Welcome back to Episode 2 of The LeadingSmart Podcast! Tim's wife, Faith shares the raw reality of 35 years of marriage while serving in ministry. From their first meeting at Bible camp to navigating four major life transitions, they reveal the struggles and victories that shaped their relationship.

 Key Topics Covered: 

• How they met and the "knight in shining armor" rejection story 

• Why their move to Granger Community Church was their hardest transition 

• The brutal reality of Faith's identity crisis during their Texas years 

• Managing introvert/extrovert dynamics in marriage and ministry 

• Parenting 4 kids in the pastor's home (ages 24-32) 

• Communication strategies for major life decisions 

• Protecting your family from ministry pressures

 Golden Nuggets: 

✓ "Say yes as often as you can" - their #1 parenting principle 

✓ Why you should never talk about your kids in sermons after age 5 

✓ How to make unified decisions when personalities clash 

✓ The importance of finding your identity outside your spouse's ministry role

 Honest Moments:

• Faith's 2-year struggle with belonging in Texas
• The "two of us against the world" feeling during denominational changes
• Why Tim reaches out for social plans now (spoiler: it's about energy management)
• The most spontaneous thing they've done in 35 years

Perfect for: • Ministry couples navigating transitions • Anyone struggling with major life changes • Parents balancing family and calling • Couples working through personality differences • Leaders considering ministry moves

 Bonus: Watch them play the "Still Newlyweds" game at the end!

Time Stamps

00:00 Facing Opposition: A New Ministry Path

00:29 Welcome to the Leading Smart Podcast

00:40 Meet Faith Stevens: The Better Half

01:02 35 Years of Marriage: A Journey Together

01:34 How Tim and Faith Met: A Love Story

02:59 Early Years: From Friendship to Marriage

05:09 Navigating Life's Challenges Together

12:26 Significant Moves and Ministry Transitions

13:19 The Hardest Move: Leaving Life Action

15:55 Adjusting to Texas: The Toughest Years

22:04 Moving Back to Chicago: A New Chapter

25:27 Communication and Unity in Marriage

30:25 Navigating Emotional Conversations

31:29 Balancing Introverted and Extroverted Personalities

37:44 Parenting While Pastoring

45:23 Challenges and Rewards in Ministry

56:55 The Newlywed Game

#MarriageInMinistry #MinistryLife #LeadershipPodcast #ChurchLeadership #MarriageAdvice #PastorsWife #MinistryTransitions #ChristianLeadership #RelationshipGoals #LeadingSmart

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