NORTHWEST WESLEYAN "Women In Ministry"

2012-02-18T14:08:00.000-08:00

"So when Paul says that he and his fellow apostles were present among the Thessalonians like a nurse or mother, perhaps we should understand that there is something distinctly “feminine” about leading the church of God. And, that this femininity is part of what it means to bear the image of God and manifest the presence of Christ.

Who is the Father of our Bible? Who is the Son? It is not only the king and conqueror, but the nurturer and nourisher, the one who cares for and holds close. Not only (I should say, stereotypically) “masculine” but also the (stereotypically) feminine.

It is the God who is only rightly and fully imaged as male and female. Together."

J. R. Daniel Kirk

http://www.jrdkirk.com/

Liberian Women

2011-10-11T14:57:00.000-07:00

Very interesting article on the Christians for Biblical Equality site.

http://blog.cbeinternational.org/2011/10/exciting-news

2010-06-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Tell me what you think of this definition of feminism. Does it counter your understanding of what is Christian or does it reinforce it?

A Feminist is “a person who is in favor of, and who promotes, the equality of women with men, a person who advocates and practices treating women primarily as human persons (as men are so treated) and willingly contravenes social customs in so acting.” Leonard Swidler

Authenticity--

2010-06-09T19:15:00.000-07:00

1. Research on the attributes that we associate with "being feminine" tells us that the most important qualities for women are:

- Thin

- Nice

- Pretty

If you want to play it totally safe, you have to be willing to stay as small, quiet, and attractive as possible.

2. In my own decade-long research on authenticity and shame, I found that speaking out is a major shame trigger for women. Here's how the research participants described the struggle:

- Don’t make people feel uncomfortable, but be honest.

- Don’t upset anyone or hurt anyone’s feelings, but say what’s on your mind.

- Sound informed and educated, but not like a know-it-all.

- Don’t say anything unpopular or controversial, but have the courage to disagree with the crowd.

3. #2 applies to all issues, not just politics. When "being liked" is more important than "being real", we'll need to be very careful everywhere - at work, church, at our children’s schools, and on the soccer fields. It's exhausting.—Brene Brown

Do you find this to be true in your church work? If so, how do you overcome the tendency to try to be liked at the expense of being real?

The Eternal Subordination of the Son?

2010-05-11T12:38:00.000-07:00

Until the twentieth century Christians universally spoke of the “superiority” of men and the “inferiority” of women. After the 1970s, with the advent of “women’s lib,” Christians had to abandon this language, and, in addition, most abandoned the idea that women were subordinated to men. Conservative evangelicals, without exception, gave up this language as well, although some sought a new way to uphold male hegemony with more genteel wording. They affirmed that men and women are equals, yet God has given them different roles. This sounds fine, but when unpacked it means women have the “role” of obeying and men the role of leading; no other “role” is in mind. What is more, this “role” is permanent since God ascribes it in creation. Since God established this social hierarchical order before the Fall, it cannot be changed. It is the ideal. As this difference in “role” (in plain speak, difference in authority) is the one essential difference between men and women, to deny the permanent subordination of women is to deny male-female differentiation as such. This novel case for women’s permanent “role” subordination raises exactly the same problem as their novel case for the Son’s eternal “role” subordination. If women are permanently subordinated in role, and their subordinate role can never change, then they are the subordinated sex. They do not merely function subordinately. Their God-given subordination defines their person or being. They are the subordinated sex. Kevin Giles

The ' eternal subordination of the Son' argument is one of the issues that women face as they consider and enter the role of pastor or minister. It is the basis of the complementarian argument for the role of women and men. If you read the article you will see that he argues against the permanent subordination of the Son. In fact, he wrote a whole book on the subject called, The Trinity and Subordinationism: The Doctrine of God and the Contemporary Gender Debate (InterVarsity, 2002). It is worth the read!

Christianity challenged the primacy of politics

2010-04-30T05:15:00.000-07:00

Elshtain points to Augustine, Aquinas, and Luther in particular as Christian thinkers who challenged the classical elevation of the public realm that had as its necessary corollary the exclusion of women from political life.

Elshtain writes, "Christianity challenged the primacy of politics. It did not relegate secular power to silence and shadows as secular power had formerly relegated the private, but the claims of the public-political world no longer went unchallenged. Caesar now had to confront the formidable figure of Christ." Christianity bequeathed to the individual qua human being irreducible worth and dignity, and placed independent value on "the realm of necessity" inhabited by women. In so doing, it turned Aristotle "on his head." The Greeks had excluded women from the highest expressions of human life, action, and thought; Christianity smashed the distinction between higher and lower forms of human existence, with effects that reverberated through to the present.

