What Pastors Shouldn't Tell Their Wives

An excellent post from Dr. R. Scott Clark of Westminster Seminary, California, on why it is important for pastors not to share with their wives the private matters he is entrusted with.. While the lessons of this blog post are most obviously applicable to pastors and their wives and families, the principles here would apply to any church officer who is obligated to keep information confidential from members of the congregation, and not just their wives and families. As Clark reminds us, "It's a matter of integrity."

Writing as an elder's wife, I can say that it is difficult to know that there is a part of my husband's life that must be kept private from me, and yet I understand that this is necessary for the good of the church--and for my own good. He is the one who has been called to the task of leadership in the church, and not me. I asked him once if it was difficult for him, having to remain silent on things that probably at times are troubling and stressful. He explained that he was able to share these things with the other men with whom he served, so that he wasn't carrying them alone. It is a wise way to understand this responsibility.

Those who have ever learned something disappointing about another person understand that it is much easier to serve others in the church when we don't know the details of their "issues." Also, we can't be guilty of gossiping about and slandering others if private matters are kept private. In this context, ignorance is bliss. Much wisdom here from Dr. Clark.