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

within the church as God enables them so that they are Encouraged to
encourage others and be better wives, mothers and church members. Let us
look at each of these points in more detail.
W
oman/Wife: as previously identified in chapter three, a woman
was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27) and called to be a
helper (Gen. 2:18). Dobson (2004:23) observes that a possible lack of biblical
understanding regarding God’s intended role for the woman may be a cause
of unhappiness amongst pastors’ wives. Helping wives to develop as women
and mature in their understanding of what it means to be a wife may assist
young pastors’ wives to find greater joy in making their first priority service to
their family. Thereby avoiding unnecessary time spent on fulfilling unrealistic
expectations in the church. Her life and family come before serving the needs
of the church.
I
dentified in Christ: A key question asked to pastors’ wives during my
interviews was whether they considered themselves to be the
“pastor’s wife or the wife of the pastor”. Most wives indicated they were most
definitely the “wife of the pastor”, quick to identify themselves distinctly from
their husband’s vocation. Other wives indicated that they could not separate
themselves from being the pastor’s wife, that they were identified both as one
with their husband and separate from him. Dobson (2004:37) speaks of the
importance of identity awareness. Often women will tend to identify
themselves as their husband’s wife. As a believer in Christ one assumes a
new identity, that of “child of God” (Rom. 8:16, 17). This aspect to the W.I.F.E.
programme is essential; wives ought to understand that they belong to God;
they are unique as His children. Development of their relationship with God is
key, not so that they become independent from their husband’s but that they
are able to draw their confidence from this relationship in order to build upon
the other relationships in her life.
F
ree to be: Many of the wives interviewed did not have a significant
problem with being over-involved in the church. No one was
pressured to perform certain tasks or functions within the church. Few felt that
they were expected to be or fulfil certain expectations. This is commendable
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