LECTURE DELIVERED BY REV. (MRS.)
NIKE JAYESIMI AT OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE 2013 WORKERS’ SEMINAR.
THE ROLES OF PASTORS’ WIVES IN AN
EFFECTIVE CHURCH FAMILY MINISTRY
Introduction
This year is a unique one for the
Nigerian Baptist Convention at large because of the centenary anniversary of
the denomination. Ogun Baptist Conference theme for the year is Church and
family ministry in the end time (Joshua 24:15). This is a year to examine our
past, ponder on our present and to make vivid decision on our future as
followers and children of the Most High God in preparation for the second
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastors’ wives and Pastors are
the Torch Bearers of the church. They are expected to give spiritual leadership
to the church through divine guidance from above. The church leadership must
reflect the glory of God and lead by example in order to lead the members
aright. Pastor’s wife must make herself available to attend church,
association, conference and convention fellowship in order to be current and
not obsolete in the scheme of God. Pastors’ wives must be ready to serve
effectively for the members not to derail in doing the will of God. It must be
a willing decision of Pastors’ wives to see to the smooth running of the church
family ministry. Pastors’ wives have been called into shared ministry with
their husbands and they must see the assignment as an opportunity to serve God.
Care must be taken not to lord over the church members but to live out the word
of God for members to follow suit. You must be satisfied with your position as
helpmeet to a Pastor and be ready to give up your family, tradition and
personal prestige to fulfill God’s call on your life. “No one serving as a
soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-he wants to please his commanding
officer” (2 Tim. 2:4).
Lateju (2013:94) classified the
Pastors’ wives church family ministry areas into three as follows:
(a)Pastors’ wives ministry among
youth and children.
(b)Pastors’ wives ministry among
men.
(c)Pastors’ wives ministry among
women (Women’s Missionary Union).
(a)Pastors’ wives among youth and
children:
Pastor’s wife is a mother and
matron for the youths in the church. Youth should be able to approach her freely
for counsel without hesitation of any form. Pastor’s wife must be able to
relate well with the youth individually at a close range not at far distance.
Youth should be given guidance on the way forward in life such as admission
into higher institution of learning, skill acquisition, decent and godly
dressing, choice of future partner, effective and appropriate use of god’s gift
and talents, and other life challenges most especially issues that youth may
not be able to discuss easily with their parents like sexual matters. Make use
of social media in reaching and celebrating the youths because we are in
computer age presently.
Pastor’s wife is suppose to be
parent and guidance to the children in the church by teaching, equipping,
disciplining, caring, preaching, leading and visiting the children at home and
in the school at interval. Be part of total children ministry of the church.
When you commit yourself to the cause of the ministry, God will supply the
needed strength and materials for the assignment. When people noticed Jesus
commitment, they brought children to him. You also need to be children friendly
and be properly trained for the assignment by attending seminars and workshop
organized for the purpose. See other children workers as partner in progress and
not as rivals or competitors. Encourage and motivate children workers to serve
the Lord faithfully.
(b) Pastors’ wives ministry among men:
Men in the church also need the
services of a Pastor’s wife like other church members. There is need to respect
and honour them as father, brother, uncle, husband and grandfather. You need to
deal with men with caution because they are of opposite sex. Visit them in
company of your husband and pray for them. Counsel and encourage them to live
meaningful Christian life that will make them to handle life challenges in
godly manner. Correct them in love and don’t crush their egos but fan it. Men
usually form the larger part of the church executive council and the
stakeholders of the church, when they have issues to settle with your husband
don’t transfer aggression, just pray along with your husband and commit
everything to the Lord for divine intervention. Be confidence in your
relationship with men in the Church; don’t allow inferiority complex and low self
esteem to depress you as a minister of God. Men in the church can be good
encourager in the ministry if pastor’s wife can rise up to challenges. “Do you
see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve
before obscure men” (Prov. 22:29). A deacon in my former church challenged and
encouraged me to learn driving, publish book and be theologically trained. You
are called to be agent of transformation to all.
(c)Pastors’ wives ministry among
women:
Pastor’s wife is the leader of the
women in the church by the virtue of her status. You need to relate with them
appropriately. Make sure you are not one sided in your approach to issues. Favoritism
to some members of the church will not be of help in achieving the desired church
objectives. Pastor’s wife must play leading role in Women
Missionary Union in order to key into the Baptist church ministry effectively.
There is need to learn the rudiment of the union for effective and efficient
service among the women in the church family ministry. “Do your best to present
yourself to God as one approved, a workman who correctly handles the word of
truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Women in the church may be older than the Pastor’s wife
and she will also need to lead them at the same time, therefore humility needs
to be employed in leading them. You need to command respect and never demand
for it. Use criticism to your advantage by learning from it and do not be embitter
by it. Learn to listen in order to be wise. Do not personalize issues but be objective
in taking position on any matter. “Do everything without complaining or
arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without
fault in a crooked and depraved generation (Phi. 2:14-15).
Conclusion
Pastors’ wives role in the church family
ministry is to be agent of transformation in leading people to God. To whom
much is given much is expected. Pastors’ wives must not just occupy position or
space in the church or pastorium but to affect the church family ministry
positively. “ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver,
but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble” (2
Tim. 2:20). Above all, balance your role in the church family ministry with the
leading of the Holy Spirit for divine empowerment and companion.
REFERENCE
Lateju R.A (2013), Precious as
rose. Ibadan: Publications Department, Nigerian Baptist Convention.
No comments:
Post a Comment