On the Job Training

Dear Sister In Christ,

We assume quite a demanding role and yet pastors' wives continue to be the most untrained of all Christian professionals. In the book Heart To Heart With Pastors' Wives, contributing author Mary Lou Whitlock writes, "Many wives pleaded for help with ministry skills and wished they had been the recipients of more help and advance preparation before they were launched into varying degrees of leadership roles." (Based on the * NAE survey results.)

Whitlock goes on to say, "We must arm ourselves with truth and wisdom to do God's work in a fallen world…Seminary training for women should be an encouragement to run the race with joy and enthusiasm, using the time we have wisely…"

Growing numbers of Bible colleges and seminaries are hearing and heeding our plea. Courses are now offered just for pastors' wives--Ministry Preparation for Partners. Some of the topics taught include: Old and New Testament surveys, Bible study methods, Bible doctrine, women in leadership, basic counseling skills, how to share your faith, personal evangelism, personal/family finance, parenting skills, physical fitness, hospitality, temperament/personality, effective relationships, speech made easy, communication and developing a women's ministry. It is wonderful to know these kinds of courses are now being offered. At some institutions they are cost-free if the spouse is enrolled as a full-time student.

As wonderful as this is, for many, going to school is not feasible. I would venture to say most pastors' wives do not attend seminary (even if college educated). Therefore, what are we to do? I believe the answer is "home schooling" and on-the-job training. We can become students of the Word even if we never attend seminary or Bible college.

On September 21, 1984 a wise minister (who has since gone home to be with the Lord) said to me, "Let God prepare you…be spiritual. Stay in the Word. In Paul's ministry he will need a spiritual wife. Not one who is slothful. You must be spiritual. Prepare to be a First Lady. Stay in the Word. Be spiritual…"

Those words spoken almost 16 years ago are just as encouraging to me today as they were then. All believers are chosen by God, gifted by God, to be of service to God. Therefore, we should lean heavily upon Him, the Living Word, to prepare us. The apostle Paul wrote a letter of encouragement to a young Timothy saying, "You have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:15-16

The wise and challenging advice Paul gave to Timothy holds true for pastors' wives, as well. If you feel ill equipped as a pastor's wife--get into the Word! The Word transforms while renewing the mind. The Word teaches, rebukes, corrects and trains in righteousness so that we are fully equipped for every good work…even the work of The Pastor's Wife.

Becoming students of the Word and living a life of prayer are, I believe, the absolute best preparation for being successful at the work of The Pastor's Wife. E. Stanley Jones wrote this about prayer:

Prayer is "cooperation" with God. In prayer you align your desires, your will and your life to God. You and God become agreed on life desires life purposes, life plans and you work them out together. Prayer, then, is not trying to get God to do our will. It is the getting of our will into line with God's will. So prayer aligns the whole self to the whole Self of God. Prayer is therefore attunement. Just as when a note on a well tuned piano is struck, the corresponding note on a well-tuned violin will vibrate in unison, so when God strikes certain notes in His nature, we find our heartstrings vibrating in unison, provided prayer has attuned us.

…Prayer cleanses, it chastens our desires, realigns them so that you cannot tell where your desires end and God's desires begin. They are one. The desires are one, the decisions are one, and the power is one…When you learn how to pray, you learn how to live--vitally, vibrantly, victoriously.

"Let God prepare you. Stay in the Word. Be spiritual."

In the joy of His service,

Meredith R. Sheppard

Wives In Touch is a ministry of prayer and encouragement for pastors’ wives.
Mail all correspondence to: Wives In Touch, 2803 Breaker Circle, Hayward, CA 94545, USA
msheppard1234@earthlink.net