Book Review: The Church Planting Wife by Christine Hoover

I don’t usually use the phrase “This book is a must-read…” because I think that the only “must-read” for Christians is the Bible.  Every thing else is a matter of opinion and preference.  But for church planting wives, I’m going to break my own rule and say that this book is a MUST-READ (there, I even used capital letters to show that I mean it).

In The Church Planting Wife ~ Help and Hope for Her Heart, Christine Hoover provides an honest look at what it’s like to be the wife of a church planting pastor, a life that is filled with both joys and challenges.   She openly confesses her own fears and insecurities… which sound a lot like mine.  The solution?  She continually points her readers to Christ as the source of strength, confidence and provision.

Christine also addresses the primary source of trouble for church planting wives: our own hearts. She knows the temptations and tendencies that are common to church planting, and addresses them with good counsel and scripture.

My husband planted a church in the Midwest almost 15 years ago, and we have been here ever since. This week we announced to our beloved church that we are leaving to go plant a new church in another state.  So many of the emotions I had years ago have resurfaced… excitement and worry, anticipation and trepidation.  This book came along at exactly the right time in my life.

I highly recommend this book, particularly the paper version.  I first read this on my Kindle, but soon realized that I needed to underline, highlight and reread it, so I purchased the book. I'll be going through it much more slowly the second time.

I had not previously heard of the website which apparently launched the book: Grace Covers Me.  This is another resource I will be treasuring in the weeks and months ahead. Thank you Christine Hoover for sharing your heart with us that ours might be shaped to fulfill God’s purpose for us as church planting wives.

*I was provided with an e-book for review from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review.