Help! My husband decided to study Theology!

What was your first thoughts when your dear husband told you that he wanted to move to the Seminary and study Theology?

When you hear the term “Pastor’s Wife” – what is the first image that pop’s into your head?

Do you see a blessed woman that adorns her Pastor-husband’s side as she enriches the ministry with all her talents and spiritual gifts? Or do you rather see an overworked, underpaid, criticized and utterly lonely wife of a man that is rarely home; works ridiculous hours and runs from one crises to another?

Maybe you may have a completely disillusioned idea of what the ministry entails. Some only recalls seeing the wife of the Pastor at the Women’s Ministry’s prayer breakfast, the Pathfinder fundraisers or just sitting quietly in the back of the Church week after week. The congregation you come from might have had quite a few opinions of what a ‘proper Pastor’s wife’ looks like, dresses like, speaks about, eat and don’t eat ...

When in reality you are now going to prepare for the times and moments the congregation seldom sees or knows about. My husband and I have hold the hands of people until they softly breathe their last breath on their deathbed. We have been called by frantic relatives trying to stop their family member from committing suicide. We have consoled mothers who have given birth to stillborn babies and tried to encourage husbands who have been retrenched. As a matter of fact ... we have buried too many people, seen too much devastation, and dried too many tears.

But we have also dedicated beautiful little children, send lovely newlyweds on their way and witnessed the powerful work of the Holy Spirit on the hearts of many. So in short – the ministry is beautiful, it’s also horrible! It’s filled with blessings and it is also the most difficult road to choose to travel.

So grasp with both hands every possible opportunity of preparation!

Please remember that God calls a couple:

Remind yourself constantly what you are here to train for.

When God calls – He calls a couple. Your spouse might be the one engaging in the studies, but you will be enrolled in the training school of the Most High! Do not make the mistake to think that your spouse’s studies alone is going to prepare you both for the work in God’s vineyard. The academic studies at the Seminary will only form part of one third of your training. Secondly you as a couple will learn to trust and relay FULLY on God for everything. And thirdly God is going to teach you how to interact, get along and work closely with a very large variety of people. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, teach you and transform you into a humble servant of the Lord. You cannot leave after four years of studies (or however long it takes) as the same person you were when you first arrived on campus – you and your husband have to grow – as a couple as well as individually!

Surrender as a couple to the Lord:

*When things get difficult – remember what you are here to train for!

*When you get frustrated – remember what you are here to train for!

*When deception, discouraging remarks or temptation tries to disillusion you – remember what you are here to train for!

May God richly bless your time at Seminary! And please remember: –

There is only one celebrity in the Church and that is Jesus Christ!

Train to be a humble servant!