PK Perspective: Life from the Pew

As the oldest child and son of a long-time pastor, I can personally testify to the interesting life led by "P.K.s" (the term that has seemed to become popular for "pastor's kids.") Obviously, there are dozens of differences between the everyday ins and outs of pastor's children and other children, most of which are positive results. However, there are many things about being a P.K. that go unseen by much of the church congregation.

Psychologically, many pastors' children place a tremendous amount of pressure upon themselves in areas of school accomplishments, work, college endeavors, future careers and even their relationships with friends and peers. Every Sunday morning, and sometimes evening, they sit under an hour and a half sermon, one which their father was given by God Himself to deliver to the people of his flock; people whom he disciples throughout the week, regularly interceding on their behalf through prayer. This is certainly not the "average dad" job. It is seen by many as a "higher calling", one which subsequently causes the children of ministers' to feel as if they must meet some type of higher standard, academically, morally, spiritually, etc., just as their father has. As a result, a high majority of P.K.'s experience unnecessary amounts of self-induced pressure and stress.

Similarly, whether consciously or unintentionally, congregation members of many churches view P.K.s as higher up on the "spiritual ladder" than other kids of the church. This contributes to the idea that PKs are somehow better than other children, which is utterly false. Romans 3:23 says, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (New International Version, emphasis added.) The result is added pressure placed on the shoulders of the pastors' children.