Women's Ministry Studies and Activities
The CCCAS firmly uphold that ministry within the Samoan congregation is a family-oriented responsibility,
one that includes both husband and wife. Both the minister and his wife are important role models in the
Samoan church and society. While the academic programs offered at Kanana Fou are designed and geared towards students in their future role as ministers, the seminary also offers programs designed to train the student wives in their future role in the life of the church and ministry.
Respectfully acknowledged and recognized as the "Mother of Ministry" (Tinā o le Galuega), the minister's
wife functions as a leader, teacher, helper, and role model in the Samoan society. Programs and activities
for wives are tailored to coincide with the roles and responsibilities of a minister's wife in the Samoan
Christian ministry. These programs are specifically structured to prepare the wives in three major areas:
academics, worship, and practical skills.
Academics
It is very important for a minister's wife to be theologically and biblically train to assist her in her role as a
teacher. Student wives are encouraged to attend all course lectures with their husbands. Nevertheless, a
student wife can register as a full-time student after successfully passed the Entrance Exam, and other
requirements set forth by the seminary (see Admissions).
Moreover, student wives have theological studies of their own, conducted three times a week by the
President and faculty, in the academic areas of biblical studies, theology, and ministry.
Additional academic learning experience for student wives is the weekly sermon class conducted by
students, in which student wives are given the opportunity to critique students' performances in
administering worship. Sermon classes are practical exercises for the students wishing to be lucrative in
skillful preaching and spiritual discourse. Sermons are hypothetical mental and spiritual exercise, firmly
based in scripture and are structured around exposition of scriptural texts.
Worship
A greater part of the role of a minister's wife is her life of worship. She is to have an exemplary worship life
and should be capable in leading worship in the local, sub-district, district and national level. Development
and preparation of worship skills for wives is carried out in the following ways:
• Spiritual Formation Programs
Student wives take part in all worship activities of the seminary. They are afforded the opportunity to
lead in the reading of Scripture and communal prayer in Sunday services, and other major worship
services. Wednesday is assigned for the student wives to lead morning devotion and centering.
• Women Fellowship Service
Student wives have their own worship services and fellowships. These include weekly prayer meetings
and fellowship worship services, where the wives are the leaders and preachers of these worship
services.
• Second-Tuesday Monthly Service
The second Tuesday of every month is allocated specifically for women fellowship and service. Male
students are not encouraged to attend this service. Issues pertaining to women in their professional
development are key issues discussed and communicated in this special service.
• Sunday School Teachers
Using their academic and worship skills, the student wives alternate in teaching Sunday school in the
seminary, with the opportunity to conduct biblical skits, silent dramas, and hymns for worship programs.
Practical Skills
Student wives are taught special skills and crafts to assist them in the financial aspects of the ministry.
These skills are necessary for fundraising and other church functions. Some of these skills are taught by
the President's wife, with the support of faculty wives who specializing in these skills and areas which
include: sewing, elei, tapa designing, stencil printing, crochet, tie-dye, and many other handicraft skills.
Other important skills that student wives learn are floral arranging and social ministry skills. These skills
are developed through taking part in the Samoan culture protocol during various seminary activities.
Though student wives have to learn much theoretical knowledge every day in their normal routine and
scheduled activities, practical experience and skills are more important than the theoretical ones. There are
programs and activities designed especially to help student wives gain more practical experience in
developing a Christian spirituality and life of ministry work.