Usually, our posts at The Law Offices of Kurt M. Young, LLC focus on Ohio workers’ compensation, workplace safety, or something happening in our community.

But National Pastor’s Spouse Day gives Kurt an opportunity to write about a role he knows personally.  He is one. 

Kurt is the husband of Rev. Cheri Holdridge , a United Methodist minister whose ministry has included service at Christ Church United Methodist Church in Findlay, Central United Methodist Church in Toledo, and The Village Church in Toledo, a congregation affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.

They were married this week and being married to a minister has taught him a few things. First, there really isn't such a thing as a completely predictable weekend.  Pastors are there for people during some of the most important moments of their lives. They celebrate baptisms, confirmations, marriages, and new beginnings. They also sit beside families in hospitals, walk with them through illness and loss, officiate funerals, counsel people through difficult times, and answer the phone when somebody needs help.

Much of that work happens when everyone else has gone home for the day.  And somewhere in the background is often a spouse and family learning that dinner plans can change, days off aren't always days off, and sometimes the answer to "What time will you be home?" is simply, "We'll see."

Of course, a pastor's spouse isn't an assistant pastor simply because of whom they married. They have their own careers, responsibilities, interests, and lives. In Kurt's case, his day job of representing Ohio's injured workers has kept him plenty busy for more than three decades.

But being married to Cheri has also given him a front-row seat to the dedication required of clergy and their families. Kurt has been what a 21st Century Pastor’s spouse has to be.  He helped found the tech teams at Christ Church, Central and the Village, using a shoestring budget to bring those churches into the 20th and 21st Centuries in Worship.

Kurt has been general counsel for all three of them, helping handle all manner of legal issues.  He has also served as a member of the Administrative Board or Leadership Team of all of them.  He has served as the Marketing Director of all of them.  He has served on the worship team of all of them.  He has had the privilege of working as a youth leader and a spiritual growth study group leader.  

And yes he’s had the fun of playing for their softball and volleyball teams, riding in their cycling group, and help run fantasy football leagues. 

And then there are the exciting opportunities to act like a goofy or serious supporter of the church and it’s members.  Kurt has had the chance to wear bunny ears on the floor of the United Church of Christ’s general synod, addressed the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church about the church’s ministries, run booths at community events, handing out candy at Toledo’s First Zombie Crawl, and as they were all welcoming and affirming churches march in the Toledo Pride Parade.   

Almost thirty years of being Cheri’s spouse has shown him how much work happens outside of Sunday morning, and how much pastors carry home with them because caring for people doesn't always fit neatly into office hours.

There are also plenty of wonderful moments: becoming part of different church families, watching people come together to help a neighbor, seeing communities respond when someone is struggling, standing up for people who can’t stand up for themselves, and meeting some pretty remarkable people along the way.

Those experiences have something in common with the work we do at The Law Offices of Kurt M. Young, LLC. When people are injured, frightened, or facing uncertainty, having someone willing to stand beside them matters.

So, on National Pastor’s Spouse Day Sunday, September 6th , we recognize all the husbands and wives who share in the unusual rhythms, unexpected interruptions, joys, challenges, and privileges that come with loving someone called to ministry.

Kurt can speak from experience:  It's not always an ordinary life, but it certainly isn't a boring one.

And to Cheri, thank you for your years of ministry, your commitment to the people and communities you've served, and for occasionally understanding when a workers' compensation hearing creates its own change of plans.

Happy National Pastor’s Spouse Day from The Law Offices of Kurt M. Young, LLC!

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