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

2.3.7 Were you aware of your husband’s calling to full-time ministry
prior to getting married?
22B5q:
34D5p:
12B1s :
23B3w:
22B3q:
23C2y:
12B5t:
44D3w:
12B4z:
22B4w:
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
no
yes
yes
yes
yes
It is difficult to say at the outset of a marriage where a couple will be in
five, ten, or twenty years. The evidence of an ever-changing world is a
constant. A man or woman may have two or three major career changes in
his or her lifetime, thereby making the commitment made at the outset of the
marriage very real and often challenging. Couples who are saved during
married life or experience a definite call to full-time Christian ministry may
have difficulty adjusting to the new lifestyle. It is important that couples seek
godly counsel endeavouring to learn all they can of the new life to which they
have now committed.
The wives interviewed for this research project vary in age and years of
married life as well as years of ministry service. Most wives were aware of
their husband’s calling to the pastorate at the outset of their marriage.
Those wives who were aware of their husband’s calling prior to
marriage are often called to the same or similar ministry. While some wives
may rise to the challenge and embrace this lifestyle, many experience burnout
and depression at times (Haggard, 2004:24). Most of the wives interviewed
saw their husband’s profession as his own calling and did not consider
themselves a specific part of his ministry, although they considered
themselves to be in full- or part-time ministry. On average, the wives identified
a distinct ministry within their own particular gifting.
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