By John M. De Marco

LAKELAND — On an increasing basis in the Florida Conference both partners in a ministry family are sensing a call to the pulpit. The result seems to be twice as much blessing and fruit.

Four conference clergy couples interviewed by the Florida Conference Edition of the United Methodist Review discussed the joys and challenges of serving in full-time ministry together, whether at different churches or the same one.

Their observations and experiences have much to teach those couples currently wrestling with whether Rev. His and Rev. Her is the best fit for their families.

“It might not be easy sometimes, but love God and love each other and make time to play together,” encourages the Rev. Catherine Price, who, along with her husband Steve, co-pastors Harvest Mission United Methodist Church in Bradenton.

When Steve finished seminary in 1997 only one other clergy couple was currently under appointment in the Florida Conference. The Prices had the unique opportunity of planting a church together, a project now in its seventh year. Working as a team enabled them to withstand the emotional roller coasters that are integral to the planting process, Catherine said.

“In the beginning it seemed when I was down Steve was up, and when Steve was down I was up,” she says. “That was very helpful. There was a lot on our plate at one time.”

The Revs. Jim and Beth Fogle-Miller are serving their second stint as co-pastors of a church, appointed since June 2000 to St. John’s United Methodist Church in Winter Haven.

“One of the key joys is leading worship together,” Beth says. “…It’s also nice to have just one set of church member names and circumstances to learn and nice not to have to decide which church our daughter will attend.”

Allen and Sue-Haupert Johnson are currently in the fifth year of their respective appointments. Allen serves Harvester United Methodist Church, while Sue is the pastor of Hillsborough United Methodist Church, both in the Tampa District.

Allen says among the key joys of their ministry marriage is the fact he and Sue each can relate to what is happening at their churches, which “seem to be on some kind of strange parallel,” he notes.

“Also, having a mate whose spiritual life, formation and practice are consistent with your own [is quite valuable],” he adds.

Paul Massingill is in his third year serving Rader Memorial United Methodist Church in Miami. His wife, Amber, is on family leave with their infant son Gabe, having served as pastor of Miami’s St. Paul’s United Methodist Church for almost two years.

The couple says their rewards have included sharing a calling to ministry and being used by God together; mutual understanding of the pressures and struggles of ministry; and the ability to encourage, support and challenge one another, both as spouses and colleagues.

Challenges also abound, and for the Prices, the biggest challenge early on was helping the conference discern they each had not just the desire, but the calling, to serve together in a church. The Fogle-Millers say key challenges have included helping their churches realize at times they need to take vacations and days off together.

“The challenges involve mainly our time,” Allen Johnson says. “Our house has two administrative meetings per month, two trustees, etc. And having two churches and a 2-year-old child under one roof can be too much. I believe my call as a husband and father is no less or no greater than my call to ministry in the church. The two must compliment the other if I am to continue ‘growing in Christ-likeness.’ ”

The Massingills say it has been difficult not being able to worship together when serving different churches and being a part of two different communities of faith. Finding other young couples with whom to develop friendships has also been a stretch.

“God continues to teach us about Sabbath and self-care, and about becoming who God calls/desires us to be rather than trying to please people,” Paul said.

Most of the couples interviewed felt there was not any real ongoing sense of “competition” between the two pastors’ ministries. “We are all about ‘we and Harvest,’ ” Catherine Price says.