What's It Like To Raise a 'Pastor's Kid'?
Jeff and Beth's Approach: "It's been our goal to raise normal, Christian kids ... not 'Pastors' kids.' We've tried to take the stereotypical 'PK' pressure off our kids. It's not always easy as our life is often lived in a 'fishbowl.'"
- Jeff
"We've tried to help our kids see that knowing Jesus and pleasing the Lord is more important than any expectations anyone has of them as PK's. We've known a lot of pastors' kids that rebel and they end up being angry with God and hating church. We've tried to help our kids see that serving the Lord is fun and a big privilege. God didn't just call mom and dad; He's called our whole family. As a family we have to make sacrifices sometimes, but God is faithful and He's blessed us with some amazing perks too - the kids see that."
- Beth
"For a lot of years, the kids had to attend two or three services on the weekend with us and surprisingly they rarely complain about attending church - in fact, sometimes when we are off for a weekend, they still attend. That's huge! I think they've seen that it's not about 'church' - it's about helping people connect with God through worship and the Word and it's fun to be a part of something that's making a difference."
- Jeff
"We haven't been perfect parents and our kids have not been perfect ... but we're happy with the way they are turning out and we're really thankful for God's mercy and grace!
- Beth
What's It Like to Be a 'Pastor's Kid'?
Meghan Jones - 19 - Sophomore at Cornerstone University
Annie Jones - 17 years old - Senior at Kalamazoo Christian High School
Luke Jones - 15 - Sophomore at Kalamazoo Christian High School
Eric Jones - 13 - 8th grader at Kalamazoo Christian Middle School
The Gazette Reporter Asked The Kids:
1) Do you feel that there is more pressure on you to "be good" or act a certain way because of who your parents are?
MEGHAN: At times I feel pressure. But I think it's a good pressure. I've never felt like I have to be perfect, because everyone makes mistakes, and that's why God's grace is an amazing thing. But I do respect my parents and what God has called them to do, so in that way the pressure I've felt is just to honor them and the Lord.
ANNIE: Yes. My parents never put any pressure on us to act "good." But being in the position that we are in, it sometimes feels like we live in a fish bowl, and we know that people are watching our every move. Sometimes it feels like people expect us to be perfect little Christian angels, when in reality we are normal kids who are trying to figure out what we believe in on our own. A lot of people know who we are just by association of who are parents are. That puts us in a very powerful position that is often kind of scary because we are aware that in any situation that we are in - whether it's going to Meijers or the movies - there could be someone there who knows us and is observing our behavior.
LUKE: There isn't too much pressure. Sure, some people expect me to be "good" all the time and if I do something that would be questionable for a pastor's kid they might say something. But I need to be respectful of my parents and their job. Because they hold a religious status I feel more pressure to do "good" all the time.
ERIC: Sometimes I feel pressured to be a good kid and not make mistakes, even though a lot of people respect the fact that we are all sinners and I cannot be perfect. Since my parents are pastors, I understand that I will be held to a higher status then most teenagers but I try my best to stay on the straight and narrow.
**I'll post more in my next blog.
Beth
