Connect with Jennifer Spivey

Jennifer Spivey
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

As of Tuesday April 14, I am returning to my weekly blog at https://jenniferwspivey.org and my weekly podcast here. I'll be speaking with y'all and recording my thoughts on life, leadership, ministry and transition – I'm excited to connect with you! Blogs will post on Tuesdays at 10:00am EST, and podcasts will post on Thursdays at 10:00am EST. Come along with me on the journey, friend!

  1. 2d ago

    You Don't Have to Know Everything

    You don’t know what you don’t know. To be honest? Neither do I. Welcome to Part Three of our Preparing for Greater Works series! In Part One, we talked about seeking the Lord early. In Part Two, we talked about seeking Him continually. Now, we’re talking about something that is essential if we want to continue growing and preparing for whatever God has ahead of us: Submission and teachability. Following God doesn’t always mean we understand everything He is doing. Abraham did not know how his story would end when he set out in obedience. But he knew God. There is a difference between understanding everything God is doing and trusting the One who is doing it. In this episode of the Connect Podcast, we’ll talk about: • Why submission doesn’t always require complete understanding• What Abraham can teach us about obedience and trust• How Saul exchanged God’s wisdom for his own reasoning• Why we don’t always know what is at stake• The fragrance we carry into the lives and spaces around us• Why humility means recognizing that we still have something to learn• How godly counsel and correction can help prepare us for greater responsibility• The difference between independence and maturity One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is remaining teachable. You don’t have to know everything. But you do need to know the One who does. If this episode encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need this conversation! For additional resources to help you grow in ministry and in your life with Christ, visit Connect Mentoring Network. You can download individual resources or become a member and receive access to the full resource library. Connect Mentoring Network: www.connectmentoringnetwork.org #ConnectPodcast #SubmissionAndTeachability #PreparingForGreaterWorks #ChristianPodcast #WomenInMinistry #ChristianLeadership #SpiritualGrowth

  2. Sep 24

    How Long Do You Have to Seek the Lord?

    How long should we seek the Lord? Until He comes. Welcome to Part Two of our Preparing for Greater Works series! In our first conversation, we talked about the importance of seeking the Lord early. We don’t want to wait until a crisis comes to seek Him. We want His presence to be our daily rhythm rather than our emergency response. But seeking Him early is only the beginning. In this episode of the Connect Podcast, we’re talking about why we need to seek the Lord continually. Hosea 10:12 says, “It is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” We don’t seek Him for a season and then assume we have arrived. We don’t seek Him until the crisis is over and then return to doing things in our own strength. A relationship with Christ is not a one-and-done experience. It is continual. It is daily. It is ongoing. In this episode, we’ll talk about: • Why yesterday’s encounter cannot replace today’s pursuit• What the Israelites and daily manna can teach us about dependence on God• Why we can’t simply repeat yesterday’s strategies and expect them to carry us forward• The danger of becoming spiritually independent• What it means to seek the Lord until He comes• Why fresh dependence and continued communion matter Yesterday’s encounter may have been powerful, and we should be grateful for everything God has done. But today is a new day. And we still need Him. If this episode encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need this reminder! For additional resources to help you grow in ministry and in your life with Christ, visit Connect Mentoring Network. You can download individual resources or become a member and receive access to the full resource library. Connect Mentoring Network: www.connectmentoringnetwork.org #ConnectPodcast #SeekTheLordContinually #PreparingForGreaterWorks #ChristianPodcast #WomenInMinistry #ChristianLeadership #FaithJourney

  3. Sep 17

    Seek the Lord Early - Don't Wait for a Crisis!

