Anne Voskamp has taught me this. If you live for the applause of man, you'll get it here on earth.

But how much better to wait you get to heaven and see our Savior's smile in his open arms as he says,

well done, dear pastor's wife, you hung in there. You looked to me. You didn't let the world and Satan trip you up.

You looked to me and you made it all the way.

Welcome to the Crossway podcast, a show where we sit down with authors each week for thoughtful

interviews about the Bible, theology, church history, and the Christian life.

I'm Matt Tully, and today I'm talking with Janney Ortland.

Janie is a well-known writer, speaks at conferences around the U.S., and serves as executive

vice president at Renewal Ministries.

She's married to Ray Ortland Jr., who serves as a pastor at Emmanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee,

and she's the author of, Help, I'm Married to My Pastor, Encouragement for Ministry Wives and Those Who Love Them,

from Crossway. Today, Janie and I discuss the joys and challenges of being a pastor's wife.

She reflects on what it's been like to be married to a pastor

and immersed in full-time ministry for nearly five decades,

shares advice related to how a ministry wife should respond

to criticism of her husband,

and offers encouragement for the woman's struggling

with unrealistic expectations

and a lack of close friendships within the church.

Let's get started.

Well, Janie, thank you so much for joining me today on the Crossway podcast.

Oh, Matt, thanks for the invitation. I'm thoroughly delighted to be with you.

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