Surviving or Thriving? A Survey about the Preparedness of SBC Pastors' Wives for Ministry

100% of survey complete.

The research in which you are about to participate is designed to explore the preparedness of pastors’ wives for ministry. This research is being conducted by Tara Dew for purposes of Doctorate of Education dissertation research at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS). In this research, you will be asked to describe the ministerial areas in which you serve and how you were prepared for those tasks. Any information you provide will be held strictly confidential, and at no time will your name be reported, or your name identified with your responses. Participation in this study is totally voluntary and you are free to withdraw from the study at any time.

By your completion of this survey, you are giving informed consent for the use of your responses in this research.

* 1. From which Southern Baptist seminary did your husband graduate?

Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Other (please specify)

* 2. In what year did he graduate?

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Other (please specify)

* 3. What is your husband’s current role at the church?

senior pastor

associate pastor

youth pastor

children’s pastor

worship leader

music minister

discipleship pastor

education pastor

elder

support staff

Other (please specify)

* 4. How long have you been at this church?

0-1 year

2-3 years

4-5 years

6 or more years

* 5. How would you describe your church?

Traditional church

Church plant

Church revitalization

* 6. What kind of music is most characteristic of your church?

Traditional (organ/piano)

Mixed (piano/guitar)

Contemporary

Other

* 7. About how many does your church have in average weekly attendance?

less than 100

101-200

201-300

301-400

401-500

501-750

751-1000

1001 or more

* 8. Where is your church located?

Urban area (city)

Suburban area (town)

Rural area

* 9. What geographical region would you consider yourself in?

Northeast

Southeast

Midwest

West

Southwest

Northwest

Other (please specify)

* 10. What was your age at your last birthday?

15-20 years old

21-35 years old

36-50 years old

51-65 years old

66 years old and above

* 11. How supportive are you of your husband’s ministry?

Very supportive

Somewhat supportive

Somewhat unsupportive

Unsupportive

* 12. How willing are you to be involved in your husband’s ministry or other ministries within the church?

Very willing

Willing

Somewhat unwilling

Unwilling

* 13. Do you feel a personal call to ministry?

Yes

* 14. On average, how many hours do you spend each week on church related matters, including church attendance?

None

1-5 hours

5-10 hours

10-15 hours

15 or more hours

* 15. Please indicate how you serve your church. (Check as many as apply.)

I don’t serve.

teaching

counseling

hospitality

administrative tasks

worship ministry

music ministry

choir (adult choir or children's choir)

play the piano

event planning

Sunday School

children’s ministries

discipleship

small groups

nursery

community service

evangelism

committees

social media/marketing

weddings

funerals

women's ministry

AWANA or Girls in Action (GA)

Vacation Bible School

"odds and ends"

Other (please specify)

* 16. Do you believe that a pastor’s wife should complement her spouse in ministry?

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

* 17. Ministry has been what I expected it to be like.

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Disagree

* 18. Do you believe that a pastor’s wife should be a role model for other women in the church?

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

* 19. Do you believe that ministry has affected your personal relationships in a positive way?

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

* 20. Do you believe that ministry has affected your personal relationships in a negative way?

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

* 21. What training have you received for ministry? (check all that apply)

College degree

Seminary degree

certificate

formal classes

women’s bible studies

mentor

trained by husband

grew up in a pastor’s home

Other (please specify)

* 22. What is your highest educational level?

No formal education

Some grade school

Completed grade school

Some high school

Completed high school

Some college

Completed college

Some graduate school

Completed graduate school

* 23. Overall, how prepared were you to be a pastor's wife?

Very prepared

A little prepared

A little unprepared

Very unprepared

* 24. The following questions will ask about your preparedness in regards to TEACHING.

	Very prepared	Slightly prepared	Slightly unprepared	Very unprepared	Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared overall for biblical teaching?	To what degree were you prepared overall for biblical teaching? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared overall for biblical teaching? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared overall for biblical teaching? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared overall for biblical teaching? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared overall for biblical teaching? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared in how to study your Bible?	To what degree were you prepared in how to study your Bible? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared in how to study your Bible? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared in how to study your Bible? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared in how to study your Bible? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared in how to study your Bible? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared in how to outline a text?	To what degree were you prepared in how to outline a text? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared in how to outline a text? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared in how to outline a text? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared in how to outline a text? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared in how to outline a text? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared in finding other similar passages to cross-reference?	To what degree were you prepared in finding other similar passages to cross-reference? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared in finding other similar passages to cross-reference? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared in finding other similar passages to cross-reference? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared in finding other similar passages to cross-reference? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared in finding other similar passages to cross-reference? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to find and use commentaries to understand your passage?	To what degree were you prepared to find and use commentaries to understand your passage? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to find and use commentaries to understand your passage? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to find and use commentaries to understand your passage? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to find and use commentaries to understand your passage? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to find and use commentaries to understand your passage? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to see the passage you are teaching as a part of the whole of Scripture?	To what degree were you prepared to see the passage you are teaching as a part of the whole of Scripture? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to see the passage you are teaching as a part of the whole of Scripture? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to see the passage you are teaching as a part of the whole of Scripture? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to see the passage you are teaching as a part of the whole of Scripture? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to see the passage you are teaching as a part of the whole of Scripture? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared with different public speaking techniques?	To what degree were you prepared with different public speaking techniques? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared with different public speaking techniques? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared with different public speaking techniques? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared with different public speaking techniques? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared with different public speaking techniques? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to adults?	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to adults? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to adults? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to adults? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to adults? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to adults? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to children?	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to children? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to children? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to children? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to children? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson to children? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson one-on-one in a discipleship context?	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson one-on-one in a discipleship context? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson one-on-one in a discipleship context? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson one-on-one in a discipleship context? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson one-on-one in a discipleship context? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to teach a lesson one-on-one in a discipleship context? Not applicable