    What if seeking the Lord wasn’t simply our emergency response—but our daily rhythm? Welcome to the first episode in our new Preparing for Greater Works series! Over the next several weeks, we’ll explore what it means to prepare for the greater works God may have ahead of us. We’ll talk about seeking the Lord early and continually, submission and teachability, understanding the limits of the enemy and the limitless nature of God, and how God trains and prepares us for greater works. In this episode, we’re beginning with Psalm 63:1: “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You.” What does it mean to seek the Lord early? Maybe it means seeking Him early in the morning. But perhaps it also means seeking Him early in the situation—before we are overwhelmed, before the decision becomes urgent, and before the circumstances become impossible. The best time to develop a deep dependence on the Lord is before you find yourself desperately needing direction. When the crisis eventually comes, you won’t be trying to figure out where to find God. You will already be walking with Him. In this episode: • Why we shouldn’t wait for a crisis to seek God • What it means to seek the Lord early • Biblical examples of prompt obedience • Why seeking God is about knowing Him, not simply getting answers • How to make prayer your first response instead of your last resort If this episode encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might need this reminder! For additional resources to help you grow in ministry and in your life with Christ, visit Connect Mentoring Network. You can download individual resources or become a member and receive access to the full resource library. Connect Mentoring Network: www.connectmentoringnetwork.org #ConnectPodcast #SeekTheLordEarly #PreparingForGreaterWorks #ChristianPodcast #WomenInMinistry #ChristianLeadership #FaithJourney

  4. Sep 11

    Whose Expectations Are You Following?

    What does God actually expect from a pastor’s wife? If you’re a pastor’s wife, you probably don’t have to look very far to find a list of expectations. Some are healthy. Some are reasonable. And some are completely unrealistic.But how do you know the difference? In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Jennifer Spivey talks honestly about the expectations placed on pastor’s wives—and the expectations we often place on ourselves. After years of saying yes to every need, filling ministry positions, serving the church, raising three children, and eventually working full-time, Jennifer found herself exhausted and running on empty. The turning point came when she realized she had become more concerned with meeting everyone else’s expectations than with meeting the expectations of the Father. In this episode, we explore: • Why being married to a pastor does not mean you were hired when your husband was hired • The unrealistic expectation of perfection • How good qualities like dependability and a willingness to serve can become unhealthy • Why “need” does not automatically equal “assignment” • What Jesus teaches us through the story of Lazarus in John 11 • How our willingness to serve can sometimes prevent someone else from stepping into their calling • Learning to say no without guilt • The difference between saying “yes” because God asked and saying “yes” because someone asked • Why leadership sometimes means creating space for someone else to lead • How to decide early what God has actually called you to do • Learning to recognize the voice of the Father above the expectations of others If you’ve ever felt like you needed to be everything to everyone because you’re a pastor’s wife, I hope this conversation reminds you of something important: You do not have to prove your value by how much you accomplish.Not every request is a command.Not every need is an assignment.Not every opportunity is your opportunity. And not every “no” is disobedience. The goal isn’t to become the perfect pastor’s wife.The goal is to become the woman God has called you to be. CONNECT MENTORING NETWORK Connect Mentoring Network exists to support and strengthen women in ministry leadership through intentional, Spirit-led mentoring.Visit connectmentoringnetwork.org to explore our resources, mentoring opportunities, and e-course library. You can purchase individual courses or become a Connect Mentoring Network member and receive access to the full library of resources, including courses on spiritual friendship, ministry transitions, healing from betrayal, leadership, boundaries, hearing God’s voice, and more. CONNECT WITH JENNIFER Subscribe to the Connect Podcast for more conversations about faith, ministry, relationships, leadership, and navigating the seasons of life and ministry with health and purpose. #PastorsWife #PastorsWives #WomenInMinistry #MinistryLife #MinistryLeadership #HealthyMinistry #MinistryBoundaries #ChristianWomen #HearingGodsVoice #MinistryHealth #ConnectMentoringNetwork #PastorsWifeLife #ChristianLeadership

