By Victor Ochieng
According to a research that was discussed at the annual meeting of the Religion News Association, pastors’ spouses revealed that church salary doesn’t meet their needs sufficiently. While some of them also hold paid positions in their respective churches, others play voluntary roles. They spoke of the challenges they face behind the person that stands at the pulpit. Nevertheless, they remained appreciative of the positive effects the church has had on their families but also pointed out the isolated life that comes with it.
The LifeWay Research survey was released on Tuesday and it indicated the need to understand that pastors’ spouses shouldn’t be viewed as equals. They have varied experiences and play different vital roles in the church. The Executive Director of a Nashville-based evangelical research firm, Scott McConnell, said, “Spouses have an important role in the church, even if it’s not an official role….. The variety of experiences kind of reminds us just not to tuck them into a single mold.”
On the panel of the annual meeting was Lisa Rhea, who is the wife of a bi-vocational pastor of an Episcopal church from the Nashville-area. She too was among the women who supported the view that pastors’ salaries are usually very small.
Dorena Williamson, the wife of the senior pastor of a Strong Tower Bible Church in Nashville, said during the RNA panel that, “My mother has been probably my chief confidante.” She said this as she addressed the challenge of being a ‘burden bearer’ and the fact that this happens everywhere and anytime.
Despite all the challenges, the spouses strongly said they loved what they do and valued the experiences they have when they positively impact someone’s life in one way or the other. Despite the many difficulties they face, they appreciated standing by and supporting their husbands.
“It’s never a call to an easy life, but it’s also an opportunity to bring grace and a joy that you never thought was possible,” Rhea said while pointing out that she loved being the spouse of a pastor. Her sentiments were echoed by many other pastors’ spouses who were in attendance; both the male and the female spouses.
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