I (John) started in vocational ministry when I was 22 years old. I was about 3 months in when I heard an acronym for the first time – PK. That acronym was usually inserted into a sentence that went something like this . . . “Oh well, you know those PKs are a special sort of trouble!”

I did not like the term nor the thought process around it back then, and I still don’t. I knew many pastors’ kids back then who were impressive . . . and a few who were struggling with the spotlight.

In Part 1 of a two-part conversation, we interview JD Wiegand, Jim’ son. We explore a few of JD’s favorite things about being a pastor’s kid, some of the challenges he experienced, and three things he wished he could have said to the congregation his dad pastored.

• Tell us your favorite thing about being a PK.
  • Experiencing a larger world.
  • Seeing God’s handiwork in that larger world.
  • Exposure to people.
  • The ability to tag along with my dad.
  • You (Jim) allowed the other members of the church to pastor me.
• What were some of the challenges?
  • Figuring out God’s call on my life.
  • At times the church seemed to take precedence over everything
  • I was worried that my behavior would reflect on my dad.
  • If I was struggling and church leadership knew about it, I was afraid they wouldn’t trust my parents to pastor. This was self-imposed mostly.
• What do you wish you could say to the congregation?
  • Don’t treat me better or worse than anyone else because I’m a pastor’s kid.
  • Don’t expect anything more out of a pastor’s kid than you would any other kid in the congregation.
  • Every pastor’s kid has some say in what they want to participate in.