstruck bible study and am enjoying it so much!!! I am also the Special Events Coordinator at our Church and would love to win a copy of this book as I would love to see life through the eyes of a pastors wife.
Lori and Brandi’s site: “Leading and Loving it” has changed my life and the way I approach ministry. I would love to win an extra copy of this book to pass along to a struggling leader in my life!
The verse that helps remind me of leadership is not necessarily a “leadership” verse. 1 Peter 3 tells wives to be submissive, but it goes on to say that it’s not what we say, but our behavior that will when over unsaved loved ones. It reminds me as a leader not to just say it, but show it.
*win
I would love to win and pass along this generous blessing to my Pastor’s wife. Thanks Margaret!
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
~ Romans 12:1, 2 MSG
Can’t wait to read this book!
So good to hear from a Pastor’s wife ! I’m thrilled you had time to write a book because as a Mom and as a pastor’s wife, you must have a unique viewpoint and big compassionate heart …
I think at times we all need an extra boost of seeing things from the eyes of others. My prayer is that I gain focus and sensitivity to the leadership of the Holy Spirit my our ministry and life living in Christ. Thank you for your faithfulness in helping us learn and grow.
When dealing with criticism or even negative thoughts in ministry, I have too often allowed them to take seed in my heart. The verse that helps me is 2 Cor 2:15. When I allow the thoughts to enter, I must take them captive and make them obedient to Christ. This helps deal with criticism effectively and keeps me pointed toward the Kingdom. The book is amazing and I can’t wait to read it!
And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1
As leaders, we always want to point to Christ. We need to look more like Jesus than ourselves. That is who we want imitated. We making disciples of Him.