* 25. The following questions will ask about your preparedness in regards to COUNSELING.

	Very prepared	Slightly prepared	Slightly unprepared	Very unprepared	Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared overall for counseling?	To what degree were you prepared overall for counseling? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared overall for counseling? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared overall for counseling? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared overall for counseling? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared overall for counseling? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for counseling women’s issues (infertility, miscarriage, postpartum, abortion)?	To what degree were you prepared for counseling women’s issues (infertility, miscarriage, postpartum, abortion)? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling women’s issues (infertility, miscarriage, postpartum, abortion)? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling women’s issues (infertility, miscarriage, postpartum, abortion)? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling women’s issues (infertility, miscarriage, postpartum, abortion)? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling women’s issues (infertility, miscarriage, postpartum, abortion)? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for pre-marital counseling or counseling through marital issues (infidelity, pornography, adultery, arguments, abuse)?	To what degree were you prepared for pre-marital counseling or counseling through marital issues (infidelity, pornography, adultery, arguments, abuse)? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for pre-marital counseling or counseling through marital issues (infidelity, pornography, adultery, arguments, abuse)? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for pre-marital counseling or counseling through marital issues (infidelity, pornography, adultery, arguments, abuse)? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for pre-marital counseling or counseling through marital issues (infidelity, pornography, adultery, arguments, abuse)? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for pre-marital counseling or counseling through marital issues (infidelity, pornography, adultery, arguments, abuse)? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for counseling anxiety or depression?	To what degree were you prepared for counseling anxiety or depression? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling anxiety or depression? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling anxiety or depression? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling anxiety or depression? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling anxiety or depression? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for counseling through past sins or experiences?	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through past sins or experiences? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through past sins or experiences? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through past sins or experiences? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through past sins or experiences? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through past sins or experiences? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for counseling people of different cultures?	To what degree were you prepared for counseling people of different cultures? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling people of different cultures? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling people of different cultures? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling people of different cultures? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling people of different cultures? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for counseling in financial matters?	To what degree were you prepared for counseling in financial matters? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling in financial matters? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling in financial matters? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling in financial matters? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling in financial matters? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for counseling through spiritual issues?	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through spiritual issues? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through spiritual issues? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through spiritual issues? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through spiritual issues? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through spiritual issues? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for counseling through mental issues?	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through mental issues? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through mental issues? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through mental issues? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through mental issues? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through mental issues? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for counseling through family issues (childhood family, parenting, marriage, etc)?	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through family issues (childhood family, parenting, marriage, etc)? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through family issues (childhood family, parenting, marriage, etc)? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through family issues (childhood family, parenting, marriage, etc)? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through family issues (childhood family, parenting, marriage, etc)? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for counseling through family issues (childhood family, parenting, marriage, etc)? Not applicable

* 26. The following questions will ask about your preparedness for ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS.

