Pastoral Well-Being Survey 2014 [for pastors wives] Section 1: Personal 1. How old are you? under 30yrs 30-39yrs 40-49yrs 50-59yrs 60yrs or above 2. How many children do you have in the following age groups? under 5yrs 5-10yrs 11-15yrs 16-20yrs 21yrs & over 3. Do you have a paid job? (full-time or part-time) No Yes, with the church Yes, with another employer 4. If your husband is aged 60 years or over, would you value the opportunity of a preretirement conference? Yes, for both of us Yes, just for him No Section 2: Involvement in Church Ministry 1. What church activities are you involved with? (tick all that apply) crèche children s work youth work hospitality administration teaching women one-to-one ministry care for the sick/elderly other (please specify below)
2. Are you recognised as having responsibility for ministry amongst women in your church? Yes, it s pretty much just me Yes, but I m not the only person No 3. How do the church s expectations of your role as a pastor s wife match up to how you see your role? The church expects more than I m able to do We have roughly the same expectations The church doesn t expect much, so I m able to do as much or as little as I like 4. What training have you had to help develop your gifts and the ministries in which you are involved? (please state whether the training was in your current church, previous church or another context) 5. How well do you feel supported by your church? I think they are very supportive, particularly in view of my husband s role I think they treat me the same as other women in the church I think they view me with suspicion I think they isolate me and I feel alone Section 3: Involvement in your Husband s Ministry 1. To what extent are you involved in your husband s ministry? actively (e.g. I makes pastoral visits with my husband) passively (e.g. I take an interest but am not directly involved) not at all (e.g. we avoid talking about it) 2. Do you get to hear preachers other than your husband? Yes, often Sometimes Rarely Never
3. Does your husband seek your advice / feedback on his preaching? Yes, often Sometimes Rarely Never 4. How often do you wish your husband could leave full-time Christian ministry? Often Sometimes Rarely Never 5. How content are you at your present church? (1 = not at all, 10 = extremely content) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Section 4: Spiritual Formation 1. How do you find being a pastor s wife affects your personal relationship with Jesus? It makes it a struggle It s hard but possible It doesn t make it easier or harder It actually helps my relationship with Jesus 2. As you reflect on the past year, what evidences of spiritual growth can you find in your life? 3. What issues are you currently wrestling with? (select all that apply) perfectionism overwork eating issues anger internet porn envy bitterness extra-marital attraction same-sex attraction laziness cynicism other (please specify below)
4. What resources have most helped you in your Christian walk in the past year? (e.g. specific books, blogs, websites, podcasts, sermons, articles, magazines, etc.) 5. Which Christian conferences and activities do you get the opportunity to be a part of? A support/prayer group with other pastors wives or women in vocational ministry A support/prayer group with other women in church A support/prayer group with other women (unrelated to church or role) Women s Convention (e.g. London Women s Convention) FIEC Leaders Conference FIEC Pastors Network Day Conference A regional ministry wives conference Proclamation Trust Ministers Wives Conference Pastoral Refreshment Conference other (please specify) Section 5: Home Life 1. How do you feel about the demands placed on your marriage/family because of your husband s ministry? I m fully supportive I m supportive but I do question it at times I understand but would prefer it to be different I feel like it may be too much I know it s totally unsustainable 2. As a couple, do you and your husband have others outside your church with whom you can discuss the challenges and stresses of ministry? Yes No
3. Would you know who to turn to if you were really worried about your husband, your marriage or your family? Yes No Section 6: Self Care & Awareness 1. How many friends do you have who you see at least once a month who recharge your batteries? none one two three four or more 2. How often are you able to enjoy free time with your family or friends? multiple times per week once a week once a fortnight once a month rarely never 3. How would you describe yourself at the moment? (pick the one word that fits best) thriving depressed struggling disillusioned content lonely thankful hopeful other (please specify)
4. How do you think other people see you? (pick all that apply) easy to get on with introverted task-oriented impatient empathetic patient extroverted people-oriented bossy inspiring busy inflexible 5. How do you cope with feelings of disappointment or failure in life and ministry? 6. How do you respond to criticism about your husband s ministry? (pick all that apply) It makes me angry It upsets me I don t mind it It helps me to think through issues I expect it and process it carefully I ignore it I try not to respond until I ve spoken to someone else Section 7: Finally 1. How long did it take you to complete this survey? less than 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 4 hours more than 4 hours 2. Looking back on this survey, how do you feel about your life and ministry? encouraged discouraged 3. Did you discuss your answers to this survey with your husband? Yes No Not yet, but I will
4. Did you discuss your answers to this survey with anyone else? Yes No Not yet, but I will 5. In response to this survey, will you make any changes in your life or ministry? If so, how? If you would like to receive updates for women in ministry then visit our website (www.fiec.org.uk) and click on Receive our newsletters at the very top of the page. You can choose to receive the for women email, which will begin later this year, along with the other FIEC newsletters.