All happy families resemble each other; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
Leo Tolstoy

A number of ministry families can identify with the pastor's teenage son who frequently wears a t-shirt imprinted, Property of First Church.

"It's the only way I can express the way I feel," he says.

Yes, we must admit that for all the advantages of raising a family in a ministry home, there are also a number of difficulties. When asked about the disadvantages of raising a family in a minister's home, those surveyed offered wide-ranging responses:

"The telephone rings all the time, interrupting our family time."

"My husband is never able to sit with us in worship."

"The uncertainty of your tenure at a church."

"There's exposure to a spiritual atmosphere, but there can also be overexposure to failures of Christians."

"We see the warts of everyone. Everyone sees ours. I strongly identify with the problems of being so close to God's work and close to sin as well."

"Always having to 'be there' — not able ...