10.30.2008

Inclusive Language

So, I just read a book on discipleship and it was totally addressed to men. It talked about choosing men to disciple. What he should look like. What gifts he should have. The list of characteristics used only the male noun or pronoun. What if a man picked up a book on discipleship? What if it talked only about choosing women to disciple? What if it talked only about the gifts she should have? What if the list of characteristics used only the female noun or pronoun? Do you think a man would read it?
Hmmm?

10.28.2008

A Radical Church

A Radical Church
Here is a little history that you may not know about the Wesleyan Church. "In the 1830s and early 1840s politicians and preachers joined ranks to attack the evil institution of slavery. Reformers Orange Scott and Luther Lee based their abolitionist position on the fundamental concern that those in bondage to other persons could not fulfill their obligations to obey God. Out of this theologically-based abolitionist stance, the Wesleyan Methodist Church was born in 1843."
If this history interests you, go to the link http://www.centerforwomeninministry.org/content/view/18/22/. Choose Women in Wesleyan Ministry - History (Gonlag).

Advocacy vs. Affirmation

I don't know if you have noticed, but The Wesleyan Church has recently begun to affirm Women in Ministry more than it has for several decades. However, I believe the Church needs to begin advocating for women and move toward actually paving the way for women to find positions. This can be done by current pastors teaching/educating the people of their local churches about the Biblical foundations for Women in Ministry so that they will understand why we believe women may be ordained and take leadership in our churches. It can be done by hiring women as assistant pastors so that there is a pool of women with experience to draw from when churches begin looking for a pastor. I would like to see the boards that move people through the ordination process be aware that women are left out of the loop. It would help potential female candidates if access to ordination was more transparent. I, along with others, would advocate that the leadership of the church continue the current trend of putting women on the platform at denominational activities. I also would like to encourage the inclusion of women in pictures promoting any activity of The Wesleyan Church.
Any other ideas?

10.27.2008

Affirmation of "Women In Ministry"

Here is a statement that should make us proud!
"In spite of some forces which seek to undo our long-standing position on the ordination of women, we refuse to budge on this issue—we will not tolerate the blocking of a person's ordination due to his or her gender, for we believe that both men and women are called to the ministry and thus should be ordained. Furthermore, we condemn any practice of exclusive male- only leadership on boards or committees in the church, excluding women from these positions by either public policy or unofficial behind-the-scenes agreed-upon policy, for we believe that when it comes to God's gifts, graces and callings, there is neither male nor female." ("Statement on Social Issues," adopted by the 1996 General Conference)

Women In Ministry

Did you know that The Wesleyan Church continues to affirm the equality of women and men, recognizing the right of women to “teach, preach, lead, or govern (including supervisory roles and board memberships),lead worship services or serve in any other office or ministry of the Church” (Dr.Lee M. Haines, General Superintendent Emeritus).