Deacon disqualified

Tell them that it is not their business. Your Wife should have priority over church busy-bodies.

 

You and your wife should and must be on the same page when it comes to the ministry and the call of God.

First, the idea of submission.
You need to remember that Biblical submission is not the wife following the husband's orders, rather the wife submitting to the love of the husband. That is, the Scriptures specifically state that husbands are to love their wife, not wife love the husband. The more a husband adores a Godly wife the more she will respond in working hard to never embarrass and to please him.

Second, the life of the ministry is not easy under any conditions, and if there is resistance or reluctance in you life partner at this point, then I recommend you wait for them to catch up.

There is no reason for you not to do the work of a minister (ministering to your class) as a microcosm of being a church pastor. Certainly, you won't be paid, won't have certain benefits, won't have certain privileges, and won't be recognized in public as one having a position. What you will gain no seminary class will teach. That is practicle experience of dealing with joys and tragedies that are part of any work done for the Lord Jesus.

Third, don't rush. Be patient. The Dallas Theological seminary has much of their course work free, on line. There are others that offer the same. And it isn't like your graded or have to meet some professor expectations.

BOTH you and your wife work through the class work. It will not only enhance your personal knowledge of the Scriptures, but will give you common discussion areas that will help you and your wife better understand not just the Scriptures, but each other.

Lastly a warning. Put your wife first. Keep her first. Nothing comes before her. Not church, not other people, and certainly no other obligations.

More often reluctant and resistance are found in the relationship because personal priorities have become askew, and that is never good. It is more often a hazard and can be fatale to the marriage.

The wife is never to be second. She needs to not only be told that, but shown it in every day and way.

Trust this helps.

 

Absolutely gain education from Godly sources.

Above all study Hebrew and Greek along with history related to Israel and the Church.

RE: your wife

Prayer, God will open or shut doors.
Even a shut door - push - if it wont open, that is your answer.
No human being can give you the ultimate answer(s) you are seeking.

But human advice is good from those who have walked the walk to help you avoid the dangers.

HankD

 

If you feel called to be a pastor answer the call. It sounds as if you are qualified to start this change. You might run into some issues but in my mind the bottom line is to serve our Lord in the best way you can. My twin brother felt the call to become a pastor at age 42 and went to the SBS. I've pretty much taken the route you have. I've served in many different ways including lay preaching. I've found I get a great deal of joy out of doing the best I can.

I agree with the person who suggested that one option is to continue what you're already doing and look for ways to extend that. Another option for preaching is to preach at retirement homes. That's what I've done once a month for the last 6 1/2 years and occasionally before that. Retirement homes are always looking for a qualified man of God to preach. I could add another Sunday a month at a different home but haven't decided because that would mean not singing in the choir or going to Sunday School half the time.

 

Keep serving the Lord. If you feel the call of God answer it. Let God deal with your wife. God doesn’t call without providing the tools to complete the job.

 

This is excellent advice I wish I had written it.