BeautyTipsforMinisters.com

2010-04-30T04:47:00.000-07:00

BeautyTipsforMinisters.com
Just take a look. The site may not be to your taste and it might offend you, but the author does speak to some interesting clothing issues that women in the ministry face.
Beware...Not Yet Rated

Biblical Equality

2010-03-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

What is Biblical equality? It is the belief that people are equal before God and in Christ. All have equal responsibility to use their gifts and obey their calling to the glory of God. God freely calls believers to roles and ministries without regard to class, gender, or race. We believe this because the Bible and Jesus Christ teach it to us. That is biblical equality.--ALAN G. PADGETT

John Wesley's support of women in leadership

2010-03-13T06:56:00.000-08:00

The heartbeat of the whole [Wesleyan] movement was personal religious experience and its power to transform both the individual and society. Wesley was ready to adopt and adapt any idea that might further this cause. His chief purpose was to help the Church proclaim the gospel more effectively. The spirit of the movement and the vision of the founder contributed both to the acceptance and encouragement of female leadership. Wesley pioneered and sustained the revival. Women, as well as men, were allowed to express themselves freely.

She Offered Them Christ: The Legacy of Women Preachers in Early Methodism, Paul Chilcote. (Abingdon, 1993, 24)

Women-in-Leadership Scale

2010-01-25T12:04:00.000-08:00

You might want to take a look at Keith Drury's Women-in-Leadership Scale. Sorry, I was unable to embed the URL, but try copying and pasting the URL below to take a look. Let me know what you think.

http://www.drurywriting.com/keith/women.as.leaders.scale.htm

2009-11-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

From the The Wesleyan Church Position Statement on Women in Ministry:
However, we believe that all pertinent Scriptures need to be interpreted in the light of their immediate contexts, as well as in the context of Scripture as a whole. We also believe that no passages of Scripture clearly prohibit women from holding positions of authority. The passages that on the surface appear to do so are often twisted by interpretations stemming from biased readings of the text. In some cases there are faulty or biased translations. And in others there is evidence of localized situations that required special treatment that was not intended for general application. We believe that God has progressively revealed in the Scriptures His purpose to call, equip and empower women for full opportunity of ministry in the church. Galatians 3:28 states that in the Christian era "There is neither . . . male, nor female." This is a general principle of Scripture. Any Scriptures that at first appear to contradict this general statement must be understood in light of the general principle of Galatians 3:28. Clearly the spiritual and heavenly identity proclaimed in Galatians 3:28 has precedence over the earthly, administrative identity.
http://www.wesleyan.org/em/women_ministry

The discussion regarding whether Scripture allows for women to be leaders in the church always centers around how we interpret Scripture. If one supports Women in Ministry, then he or she is accused of using Scripture to support their position. The assumption is that to not support Women in Ministry is the correct interpretation of Scripture. Those who oppose women in leadership assume they do not bring their own belief or pre-conceived idea with them as they search Scripture as well.
Often the assertion is made that women who respond to God's call interpret Scripture to their advantage. It would seem that men who oppose Women in Ministry might also interpret Scripture to their advantage and it could also appear that this interpretation might be self-serving as well.
Just a thought for discussion…

Separate Authority?

2009-11-07T14:22:00.000-08:00

Equality in ability does not mean equality in authority. An attorney may be twice as qualified as any one of the partners in his firm, but this does not mean he determines the strategy with which the most important cases are handled. A physician may be skilled in surgery far beyond her chief of staff, but this does not always result in her choosing the procedures of the hospital. To say separate authority has been given to men and to women does not demean either
gender.

Do you think this is a legitimate argument as to why women should not be ordained ministers in The Wesleyan Church?
If women cannot have access to the same level of authority as men, does that not demean them?
Please let me know what you think.

2009-09-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

A successful woman preacher was once asked what special obstacles have you met as a woman in the ministry? Not one, she answered, except the lack of a minister's wife. Anna Garlin Spencer

Trafficking and Exploitation of Women and Children

2009-09-15T19:43:00.000-07:00

I just returned from a conference 'enlightening' us on the reality of Human Trafficking. It is surprising to learn how much goes on here in the United States. Of course, those trafficked are mostly women and children. I believe that one of the reasons it is so commonplace to traffic young girls and women is that there is such a low value placed on the female person. One of the chapters in our study guide was on the biblical foundation for the church's response to this evil. Another was on the biblical basis for valuing women. Although I found the text helpful for discussion, I found it also somewhat disturbing that such a chapter would even be necessary. It, of course, makes me think about how the low valuation of women is also a reason why people oppose Women in Ministry. Another interesting thought to contemplate don't you think?

