Supporting a Spouse in Church Service | An Interview with JeaNette Smith

JeaNette Smith is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who authored Side by Side: Supporting a Spouse in Church Service to help couples keep their relationships strong and connected amidst demanding Church callings or busy careers. Her inspiration for the book came early in her career while her husband, Bret, was serving as a bishop, leading her to study how couples can actively grow closer rather than drift apart during intense seasons of service.

Over their years together, JeaNette and Bret have put these principles into practice across numerous callings, including three bishoprics, a branch presidency, a stake presidency, and as mission leaders in the Dominican Republic. JeaNette is a frequent contributor to Meridian Magazine and the author of two books on adolescent romance. JeaNette and Bret are the parents of four children and the grandparents of fifteen. They continue to work side by side in their family life and with their grandchildren.

Links

Side by Side: Supporting a Spouse in Church Service

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Highlights

JeaNette explores how couples can navigate demanding Church callings without straining their relationship. Drawing on her personal background supporting her husband across various leadership roles and her professional expertise, JeaNette emphasizes that Church callings should be treated as shared, couple-centered opportunities that strengthen marriages rather than burden them.

Key Insights

Viewing Callings as a Team Effort: Demanding leadership positions run much smoother and foster deeper connection when couples view the assignment as a joint effort, with the leader using their spouse as a trusted sounding board and counselor.

Navigating Confidentiality Wisely: Leaders should refrain from complete emotional isolation; while specific names and details must remain private, sharing emotional burdens, general concerns, and spiritual joys keeps the couple connected and avoids emotional drift.

Emotional Availability Matters Most: Marital tension rarely stems from physical absence alone; it arises when leaders become emotionally disengaged and fail to share their inner thoughts and feelings with their spouse.