Can I Get a Witness?

Reader's Group Guide forThe Pastor's Wifeby ReShonda Tate BillingsleyDescriptionHandsome and charismatic pastor Terrance Ellis is beloved by the Lily Grove Baptist Church community. Terrance's commitment to his work leaves little time for romance and, to the dismay of his congregation and his family, he is almost thirty and still a bachelor. While the church elders and his elderly aunts vow to find Terrance a wife before the church's upcoming hundredth anniversary Christmas celebration, Terrance tentatively begins dating Savannah, a woman with a checkered past and a provocative style. As he gets to know Savannah, however, his relationship with his secretary, Raquel, begins to change in unexpected ways. One way or another, Terrance seems on his way to settling down, but the long-buried secret Savannah uncovers threatens to destroy Terrance's career and his chance at love.Questions for Discussion1. The church elders are extremely concerned that Terrance isn't in a relationship, going so far as to suggest hiring an actress to portray his girlfriend. Aunt Mamie says, "They think if you're thirty and single, something's wrong." Why are the elders so focused on Terrance's marital status? How is their concern different from that of his aunts?2. Terrance's friend Monty believes that Terrance can be a father to his child without marrying the mother. Do you think Terrance's decision to marry Savannah if she is pregnant is right? Why or why not?3. Terrance's aunt Mamie tells Savannah, "People can change. We don't believe you can." Do you agree with Mamie that some people are incapable of change? Do you think that under the right circumstances anyone can change?4. In what ways do Terrance's shortcomings help him to be a better pastor and a better man?5. Were Terrance's aunts right to interfere so much with his love life? Did your opinion of them change as events unfolded?6. If you've read Billingsley's novelsEverybody Say AmenandLet the Church Say Amen, you'll recognize Rachel Jackson Adams, the first lady of Zion Hill who gives a speech at Lily Grove's Christmas brunch. What parallels do you see between Savannah and Rachel? Why do you think Billingsley included Rachel in this novel?7. What did you think about the relationship between Raquel and Dolan? Did it realistically portray the horror of domestic violence? How did you feel about the dramatic way their relationship finally ended?8. When Terrance reveals his secret and ends his relationship with Savannah for good, Savannah says, "I just needed someone like Terrance in my life and people would stop putting me down so much....I know I try to act like it doesn't, but it hurts and I just wanted a different life." Do you have any sympathy for Savannah? Did she genuinely think a relationship with Terrance would transform her? Do you believe she will truly "find herself"?9. How does Grandmother Florence's past influence Savannah's behavior? How is it ironic that at the end of the novel, Terrance's aunts are more forgiving than Florence?10. What did you think about Terrance after learning the secret he'd kept for fourteen years? Do you agree that, as Eva says, "[T]his is worse than any prison [he] could've been in"? Do you believe that he has been punished enough?11. What does this novel seem to say about the nature of forgiveness and acceptance?Activities to Enhance Your Book Club1. Host a cozy potluck Sunday brunch or dinner (with or without Savannah's notorious hot wings). Visit www.food network.com and prepare tasty dishes featured in the novel, such as chicken Alfredo and lasagna.2. Tyler Perry's films contain many of the same themes found in Billingsley's books, such as spiritual awakening and humorous family drama. Host a movie night and watch the blockbustersDiary of a Mad Black WomanandMadea's Family Reunion. CastThe Pastor's Wifeand discBillingsley, ReShonda Tate is the author of 'Can I Get a Witness? ', published 2007 under ISBN 9781416521662 and ISBN 1416521666.