Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Spurgeon (and sanity) on pastor's wives

I've said similarly, but never better (italics his, bold added):
Churches do not give a married minister two salaries, one for the husband and the other for the wife; but, in many cases, they look for the services of the wife, whether they pay for them or not. The Pastor's wife is expected to know everything about the church, and in another sense she is to know nothing of it; and she is equally blamed by some people whether she knows everything or nothing. Her duties consist in being always at home to attend to her husband and her family, and being always out, visiting other people, and doing all sorts of things for the whole church! Well, of course, that is impossible; she cannot be at everybody's beck and call, and she cannot expect to please everybody. Her husband cannot do that, and I think he is very foolish if he tries to do it; and I am certain that, as the husband cannot please everybody, neither can the wife. There will be sure to be somebody or other who will be displeased, especially if that somebody had herself half hoped to be the minister's wife! Difficulties arise continually, in the best-regulated churches; and the position of the minister's wife is always a very trying one. Still, I think, that if I was a Christian young woman, I would marry a Christian minister if I could, because there is an opportunity of doing so much good in helping him in his service for Christ. It is a great assistance to the cause of God to keep the minister himself in good order for his work. It is his wife's duty to see that he is not uncomfortable at home; for, if everything there is happy, and free from care, he can give all his thoughts to his preparation for the pulpit; and the godly woman, who thus helps her husband to preach better, is herself a preacher though she never speaks in public, and she becomes to the highest degree useful to that portion of the Church of Christ which is committed to her husband's charge' (from his autobiography The Full Harvest)

10 comments:

Rileysowner said...

What?! No comments yet?

Annette said...

what an encouragement

Rileysowner said...

I knew my wife would comment. This is so true.

~Mark said...

"It is a great assistance to the cause of God to keep the minister himself in good order for his work. It is his wife's duty to see that he is not uncomfortable at home; for, if everything there is happy, and free from care, he can give all his thoughts to his preparation for the pulpit; and the godly woman, who thus helps her husband to preach better, is herself a preacher though she never speaks in public, and she becomes to the highest degree useful to that portion of the Church of Christ which is committed to her husband's charge'"



~If I may borrow from a certain famous chef...

BAM!

Good stuff.

Michelle said...

I just sent this to my pastor's dear wife. I'm sure she will enjoy it. It is so true.

W. Ian Hall said...

Great post - I'll be showing this one to my wife.
Now that two salaries idea - something to think about for the next deacons meeting , hmm .......

DJP said...

The principle of 1 Timothy 5:18 isn't sex-specific, is it?

W. Ian Hall said...

Good point, not sure the average deacon will look at it in such in a favourable light. LOL

David said...

This is the second post I've read today on this subject (Connie Dever wrote this one). This always reminds me of Alan Keyes' answer a few years back to the question, "What will Mrs Keyes do as First Lady?" Quoth he, "Take care of Mr Keyes." (In case you've forgotten, he didn't get the nomination. That was wasted on Bob Dole.)

Anyway, I always feel for the pastor's wives in small churches who are expected--expected!--to play piano, teach Sunday school, etc., etc., etc., all the while having the other "ladies" talk behind her back about various short-comings, her less-than-angelic children, etc., etc., etc.

Well, I shan't go on ranting. I have some strong feelings about this.

Unknown said...

Yep, same can be said for missionaries - the wife is not paid as well. Guess we are all lumped together :-) What's his is mine, and what's mine is his.