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

Bare (a pastor’s wife herself) evaluated 35 books offering advice,
encouragement and/or education to pastors’ wives regarding their role, of the
35 books 32 of them were written by pastors’ wives. Bare’s point is that
although autobiographies may not necessarily be helpful all the time, they do
offer some comfort and help. Most known literature for pastors’ wives focuses
on her identity as a child of God (relationship to God), wife (relationship to
husband), and mother (relationship to children) indicates Bare (pp.31-32). As
the role is unique to each pastor’s wife, it would be difficult to equip her fully
for ministry, but general assurance is helpful.
Wives do have the option to educate themselves for more specific
needs, such as counselling, through a number of formal or informal studies.
Distance learning educational institutions exist that provide opportunity to
study at their own pace and from the comfort of their own home. 25 Although it
is not common to find a course on how to be a pastor’s wife, it is not
necessary since each role is unique; however, there are many general
subjects or specialised fields on which one can focus.
The handbooks that Bare speaks of generally reflect common
expectations placed on pastors’ wives but could become more practical by
focusing on developing their character or personality in order to make their
position within the church a positive experience. It is unlikely that books
entitled, Five Steps to Learning to Counsel and Love the Unlovable or Ten
Steps to Becoming an Hospitable Domestic Goddess would not appeal to the
pastor’s wife. She may see these as unrealistic or unattainable goals but the
character development of loving unconditionally or showing acts of kindness
are qualities all believers can be working on, in order to become more Christlike.
In essence, wives should not be forced to purchase unnecessary
literature; however, it is evident that specific books are helpful and
encouraging.
25 For more information regarding accredited distance learning programmes contact the
South African Theological Seminary, www.satsonline.org.
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