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About Us
History
For several decades, the Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association provided support for the entire ministry family; however, in the early 1980s, Shepherdess International was officially recognized as an entity of the General Conference Ministerial Association with the specific responsibility of nurturing clergy spouses and children. Marie Spangler and Ellen Bresee were the co-founders. Ellen Bresee served as the first Shepherdess International Coordinator, and Sharon Cress currently serves as the Director of Shepherdess International.
Mission
- To increase awareness of the value clergy spouses bring to the church. These women comprise the single largest group of volunteers serving the church.
- To provides support and encouragement to ministry spouses in their unique role.
- To promotes opportunities for spiritual growth, professional enhancement, and role development for clergy spouses.
- To help pastoral spouses understand their importance, recognize their unique spiritual gifts, and serve their church in the areas in which they are most comfortable, rather than being controlled by congregational expectations.
- To train pastoral spouses as paraprofessionals in team ministry.
- To provide fellowship and support to a group who have few opportunities to develop deep roots in one location.
- To produce resources to enhance the ministry of pastoral spouses.
MORE ABOUT SHEPHERDESS INTERNATIONAL
| Why a Shepherdess Organization? |
| What is the Difference between Shepherdess International and Women's Ministries? |
| Shepherdess Video |