The lights come on, the band starts, and everything looks smooth. Behind that calm is a life lived on call. We sit down with Christy to unpack the reality of being married to a pastor and what it means to carry the church when the service ends and the real work begins. From last-minute crises to midnight texts, from soundboard glitches to bathroom cleanups, she walks us through the invisible tasks that keep a community moving.

Christy opens up about sharing her spouse with a 24/7 calling and how Army chaplaincy bleeds into local ministry. She’s candid about the early sting of interruptions, the weight of parenting with an always-on schedule, and the mindset shift that turned “lost evenings” into “answered callings.” We talk boundaries that bend but don’t break, practical ways to protect mental health, and why loving people well is both the hardest and holiest part of church life.

What makes this story different is how calling meets competency. Christy’s leadership, administration, and business skills power the parts of church that rarely get a spotlight: coordination, finance, teams, and flow. She laughs about sprinting from front row to sound booth and back again, but the point is serious—small churches thrive when gifted people do humble work. Together, she and Buddy cover each other’s weak spots, proving that marriage can be a ministry partnership without losing the marriage in the process.

If you’ve ever wondered what really holds a congregation together, this conversation is your map. We dig into expectations versus reality for a pastor’s wife, the necessity of mentors, the art of not reacting, and the fine line between God, family, and church when needs collide. You’ll hear why volunteers are the lifeblood of growth, how to build systems that protect energy, and where to find joy when time is scarce but purpose is strong.

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*** This podcast was originally posted on The Way Community Church Podcast, I thought you might enjoy it, so I'm sharing it here.

Check out that podcast here:

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2556804/episodes/18607212

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