For God and Man: A Study of the Clergy-Wife

Abstract

The thesis captures the significant position of one of the most important and prominent women in the church- the Clergy-wife (CW). What this study set out to do was to interrogate the context-specific position of the CW in Ghana by exploring the roles, challenges, and privileges of the CW. I sought to find answers to questions on the roles that CWs played in church and the challenges associated with the playing of these roles. I was further interested in the privileges and powers which the CW had and enjoyed as a result of her position. The thesis used a mixed-methods approach by employing a survey, in-depth interviews and observations to collect data to answer the study problem. I adapted various concepts such as greedy institutions, the two-person career, the calling of the clergyman and femocracy as conceptual frameworks. These were useful in understanding the ways in which CWs engage in their husbands work and the consequent effects of these involvements. The findings indicate that the roles CWs played most in the church were the leadership of groups, counselling, and welcoming and serving visitors. Other roles found were visitations, singing, preaching and cleaning. While these roles were the most played in all denominations, there were some variations within denominations. Some challenges were found to be associated with the playing of these roles while it was also found that other challenges emanated by virtue of their positions as CWs. The study further found that being a CW did not only entail roles and challenges. They also enjoyed some privileges and derived power from their positions. The privileges enjoyed were the special treatments received from church members whiles joys were those intrinsic fulfillment derived from their positions as CWs. On the issue of power, the thesis found that CWs primary source of power was through their husbands. However, other means could be used by CWs to access more power or consolidate the power they already possess. The use of power was found to be a complex terrain with dynamics involving silencing, tensions and open conflicts. The work concludes that the position of CWs is different from that of other women because of their unique involvement in the husband’s work.