Is the Pastor's Wife entitled to Call herself Pastor by Association?

[tamor]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I believe that a pastor's wife has the same responsibilities as any other wife...BUT she also has to deal with saints (and sometimes her husband) having [often] unreasonably high expectations of her. I think pastor's wives should be treated as the human beings they are. They deserve respect, but I don't think they are "pastors" by default.

Some pastor's wives are more heavily involved in church work than others, but I've known some who stay out of everything. I think that's just fine, if that's what they want to do. I don't think pastor's wives should have to shoulder the pastoral responsibilities just because their husband is a pastor. That would be like asking wives of doctors to treat patients when her husband isn't available!

However, if a woman has gifts and callings to offer, and her husband wants/needs her help, I think that arrangement is just fine. It would be up to the pastor and the congregation, ultimately.

I can't think of any instance where I would think a pastor's wife isn't "doing enough." If she is keeping her home and raising her children, she's already doing enough. Anything above and beyond that is extra effort.

Great post, Bratt!!

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Jeanie

Just my thoughts!

I thank God for all the pastors wives that I have had, none have been nothing but wonderful.


Its hard being a pastors wife in that the role is really undefined, and it seems (as CS so well put it) many find fault with because she doesnt fit the role that people think a pastors wife should fill.

I think we spend too much time trying to figure out what other people should be doing and worry about ourselves.



AND...what is wrong with a husband who likes to cook anyway? Keith cooks all the time and is good at-he does a mean BBQ. (MYOB)

I'm glad that all of your pastor's wives have been wonderful.

I think we spend too much time trying to figure out what other people should be doing and worry about ourselves.

This is true, but I'm looking at it for face value. There are some and I have had some that were not good people and eventually destroyed their husband's ministry. Of course we wish these things didn't happen and we wish that saints wouldn't mess up either, but it happens.

God Bless all the honest men and women in service for the Lord's Kingdom! Hopefully we will all continue to be honest, myself included.

[revrandy]

I knew this post would pull folks out of the woodwork!!

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I'm glad that all of your pastor's wives have been wonderful.



This is true, but I'm looking at it for face value. There are some and I have had some that were not good people and eventually destroyed their husband's ministry. Of course we wish these things didn't happen and we wish that saints wouldn't mess up either, but it happens.

God Bless all the honest men and women in service for the Lord's Kingdom! Hopefully we will all continue to be honest, myself included.

it boils down to experiance... I don't think we are shooting holes or slicing... but just communicating experiances..
For some (like myself) I've had some great experiances..
For others not so great...

Originally Posted by revrandy

Sis. Alvear.. I love the Pictures!!! Keep Em Coming!!

I would prefer that the pictures were all together in one thread. Or maybe the Admins could figure out a way to set up a slide show.

[Sherri]

Some people call me Pastor Sherri, but not a lot. It doesn't bother me, and I certainly don't expect it. But, because of some backgrounds, they just do it automatically. I don't do the pulpit stuff, but I do fulfill alot of pastoral roles. I do work in the office and do some counseling, etc. I am involved in major decisions. I oversee the Women's Ministry and Missions. This is all by choice though, not because I'm married to THE MAN. If I just wanted to stay home and cook and clean, he would let me. (But......I get bored with that!!)

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by revrandy

it boils down to experiance... I don't think we are shooting holes or slicing... but just communicating experiances..
For some (like myself) I've had some great experiances..
For others not so great...

I have had both. It isn't the point of wanting to bash anyone or anything. It's just that, what's the old saying - "Junk happens".

I just, personally, like to lay the cards on the table and read them - for better or for worse.

So, here's one deal. We had a pastor's wife that kept the thing operating. I had a dream that I was talking to her husband and he was crying saying he wanted to resign. He went and told her and she came boiling into the room screaming and then he started yelling, siding with her.

I spoke about the dream to a very old friend who had pastored for years. He said, "I know for a fact that would happen. Just keep everything to yourself and God will take care of it."

So, we did and God did and we are happy.

So - "junk happens" - but God is good, just, faithful and full of mercy!

The pastor's wife is just another saint in the pew (not that being a saint in the pew is unimportant). It's wrong for people to be trying to hold her to a higher standard than they hold other saints in the pews (or even themselves) just because God called her husband to be the bishop of the local assembly. Maybe if the other saints in the pews got off their blessed assurance and sought God for the work he would have them do in the local church they wouldn't have time to complain about the pastor's wife doing too much or not doing enough.

If I have an issue with my pastor, I go to my pastor. If I have an issue with his wife, I go to his wife.

[Felicity]

All my pastors' wives were wonderful.

The pastors' wives who have been personal friends through the years are wonderful.

Most of the pastors' wives I've know generally speaking through the years have been wonderful.

I've found that generally speaking those who God has called to partner with God called men are wonderful women.

This has been my personal experience. Guess I've been one of the lucky, favoured and blessed to have known so many wonderful women of God.

Again this week as I'm reconnecting with so many people I've known through the years and getting to meet and observe some of the younger PWs as well, I am very very impressed! Perhaps our district has been favoured in this area as well because I don't know of any PWs who have ruined or destroyed their husband's ministry in my home district.

That's my testimony.

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Chan

The pastor's wife is just another saint in the pew (not that being a saint in the pew is unimportant). It's wrong for people to be trying to hold her to a higher standard than they hold other saints in the pews (or even themselves) just because God called her husband to be the bishop of the local assembly. Maybe if the other saints in the pews got off their blessed assurance and sought God for the work he would have them do in the local church they wouldn't have time to complain about the pastor's wife doing too much or not doing enough.

If I have an issue with my pastor, I go to my pastor. If I have an issue with his wife, I go to his wife.

I do disagree with you Chan.. The pastors wife often will represent the pastor and people will look up to her.. She in retrospect (whether she calls herself pastor or not) will be considered leadership... That's just the way it is..