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

2.3.5 How many years have you been serving at your current church?
22B5q: 6-10
23B3w: Less than 5
34D5p: Over 21
12B1s : 6-10
22B3q: 11-15
23C2y: Less than 5
12B5t: Less than 5
44D3w: Less than 5
12B4z: Less than 5
22B4w: 6-10
In contrast to the number of years most wives had been in ministry, the
majority of wives had spent less than 10 years at their current church. Two
wives were within their first year at the local church while others had been
with the church for approximately five years or slightly more. Two wives
indicated that they had been with their current church from its inception.
Adjustment to new surroundings is sometimes difficult. Expectations
that congregational members may often come into play when a new pastor’s
wife is welcomed into a church. If the previous wife was retired and had been
considerably involved in the church many vacancies would have been left for
the new wife to fulfil. However, if the new wife is a young mother it is unlikely
that the new pastor’s wife would take up any of the vacancies. This may
cause church members to become upset or disappointed by the new wife’s
seemingly disinterested attitude. Any such disturbances within the church
should be immediately addressed by the church leadership and the
congregants to understand the level of involvement the wife is able to meet
without harm of unrealistic expectations being placed on her. Such support
from her husband or church leadership is invaluable.
2.3.6 Is your husband the … senior pastor/assistant pastor?
The ten wives interviewed for this research project were married to the
senior pastor of each respective church.
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