Page 27 - Pastoral Ministries -Student Textbook

in whatever arena you've been placed –education, medicine, religion, and especially in your home. Our family
thrives in our strength through the grace of God.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Remembering always that we were chosen by the
King himself, and through him, we can attempt to do great things through God’s enabling power.

It’s with great joy and humility that I can share what we have learned and out of our own experiences during
pastoral ministry some common issues faced by pastor’s wives in ministry. In doing so, many would learn and be
encouraged.

---Medica Mwepu (wife of co-author, Bernard Mwepu)

The Role of the Pastor’s Wife

A. Expectations Differ

Just what is the expected role of the pastor’s wife? To
answer the question, we must ask an additional
question; “Whose expectations are we considering?”
Surely the expectations differ from congregation to
congregation, and within each church. Moreover
expectations differ markedly even among women
bearing the honored title.

B. The Bible Stresses Character

What is the proper biblical role for a pastor’s wife? The
evidence is sketchy and focuses primarily upon the
character of the person rather than her actions. In 1
Timothy 3:11 the wife of a deacon is expected to be
dignified, not a malicious gossip, but temperate, faithful in all things. Those attributes should apply to the
wife of an overseer as well. 1 Timothy 3:4 also instructs that she should be manageable. Also, Titus 1:8
indicates that she should be hospitable. Lastly, she should exhibit other attributes the Bible requires of every
godly Christian woman and wife, including the scriptural demand that both she and her husband be
submissive to one another as is outlined in God’s Word.

I believe that the picture of a pastor’s wife is one of a mature, godly, Christian woman who performs a
distinctive ministry in the church and who does her best to act as a model Christian wife and mother. They
should be women of godliness, maturity, and wisdom that others in the congregation will want to emulate.

C. Practical Concerns

Besides the biblical considerations, there are other concerns as well. Because the pastorate is so demanding,
a pastor’s wife must be in sympathy with her husband’s selection of the ministry as his life career. If he is to
perform his ministry with any degree of assurance, he needs to know that he has her full support. Whether
we like to admit it or not, when a church calls a pastor, it does not merely hire one person, it calls a team.

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