The Biblical Role of the Pastor's wife - South African Theological ...

The majority of pastors’ wives who are not employed by the church do
not receive a job description, or a detailed plan on what is expected of the
pastor’s wife. The role is unique to each woman married to a pastor serving in
the local church. However, although she may not hold an office or be involved
in the church in any leadership position, she is often seen to be a leader
amongst women, an example of Christian virtue, grace and love, a friend at all
times.
Thus, the role of the pastor’s wife may be summed up in one word or
phrase, namely, having the ability to influence. Influence, as defined by
Oxford Dictionary (2004), is “the capacity to have an effect on the character or
behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself”. Having a leadership
role such as this denotes character obligations. As Paul indicates to Timothy
(1 Tim. 3:11) when discussing the character of the deaconess within the
church he speaks specifically of her required character traits, as one who has
the ability to influence another’s behaviour. The pastor’s wife has been
afforded the opportunity, whether by choice, agreement or marriage, to be a
part of church ministry together with her husband and is therefore responsible
for her Christian character. This is not very different from many people who
find themselves in a visibly influential position, such as a role model.
Is it correct then to assume that all pastors’ wives must presume a
position of ‘deaconess’ within the church, simply because of her ability to
influence others? No, I do not think so. This assumption is unfounded
because of the function associated with the deacon(ess) as one who fulfils a
particular service within the church (Schreiner, 1991:220), which may or may
not be the case for most pastors’ wives. Dobson (2004:23) believes that
“women of visibility and influence in the church … wives of any kind of
ministers are observed and therefore are role models for others”.
If one claims to be a Christian, one may find oneself in such an
influential position whereby he or she are looked upon as an exemplar of all
things ‘Christian’. Such a position within the church may hold even more
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