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While many Christian church members and social workers would most likely agree that the role of the pastor's spouse is central to church life, few are able to define exactly what the pastor spouse role entails. Examining the pastor spouse role from the perspective of the participant, this qualitative study identifies a number of defining elements associated with being a pastor spouse. These features include (a) providing emotional support for the pastor (her spouse); (b) conforming to particular standards of appearance; (c) being capable in specific ways such as music, hospitality, career; (d) attending church events; (e) being an example to others; (f) keeping quiet; and (g) doing things like or being like the former pastor's spouse. This study provides a starting point for advocacy and future research for Christian social workers who are passionate about fostering a healthy congregational life.

Keywords: pastor spouse, clergy spouse, congregational social work, congregational life

Case Scenario

THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION HAS A LONGSTANDING LEGACY OF helping people in need through religious organizations. Indeed, providing services through charitable institutions has been cited as a precursor to the social work profession itself (http://ssw.umich.edu/about/history/brief-history-of-social-work).

As social work advanced and became more professionalized, social workers maintained their connections with faith organizations in several ways. For example, social workers have been active in training church members and clergy about suicide prevention, HIV prevention, intimate partner violence, foster care advocacy, and many other types of outreach (Adedoyin & Salter, 2013; Stennis, Purnell, Perkins, & Fischle, 2015; Tan, 2013).

What is less clear is social work's involvement in the professional or personal development of members of the clergy and their family members, specifically clergy spouses. For decades researchers and writers have documented life experiences of clergy spouses (Baker & Scott, 1992; Burton, 1999; Currow, 1995; Finch, 1980; Frame & Shehan, 1994; Gleason, 1977; Gunter, 2011; Hack, 1993; Knight Johnson, 2012; McMinn et al., 2005). With varied research and educational agendas examining issues such as physical and emotional well-being, life and role stressors, coping behaviors, marital satisfaction, and family functioning, the findings provide a concerning picture of life as a clergy spouse (Blanton & Morris, 1999; Blevins, 1997; Brackin, 2001; Darling, Hill, & McWey, 2004; Gleason, 1977; Gunter, 2011; Hartley, 1978; Hileman, 2008).

Particularly disturbing...

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