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

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in the church. Whilst in one particularly large church I attended the wife did nothing except look exquisite, smile and greet people with her husband as parishioners left the building. Information and resources regarding the role of the pastor’s wife come predominantly from the United States. Although their experiences may not all be relevant within the South African context many similarities exist with regard to personal characteristics and difficulties faced. White (1986:11-12) identified the wives who contributed to her survey to be talented, creative, conscientious and caring individuals. One wife in particular shared with White her current responsibilities: I am the church secretary, office manager, bookkeeper, assistant music director, adult teacher, children’s church coordinator, district representative of women’s ministries, organist, member of a trio and of a choral group. I help supplement the family income by working part time as a school teacher. My husband and I have two children…. We, as congregational members, have a general misconception that our pastors’ wives are involved in everything for everyone as volunteers. The above mentioned example of a pastor’s wife, who seems continually overburdened with responsibilities, is a classic example and may vary only slightly from congregation to congregation. White (1986:13) identifies some of differences between wives married to pastors and wives married to a man in any other profession, namely that of identifying the wife within her husband’s vocation. A wife of a doctor is rarely (if ever) introduced as the “doctor’s wife”, or the wife of a professor is not introduced by her husband’s vocation as the “professor’s wife”. Why then has the church taken to introducing the wife of the pastor within the context of his vocation? Does it stipulate a certain job responsibility for her? Should her identity be found in her husband’s vocation? Dobson’s (2004:13) quantitative research survey to pastors’ wives in the United States identified some key needs pastors’ wives face such as setting boundaries, friendships, dealing with congregational expectations, support of one’s husband and finding one’s calling in the church. In Swart’s (2003:50-59) Master’s thesis regarding ministry to Dutch Reformed clergymen wives, she 24
identifies some key issues with regard to hurt in their lives; issues such as loss of self, congregational expectations, marriage relationship, friendships and their spiritual relationship. From both research endeavours a common theme emerges, the role of the pastor’s wife in the local church is undefined and yet identified as a known and prominent role in the life of the church. Dobson (2004:15) explains the term pastor’s wife as “a ‘title’ for a part of one’s life that is not a career, a position, and for some not even a calling or perceived role. Being the wife of a pastor is not a job”. With this stated, a key question to ask then is what is the role of the pastor’s wife? Is she a valued or undervalued member of the congregation? Is she aware of her role and/or responsibilities, if indeed she has either? Does she have any needs? Is the church aware of her as a person, church member, church leader, etc.? These questions and others will be addressed in the upcoming sections. 2.2.1 Empirical Research: Interviewees The research objective in this study is to identify the role 5 of a group of people (Soy, 1997), namely, pastors’ wives within the area of Somerset West. It is my desire to listen to their stories, observe them within their church environment and find out if a distinct role belonging to the pastor’s wife exists within their context. The LIM research model has been used for this study to identify the situation practice. This research model, developed by Prof Michael A. Cowan who is a professor of practical theology at Loyola University, provides an ideal template to engage the “world as it is” and the “world as it should be” (Cowan, 2000). He identifies a correlational association between the world and our traditions with that of scripture. This model was chosen because it lends itself to the importance of identifying and analysing the situation praxis, without prejudice or assumption. Later, the theological tradition and biblical instruction for the pastor’s wife in 5 “proper or customary function”. role. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/role (accessed: August 25, 2008). 25
Page 1 and 2: THE BIBLICAL ROLE OF THE PASTOR’S
Page 3 and 4: ACKOWLEDGEMENTS To my wonderful hus
Page 5 and 6: TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: INTROD
Page 7 and 8: 2.4.3 Do you enjoy your role as the
Page 9 and 10: CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION 5.1 Review of
Page 11 and 12: wife reveals that her role is poorl
Page 13 and 14: Whether through particular need or
Page 15 and 16: local church, with special referenc
Page 17 and 18: 1.2.3. Methodology for Chapter 3: A
Page 19 and 20: CHAPTER 2 Situation Analysis: The P
Page 21 and 22: This chart indicates that the major
Page 23: The wives interviewed for this rese
Page 27 and 28: not specifically selected; they wer
Page 29 and 30: 200 congregants were nominally invo
Page 31 and 32: 2.3.5 How many years have you been
Page 33 and 34: Two wives indicated that they were
Page 35 and 36: congregational members could be rai
Page 37 and 38: ecause their husbands were in essen
Page 39 and 40: 2.3.13 Do you believe Scripture tea
Page 41 and 42: and yet were called upon to fulfil
Page 43 and 44: needs also to be clear as to what s
Page 45 and 46: It should be noted that an informal
Page 47 and 48: suitable to each wife could be impo
Page 49 and 50: eason or another must work but inev
Page 51 and 52: 23B3w: I feel better now as I have
Page 53 and 54: 23C2y: Developing relationships wit
Page 55 and 56: ecause certain things are left undo
Page 57 and 58: 2.4.7 Have you established any boun
Page 59 and 60: 2.4.8 To what extent is the church
Page 61 and 62: 22B3q: Yes, I believe the church do
Page 63 and 64: 2.4.11 What message would you wish
Page 65 and 66: as a church member or Christian and
Page 67 and 68: immediate family requirements, this
Page 69 and 70: 22B3q: I do regret not having the t
Page 71 and 72: ministry and afford all time and ev
Page 73 and 74: 2.5 Identifying the Role of the Pas
Page 75 and 76:
CHAPTER 3 A Biblical Perspective on
Page 77 and 78:
everything was very good. Sailhamer
Page 79 and 80:
helper has often brought the connot
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elationship. For the purpose of thi
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Patterson’s article (1991:369) pr
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creatures and therefore find it nat
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church so that a foundation for the
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teaching began to create conflict a
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3.4.2 1 Timothy 3:11: The Female De
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office. Fitzmyer’s understanding
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feminist theology, women in leaders
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public duty than any Christian woma
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Edwards and Mathews (2002:27) descr
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move outward to help future pastors
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The majority of pastors’ wives wh
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4.2.1. Directives to the Body of Ch
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within a job portfolio of a deacon.
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within the church as God enables th
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Events of encouragement may differ
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Bare (a pastor’s wife herself) ev
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can place her trust. It is vital th
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Two books of exceptional value rega
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maintain your spiritual self must b
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4.4.5. Mentoring 28 A mentoring pro
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consistent encouragement. Pastors
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wives and to what extent wives unde
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perceived limitations of this role.
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Roberts (1995) and Dobson (2001) of
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Works Cited Adams, Jay E. 1984. She
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Fitzpatrick, Elyse M. 2003. Helper
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Women in the Early Church: Christia
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Roberts, Wes. 1995. Support your lo
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IL: Christianity Today, Inc. Online
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Appendix 2 Additional reading regar
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Grade 12 3,351 14.99 4,684 20.95 8,
Page 145 and 146:
HOUSING PROFILE Type of Dwelling, O
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N.G. Church Somerset- West C/O Dirk
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11. Describe your role in the local
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8. Would you consider yourself the
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1962: The Role of the Minister’s
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Appendix 8: Online Support for Past
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