In the past the ministers spouses played a vital role in the sense that in our situation she was an active part of the Ministers activities.In recent years this has changed with the spouses not that active or not active at all. I would like to know what is your views on the role of the spouses and what are the "rules"if any for the spouses

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Answers

Please secre a copy of Dr. Dolly Adam's book, She In The Glass House. This book will more than answer your qestion. If you are a spouse, Then I invite you to jon your district, conference, episcopal, and conectional organizations. Much information, support, and fellowship is available.

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

I do not remember any Bible passages on this question. If that is not true I would like to know what they are. I see scriptures that tell of the qualifications for deacons and elders but the only place spouses are mentioned is they can not have more than one. Some people take this to mean a minister can not be divorced. If there are no Bible passages I think the qualifications and role are not defined. I think the pastors family should only have the same rules as all Christians.

In Christ, Nathan Paujo

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2001

Please visit the following site: http://www.amemswwpk.org. This is the web page for the Ministers, ministers spouses, and preacher's kids. Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, March 10, 2001

They have no role. A minister's wife, espicially a pastor's wife, is just that his wife. She is burdened with the sensative position of being married to a man of God and therefore having to share her husband wtih a congregation and all those in need. To require specific things of her is an undue and unfair burden. If a wife wants to participate that must be at her own discression. We would not expect the wife of a person in any other profession to be any more than a part of that person's personal life. We should not expect any more than that of Minister's wives.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

My spouse takes care of the children and supports me so that I am free to minister. That does not minimize my role as father but she has it together so that I do not have to worry about them. Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

This is an interesting question, Rev Higgins. From my point of view there can be several answers but the one that comes to mind is, "Depends". If you are talking about a spouse of a minister that is a Pastor, it is one thing but if it is the spouse of a minister, not a pastor it is another. Also, there may be a differencein that the minister may be a female and the spouse a male. We can not assume that the "spouse" is going to be a woman. My Pastor's wife plays is Advisor to the Women's Missionary Society and also the Executive Director of the Henry Buckner School, our elementary school. That is because of the skills she brings to the table, not becauuse she is Pastor's wife. The Presiding Elder always asks the spouse of a new licensuate (sp) if he/she is prepared to travel the road with the spouse because it is a family commitment and the support and encouragement is important.

Along the same vain, does anyone know what role Bishop McKenzie's husband will or is playing? Traditionally, the Bishop's Spouse is the Supervisor of the Women's Missionary Society. "Times, they are a'changing."

-- Anonymous, March 15, 2001

Shame on the Mole!

The role of a good wife is found in Proverbs 31.

-- Anonymous, March 19, 2001