As defined by the Marriam-Webster Dictionary a “First Lady” is
- the wife or hostess of the chief executive of a country or jurisdiction
- the leading woman of an art or profession
It is a term that is used within many churches as a term of respect to the woman that is married to “The Senior Pastor” of a church.
There is no biblical reference to the term “First Lady”.
There is no official office within the Christian Church that denotes what the responsibilities of a “First Lady” are.
Personally I do not know when the term started or who started it.
I started going to church when I was 10 years old and every Pastor that had a wife referred to her as the “First Lady”.
When my husband became a Pastor I became a “First Lady”.
The Truth Is YOU CANNOT DEFINE A “FIRST LADY”. We are like snow flakes… no two alike!
What I Do Know Is:
- I received the title “First Lady” based on who I was married to
- People respected me as “First Lady” but I had not earned it
- There was a preconceived notion that I magically knew more then those who had been formally trained in theology.
- The expectation level for the “First Lady” was unreal and cannot be achieved
- I was automatically given leadership responsibility
Some will argue that because there is no biblical basis for a “First Lady” that the role does not exist.
I BEG TO DIFFER! My personal experiences tell me other wise and if you are one this site I am sure yours do too!
There is a place in the church for women like me and you and we have a role to play… each one different and the same.
Some of us a laid back, some introverted and shy, some talented out of this world, some educated, some not so much… some of us like being at the church and some of us prefer to stay at home… it doesn’t matter what kind of “hat” you wear the fact is that you got one!
Welcome to the First Lady’s Hat!