  5. Sep 3

    You Can Have Friends, BUT -

    Can a pastor’s wife have friends?Absolutely.But what happens when a friendship changes because the season changes?In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Jennifer Spivey, founder of Connect Mentoring Network, continues the conversation about friendship in ministry and explores one of the most difficult realities of relationships in ministry: sometimes a relationship can be real, meaningful, and good—and still come to an end.After decades of ministry and serving as a pastor’s wife, Jennifer shares what she has learned about recognizing different kinds of relationships, navigating ministry transitions, grieving friendships without rewriting the past, and learning to hold people with open hands.We’ll talk about:• The difference between acquaintances, casual friendships, and deeper friendships• Contextual and transactional relationships in ministry• Why transition and betrayal are not the same thing• How to recognize when a ministry season has changed• Why a church may no longer need the former pastor’s wife in the same way• How to grieve a relationship without deciding it was never real• Why we shouldn’t rewrite the past simply because the present has changed• The danger of avoiding friendship because we’re afraid of future pain• How to trust God with the people He brings into—and takes out of—our lives• What it looks like to hold friendships lightly while loving people deeplyThe truth is, some relationships will last a lifetime.Others will last for a season.And some of the most beautiful relationships God gives us may not be permanent—but that doesn’t make them any less valuable.It was real.It was good.And it ended.Those things can all be true at the same time.If you’re a pastor’s wife or a woman serving in ministry and you’re looking for biblical encouragement, practical resources, mentoring, prayer, and connection with other women who understand the journey, I’d love to invite you to explore Connect Mentoring Network.Visit www.connectmentoringnetwork.org to learn more.You can also explore our e-courses, with individual courses available to download or full access to the entire resource library through Connect Mentoring Network membership. Courses include friendship, ministry transitions, healing from betrayal, leading from your front-row seat, and more.Ministry is better when we don’t walk it alone.If this episode encouraged you, please like this video, subscribe to the channel, and share it with another woman in ministry.#ConnectPodcast #PastorsWife #WomenInMinistry #MinistryFriendship #FriendshipInMinistry #ChristianFriendship #MinistryTransitions #HealthyFriendships #WomenInLeadership #MinistryLife #ConnectMentoringNetwork #ChristianWomen #MinistryEncouragement #PastoralMinistry

  6. Aug 27

    What is the Friendship Changes?

    What happens when a friendship that once meant so much to you changes—or ends? In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Jennifer Spivey talks honestly about one of the harder lessons she has learned about friendship: hold it lightly. Some friendships last a lifetime. Others are gifts for a particular season. When a friendship ends, it can be tempting to protect ourselves by building walls and keeping people at a distance. But what if we trusted God enough to keep our hearts open? In this episode, we talk about: • Why the ending of a friendship doesn’t erase the gift of the friendship• Learning to receive relationships with open hands• The difference between healthy boundaries and emotional walls• Why self-protection can keep us from future blessing• Trusting God to be our protector• How to remain open to friendship after experiencing hurt• Why pain doesn’t have to become a reason for isolation• Finding the courage to love deeply even when we know goodbyes can hurt A. A. Milne wrote, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” Maybe instead of saying, “I’ll never let anyone get that close again,” we can say, “I’m grateful I loved deeply enough for goodbye to hurt.” If you’re a pastor’s wife or a woman serving in ministry, remember: you don’t have to navigate ministry alone. 💚 CONNECT MENTORING NETWORKConnect Mentoring Network exists to support and strengthen women in ministry leadership through intentional, Spirit-led mentoring. Learn more and explore our resources at www.connectmentoringnetwork.org. 📖 LEADING FROM THE FRONT ROWLooking for encouragement and practical help for serving faithfully without losing yourself in ministry? The Leading From the Front Row e-course is available as a stand-alone course, or you can join Connect Mentoring Network as a member and receive access to the full library of resources. Subscribe to the Connect Podcast so you don’t miss the next conversation! #ConnectPodcast #ChristianFriendship #FriendshipInMinistry #WomenInMinistry #PastorsWife #MinistryLife #ChristianWomen #HealthyFriendships #ConnectMentoring #MinistryLeadership #LeadingFromTheFrontRow

  7. Aug 20

    Can a Pastor's Wife Have Friends? Yes - and You Need Them!

