Other "Thinking Drafts" and writing by Keith Drury -- http://www.indwes.edu/tuesday .

 Are You Taking Your 'Wife' for Granted?

Have you ever noticed a male pastor get so busy he ignores his wife? He has meetings to attend, people to meet, and programs to start -- so much to do; so little time. He just puts his wife on the back burner. He hardly notices how little time he gives her He gives her little attention and less praise. The greater her patience and understanding, the more he ignores her. She is being 'taken for granted.'

Soon she will start treating herself as she is being treated. She is being ignored; she will ignore herself . Her self-esteem will begin to sag. She will begin to look frumpy. She 'lets herself go.'

Yet all this time he is running full speed. His church is growing. People are getting saved. New programs are launched. He is in his prime. He dresses sharp. People compliment him on how nice he looks. He is the life of the party. Young women compliment him on his after-shave. They like his new ties. He is flattered. You can watch his wandering eyes follow the younger women out the front door of his church.

All the while his wife faithfully keeps things running at home. She supports his ministry and nurtures the children. She notices him notice the younger and newer women in the church. She plods on, faithfully nurturing the children.

Have you even seen this happen? If so, you want to grab the pastor by the lapel, shake him until his breath mints fall out of his pockets. You want to say, 'C'mon fellow -- you don't know what you've got there -- give her some attention and watch her blossom again!'

But I am not really talking here about your wife here. I'm referring your church's wife -- the Sunday school.

Face it, for 15 years or more the Sunday school hasn't gotten much attention from its husband-pastor. Most pastors have been captivated with the newer sexier programs fluttering before their eyes at conferences and conventions. The Sunday school has been taken for granted. And, sure enough, she has gotten a bit frumpy. She's 'let herself go.'

As she has done for 220 years, she plods on caring for the kids, teaching the teens, discipling new converts, while her pastor's wandering eyes follow the younger programs out the front door of his church. It makes you want to say, 'C'mon fellow -- you don't know what you've got there -- give her some attention and watch her blossom again!'

Will the Sunday school make a comeback in the 21st century? What do you think?

So what do you think?

To contribute to the thinking on this issue e-mail your response to Tuesday@indwes.edu