The Life of Preachers' Kids
I started thinking about this today after my boys showed signs of being worn out from the Fourth of July activities at church this past week. Our two little PKs (Preacher’s Kids) have always had to spend many hours at churches. Because of the long hours of waiting at church while I prepare for, direct or clean up after a rehearsal, worship service or special program, they also get a little more freedom than most children to wander around the church buildings. They have learned some great secrets unknown to most children: secret hiding places, candy storage areas, closets full of special equipment, locked and mysterious rooms, etc.
When I was a child, church members used to comment on how much trouble PKs would get into and how little the parents would do to keep an eye on them or discipline them. My father, a deacon, used to reply that the only reason Preacher’s Kids got into so much trouble is because they hung out with the Deacons’ Kids. My little PKs have also learned that they sometimes get treated slightly different than other children as most of the church members are keeping an eye on them. This can sometimes be beneficial.
Recently one of the “grandmotherly” woman of the church asked Wendy if she could give the boys some money to celebrate the end of the school year. Wendy had no idea that she planned to give them each $20. They had not personally experienced anything like this before and promptly started showing the money to all of their friends. We had to explain to them that it is not something you show off to your friends and most of them would never be given a special gift like that from a church member.
It is one of the perks of being a PK. They have actually received many such gifts. One of the secretaries in Texas used to give them jelly beans all the time. The church librarian in Florida used to give them Burger King and McDonald’s gift cards. Almost all of the boys’ clothes are hand-me-downs from neighbors, their cousins or church members. Zachary thinks it is great to get to wear clothes that used to belong to one of his friends. In 2004 when hurricanes Francis and Jeanne damaged our home in Florida to the point we had to live in a FEMA-type camp trailer for a few months, we received anonymous gifts of toys and Wal-Mart gift cards for the boys. God has not only provided for all of our needs, He also has blessed us immensely by providing so many people to love and watch out for our boys.
We strive hard to make church a fun place for our children. They actually are disappointed when I am on vacation and they do not get to go to our church. They never volunteered to be PKs, so we do not want them to grow up hating church just because they spent many more hours there than most children. God clearly teaches that our families are to be a priority. Even Jesus took much needed time away from His ministry to spend with His Father.
Take time this week to thank your pastor's children in some little way. Let them know that you appreciate what they go through so that their father can serve God in your local church.
When I was a child, church members used to comment on how much trouble PKs would get into and how little the parents would do to keep an eye on them or discipline them. My father, a deacon, used to reply that the only reason Preacher’s Kids got into so much trouble is because they hung out with the Deacons’ Kids. My little PKs have also learned that they sometimes get treated slightly different than other children as most of the church members are keeping an eye on them. This can sometimes be beneficial.
Recently one of the “grandmotherly” woman of the church asked Wendy if she could give the boys some money to celebrate the end of the school year. Wendy had no idea that she planned to give them each $20. They had not personally experienced anything like this before and promptly started showing the money to all of their friends. We had to explain to them that it is not something you show off to your friends and most of them would never be given a special gift like that from a church member.
It is one of the perks of being a PK. They have actually received many such gifts. One of the secretaries in Texas used to give them jelly beans all the time. The church librarian in Florida used to give them Burger King and McDonald’s gift cards. Almost all of the boys’ clothes are hand-me-downs from neighbors, their cousins or church members. Zachary thinks it is great to get to wear clothes that used to belong to one of his friends. In 2004 when hurricanes Francis and Jeanne damaged our home in Florida to the point we had to live in a FEMA-type camp trailer for a few months, we received anonymous gifts of toys and Wal-Mart gift cards for the boys. God has not only provided for all of our needs, He also has blessed us immensely by providing so many people to love and watch out for our boys.
We strive hard to make church a fun place for our children. They actually are disappointed when I am on vacation and they do not get to go to our church. They never volunteered to be PKs, so we do not want them to grow up hating church just because they spent many more hours there than most children. God clearly teaches that our families are to be a priority. Even Jesus took much needed time away from His ministry to spend with His Father.
Take time this week to thank your pastor's children in some little way. Let them know that you appreciate what they go through so that their father can serve God in your local church.
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