	Very prepared	Slightly prepared	Slightly unprepared	Very unprepared	Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for the overall administrative tasks in the church?	To what degree were you prepared for the overall administrative tasks in the church? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for the overall administrative tasks in the church? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for the overall administrative tasks in the church? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for the overall administrative tasks in the church? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for the overall administrative tasks in the church? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate weddings?	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate weddings? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate weddings? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate weddings? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate weddings? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate weddings? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate funerals?	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate funerals? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate funerals? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate funerals? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate funerals? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate funerals? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate help following births in your congregation?	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate help following births in your congregation? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate help following births in your congregation? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate help following births in your congregation? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate help following births in your congregation? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to direct/coordinate help following births in your congregation? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to handle secretarial/office details, like bulletins, church calender, mail, etc?	To what degree were you prepared to handle secretarial/office details, like bulletins, church calender, mail, etc? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to handle secretarial/office details, like bulletins, church calender, mail, etc? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to handle secretarial/office details, like bulletins, church calender, mail, etc? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to handle secretarial/office details, like bulletins, church calender, mail, etc? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to handle secretarial/office details, like bulletins, church calender, mail, etc? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to handle social media, website, etc. of the church?	To what degree were you prepared to handle social media, website, etc. of the church? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to handle social media, website, etc. of the church? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to handle social media, website, etc. of the church? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to handle social media, website, etc. of the church? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to handle social media, website, etc. of the church? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers, in the nursery and children’s areas?	To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers, in the nursery and children’s areas? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers, in the nursery and children’s areas? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers, in the nursery and children’s areas? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers, in the nursery and children’s areas? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers, in the nursery and children’s areas? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers in other service or evangelism programs of the church?	To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers in other service or evangelism programs of the church? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers in other service or evangelism programs of the church? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers in other service or evangelism programs of the church? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers in other service or evangelism programs of the church? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to coordinate volunteers in other service or evangelism programs of the church? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to do the “odds and ends” in the church that no one else even knows about?	To what degree were you prepared to do the “odds and ends” in the church that no one else even knows about? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to do the “odds and ends” in the church that no one else even knows about? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to do the “odds and ends” in the church that no one else even knows about? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to do the “odds and ends” in the church that no one else even knows about? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to do the “odds and ends” in the church that no one else even knows about? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to be the “second-person” of the ministry team alongside your husband?	To what degree were you prepared to be the “second-person” of the ministry team alongside your husband? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to be the “second-person” of the ministry team alongside your husband? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to be the “second-person” of the ministry team alongside your husband? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to be the “second-person” of the ministry team alongside your husband? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to be the “second-person” of the ministry team alongside your husband? Not applicable

* 27. The following questions will ask about your preparedness in regards to HOSPITALITY.

	Very prepared	Slightly prepared	Slightly unprepared	Very unprepared	Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within your home?	To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within your home? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within your home? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within your home? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within your home? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within your home? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to plan and cook meals for others within your home?	To what degree were you prepared to plan and cook meals for others within your home? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to plan and cook meals for others within your home? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to plan and cook meals for others within your home? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to plan and cook meals for others within your home? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to plan and cook meals for others within your home? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to provide meals to those in need?	To what degree were you prepared to provide meals to those in need? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to provide meals to those in need? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to provide meals to those in need? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to provide meals to those in need? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to provide meals to those in need? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to host showers, parties, or other events within your home?	To what degree were you prepared to host showers, parties, or other events within your home? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to host showers, parties, or other events within your home? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to host showers, parties, or other events within your home? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to host showers, parties, or other events within your home? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to host showers, parties, or other events within your home? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared with your involvement in mercy ministries in your church or community?	To what degree were you prepared with your involvement in mercy ministries in your church or community? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared with your involvement in mercy ministries in your church or community? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared with your involvement in mercy ministries in your church or community? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared with your involvement in mercy ministries in your church or community? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared with your involvement in mercy ministries in your church or community? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared to begin mercy ministries in your church or community?	To what degree were you prepared to begin mercy ministries in your church or community? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared to begin mercy ministries in your church or community? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared to begin mercy ministries in your church or community? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to begin mercy ministries in your church or community? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared to begin mercy ministries in your church or community? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within the church?	To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within the church? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within the church? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within the church? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within the church? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for overall hospitality within the church? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for event planning and larger meals/gatherings within the church?	To what degree were you prepared for event planning and larger meals/gatherings within the church? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for event planning and larger meals/gatherings within the church? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for event planning and larger meals/gatherings within the church? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for event planning and larger meals/gatherings within the church? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for event planning and larger meals/gatherings within the church? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for hospitality events surrounding births, marriages, or deaths in the church?	To what degree were you prepared for hospitality events surrounding births, marriages, or deaths in the church? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitality events surrounding births, marriages, or deaths in the church? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitality events surrounding births, marriages, or deaths in the church? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitality events surrounding births, marriages, or deaths in the church? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitality events surrounding births, marriages, or deaths in the church? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for those believers outside your church body, but in your community?	To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for those believers outside your church body, but in your community? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for those believers outside your church body, but in your community? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for those believers outside your church body, but in your community? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for those believers outside your church body, but in your community? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for those believers outside your church body, but in your community? Not applicable
To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for nonbelievers in your community?	To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for nonbelievers in your community? Very prepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for nonbelievers in your community? Slightly prepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for nonbelievers in your community? Slightly unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for nonbelievers in your community? Very unprepared	To what degree were you prepared for hospitable acts for nonbelievers in your community? Not applicable

* 28. Are there any other areas of ministry that you were not as prepared for as you would have liked?

* 29. Do you work outside the home?

Yes

* 30. If so, how many hours per week?

Not applicable- I don’t work outside the home.

0-10 hours

11-20 hours

21-30 hours

31-40 hours

41 or more hours

* 31. Do you have any children?

Yes

Please tell number of children and children's ages.

* 32. To the best of my ability, I have answered this survey based on how I feel.

Strongly agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

* 33. How could you be better equipped or supported as a pastor's wife?

* 34. A follow-up focus group will be held on Monday, June 11 from 1:30-3:30 at the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas, Texas. If you are available and willing to talk more with the researcher about her findings, please include your email in the blank provided.