Developing ministry's other half: Theological education for theology student wives at Pacific Adventist College

Over the last hundred and fifty years there have been some significant changes to the role of ministers' wives. Interestingly, each minister's wife also cycles through several phases in her own life. She is in a unique position. Her context raises significant questions of expectations, which can easily control her. Seventh-day Adventist ministers' wives also face the same basic issues. With Shepherdess International, the church has attempted to provide support for ministers' wives.; Despite the significant cultural differences, Pacific women also face many similar issues. As western civilisation has penetrated the Pacific, there has been a growing social trend to shift paradigms. However, the church has been reluctant to change, because people believe what the missionaries originally taught them was God-ordained and never to change. Consequently, the expectations for Pacific ministers' wives parallel the traditional expectations.; Ministers' wives still in seminary, face not only the natural inertia of a marriage to drift apart, but also social and financial pressures and a lack of personal growth. Pacific Adventist College's student wives confirm this. Consequently, if PAC is to provide a useful ministerial team, it needs to focus on developing both the minister and his wife.; Circumstances continue to change and ministry increases in complexity. Unless the ministry paradigm changes and churches provide them with better preparation and support, future ministers' wives will experience more frustration and confinement.; This paper focuses on both issues. Consequently, it lays a Biblical foundation for Christian marriage--the partnership paradigm. It also reexamines the paradigm of the church and ministry. Scripture describes a Cooperative church where everybody is a gifted minister and the minister is a player/coach. This ministry paradigm parallels the partnership paradigm of marriage.; Next, the paper discusses educational issues, faith development, adult women's education and literacy. Then it surveys existing programs in the Asia Pacific regions. Finally, this paper proposes a one-year program designed to develop the gifted ministry partner. This preparation will enable this gifted partner to choose ministry tasks to match her spiritual gifts and negotiate her role in different contexts.