An Interview With Laurel Johnson
By Mary Pollestad
By Mary Pollestad
This issue’s interview is going to be with Laurel Johnson who lives Northwest of Cambridge, MN. This interview is somewhat different from the others in that we will be talking to Laurel about insights and wisdom that she has received over the years in the ministry. Her husband is retired or maybe semi retired we might say as he serves wherever the Lord may lead him to fill the pulpit as needed. Wendell and Laurel have 4 grown sons and 1 grown daughter. Her insight comes from the years serving the Dalton Parish of 4 churches, Stacy, MN area of two churches and Spicer, MN area. When I asked Laurel what her ministry was in the church she said, “Well, that would be music.” “Also, Bible Studies with the ladies, and just being a part of what and who they are.” “Planning, praying, rejoicing and sometimes a little crying,” she said. I asked Laurel if she was going to give any advise to a pastor’s wife going into the ministry after seminary or to a pastor’s wife who is leaving a church that she and her husband have served for 8-12 years what would she advise? “Well,” she said as she thought. “Ease into things very gently and get a whole overview of the people.” “Get to know them all” she suggested. “Let’s see, always give compliments where compliments are due and encourage. “Watch out not to be too overbearing” she warned. “Most of all have a servant heart,” she said. The next question I asked Laurel was, “How does a pastor’s wife use the talents that God has given her if no one in the church recognizes them and asks her to use them?” “Well,” she said, “first of all, pray that God would open up someone’s heart to see the blessed gift that God has given you.” “Then too,” she said. “If you have become close to someone in the church you might say to them, ‘if there is an opportunity or need in this or that area I would be happy to help.’” I asked Laurel what she would suggest for all of us pastor’s wives to remember about the ministry with our husbands. “Well, you know it is a TEAM ministry,” She said. “Explain that,” I said to her. “It is supporting your husband 100%.” “Supporting what he is doing.” “If he asks you to help say yes.” “If you have young children and can’t go on visitations you can still be praying for him and give him Freedom in the Lord.” I asked her to explain Freedom in the Lord. “Well,” she said. “It is allowing him to do what the Lord wants him to do even if sometimes he makes a mistake.” “Mary, it is not being in charge of but being supportive of.” She reminded me that having a teachable spirit and a lot of flexibility is something that we as pastor’s wives should keep in mind all the time. “What about leaving a congregation? I asked. “Well there are a lot of positives when you leave a congregation,” she said. “You have the love and kindness of people that just overwhelms you.” “You have Bible Studies and prayer together and good memories and forever friends.” If Laurel was going to give all of us things to remember as pastor’s wives she would say this. “Remember that first you are the wife to your husband and second the mother of your children.” “Spend time with your husband and have a little fun.” She laughed. “Because things get too serious sometimes.” One thing that Laurel warned us all about is not to get bitter. If we get bitter, we crawl within ourselves to protect ourselves from getting hurt and then we won’t fulfill the radiant person that God wants us to be. Hopefully some of this you can take for your life as you serve as a TEAM with your husband in the ministry.