    Can a pastor’s wife have friends? YES! And not only can she have friends—she needs them. In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Jennifer talks honestly about friendship for the pastor’s wife—including: • Why isolation is not the same thing as wisdom• Having friends inside and outside the church• How to maintain healthy boundaries and confidentiality• Why you don’t have to be best friends with everyone in your congregation• Managing expectations in ministry friendships• How to model healthy friendship for the women around you• What to do when friendship brings hurt or disappointment• Why your friend cannot be your Savior• The importance of running to the throne before you run to the phone• Why you were never meant to walk alone If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s okay for a pastor’s wife to have close friends, this conversation is for you. And if you’re a woman serving in ministry, I hope this episode reminds you that you can lead faithfully without living in isolation. You can have friends. And you need them. ❤️ CONNECT WITH JENNIFER Jennifer Spivey is the founder of Connect Mentoring Network, a ministry created to support and strengthen women in ministry leadership through intentional, Spirit-led mentoring, biblical resources, encouragement, and connection. Learn more about Connect Mentoring Network and explore the full library of courses and resources:www.connectmentoringnetwork.org 🎓 LEADING FROM THE FRONT ROW Want to grow in healthy, sustainable ministry leadership? Jennifer’s Leading From the Front Row e-course is available as a stand-alone course, or you can join the Connect Mentoring Network and receive access to the full library of courses and resources. You don’t have to hold the microphone to help shape the story. You can lead well from your front-row seat. 🎧 If this episode encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with another woman in ministry. You were never meant to navigate ministry or life alone. Let’s stay connected! #PastorsWife #PastorsWives #WomenInMinistry #MinistryWife #HealthyFriendships #ChristianFriendship #MinistryLeadership #WomenInLeadership #ConnectMentoringNetwork #ConnectPodcast

  8. Aug 13

    You Are Not "In Trouble". -God's correction is for your protection!

    What if God’s correction isn’t rejection—but protection?In this episode of the Connect Podcast, Jennifer Spivey, founder of Connect Mentoring Network, explores why God’s correction can actually be a sign of His love.Through the story of Habakkuk and the wisdom of Hebrews 12, we’ll look at the difference between correction and condemnation, why God is willing to interrupt us when He sees something we cannot see, and what it might look like to welcome the Holy Spirit’s correction instead of resisting it.“You have marked them for correction.” —Habakkuk 1:12What if instead of asking, “Why are You correcting me?” we learned to ask: “Lord, what are You protecting me from?”In this episode, we’ll talk about:• Why correction is a sign of relationship• How God’s correction protects us• The difference between conviction and condemnation• Why correction requires a posture of listening• What Habakkuk teaches us about trusting God when we don’t have the whole picture• How we can respond to God’s correction with surrender rather than fearGod loves us too much to leave us where we are.CONNECT MENTORING NETWORKConnect Mentoring Network exists to support and strengthen women in ministry leadership through intentional, Spirit-led mentoring.Visit Connect Mentoring Network to explore biblical resources, on-demand courses, mentoring, and practical encouragement.You can download individual resources or become a Connect Mentoring Network member and gain access to the full library of resources and the mentoring community. LINK: www.connectmentoringnetwork.orgIf this episode encouraged you, please like, subscribe, and share it with another woman who may need this reminder today!#GodsCorrection #GodsLove #ConnectPodcast #ChristianWomen #WomenInMinistry #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLeadership #BiblicalEncouragement #HolySpirit #ConnectMentoringNetwork

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As of Tuesday April 14, I am returning to my weekly blog at https://jenniferwspivey.org and my weekly podcast here. I'll be speaking with y'all and recording my thoughts on life, leadership, ministry and transition – I'm excited to connect with you! Blogs will post on Tuesdays at 10:00am EST, and podcasts will post on Thursdays at 10:00am EST. Come along with me on the journey, friend!

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