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

5.2. Conclusions of the Research
As White (1986:23) points out in her book, “the pastor’s wife is the only
woman I know who is asked to work full-time without pay on her husband’s
job, in a role no one has yet defined”. She described the role of the pastor’s
wife as yet to be defined. It became evident throughout this research that
pastors’ wives in Somerset West did not work full-time without pay on their
husband’s job. They did work, whether in the church or in secular
employment, either by choice or necessity, but were not confined to the
church. Wives, in most cases, were in charge of their lives and were
responsible for the amount of time they decided to give to the church. They
determined their involvement and were free to work within their spiritual
gifting. Many wives felt confident of their role as it pertained to their husband
and family without feeling great obligation to attend church functions or
participate in church ministry.
5.2.1. Conclusions regarding the Role of the Pastor’s Wife
As indicated in Chapter 4, I have come to understand that the pastor’s
wife is primarily a woman, created to image her Maker and designed uniquely
as a person with specific gifts and talents (Gen. 1:27). Secondly, she is a wife,
given to a man who has been called by God into pastoral ministry; she is to
come alongside her husband as his helpmeet (Gen. 2:18). Finally, she is a
believer in Christ and member of the body of Christ (Rom. 8:16, 17), called to
fulfil Christian duties amongst the people of God. Her role is that of
uniqueness, support and influence. She creates her role and is not defined or
limited by congregational or leadership expectations unless she agrees to a
functioning position within the church.
Bare (1998:174) indicates that “Today, the emphasis is on the MsW
seeking to be her own person, not apart from her church, but in relation to it
as a fulfillment of who she already is”. Bare goes on to explain that the
pastor’s wife is a person, a wife and a mother, someone who understands she
is the “thermostat of the home—setting the climate for successful
interactions”. Although she is the wife of the pastor she is not bound by the
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