What Does the Bible Say About Women Preachers?

2009-08-24T19:34:00.000-07:00

Follow this link for an interesting article on the subject What Does the Bible Say About Women Preachers?

Poor Paul!

2009-08-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

For more than a thousand years, the Church employed a Greek philosophical paradigm when it interpreted this verse. That Greek model comes directly from Plato and Aristotle who taught that women were defective men. It isn’t too much of an exaggeration to say Greek philosophers despised women, considering them intellectually inferior, emotionally immature and generally incapable of the actions and attitudes of men. The early church fathers were immersed in Greek philosophy so it is not surprising to find their exegesis reflects Plato and the Academy. As a result of this paradigm, the Church and the culture engaged in withholding education, development and leadership from women. Predictably, the result merely confirmed what the paradigm taught: women were inferior.

But Paul is no Platonist. He is a Second Temple rabbi. His approach to the role and status of women is based in Scripture, not philosophy. A thorough analysis of Paul’s full understanding of women would reveal exactly what he shares in Galatians 3:28. In the Body, there is no hierarchy! All the world’s false distinctions – Jew and Gentile, slave and free, male and female – are overcome and set aside. So, what do we do with this apparent misogyny. Skip Moen

Well said! Poor Paul. He gets blamed for the way women are treated in the church. But his position is worthy of examination. It is not all that it seems.

Vacation

2009-08-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

Well, I am back from a wonderful vacation. Among the many things we did and the many people we saw, I was able to spend some time with Dr. Mari Gonlag, professor at Southern Wesleyan University and the Director of the Women in Ministry Center. Had a great time talking with her and thinking about things ministerial!
Had another conversation with a young ordained woman, which again reminded me of the difficulties women face as they attempt to find positions of ministry!
Had some time with my cousins, one of whom was surprised that our denomination takes a stand against alcohol but ordains women. To him, that was an oxymoron. All I could make of it is that he associates the ordination of women with the more "liberal" denominations who started ordaining women during the 60's. It seems that our position against the use of alcohol would be considered a conservative position and the position that we hold of ordaining women would be a liberal one. Interesting, huh?
So, back to work tomorrow and hopefully I will get back to more consistent blogging.

Ministerial Ethics

2009-07-21T06:50:00.000-07:00

Ministerial Ehics

Did you know there is a link on the Education and the Ministry site that lists some important ministerial ethics? The link above will take you to an index. Scroll down until you get to "C" and choose "Covenant of Ministerial Ethics." Then scroll down to "E" for "Ethical Examination for Clergy." Some people might think that 'ministerial ethics' is an oxymoron. (Oxymoron is putting two contradictory words together.)
Ministers do not have to be perfect, but they really should attempt to have a code of ethics that puts them above reproach.
Do I sound old fashioned?

Ordained at Last

2009-07-17T20:04:00.000-07:00

Well, last night was the big night! I was officially ordained as a minister in The Wesleyan Church. We had a wonderful worship service and the ordination message was brought by our General Superintendent, Dr. JoAnn Lyon. Wonderfully inspiring! I was blessed by the support of the people of our Northwest District!

It is wonderful to have completed all the work and have it behind me. Now I am on an adventure to see where the Lord leads!

The "World"

2009-06-24T21:40:00.000-07:00

Also, I have emphasized increasingly the number of writings, by men and especially by women, before 1900 that have defended the full participation of women in ministry. This “answers” to a genuine degree that oft-repeated charge that Egalitarians today are simply an aspect of the modern feminist movement. Rather, I have learned by further study the depth of the biblical and historical roots of the Egalitarian position. David Scholer

The accusation that the affirmation of women in ministry is a result of the influence of the modern feminist movement is certainly an 'oft-repeated' one. Another way of expressing this perspective is to accuse a proponent of the full participation of women in ministry of being influenced by the 'world.' The Wesleyan Church may have been influenced by the first-wave women's rights movement, which followed on the heels of the Church's involvement in the anti-slavery movement. But the implication that The Wesleyan Church was influenced by the modern feminist movement can be refuted if one looks at how mute the church was on the issue during the 60's and 70's. Perhaps the church has been influenced by the "world," but the true influence of the "world" is visible by the church's acceptance of the 'world's" negative attitude toward women in leadership which translated into a reaction against women as church leaders and ordained ministers. The "world" has been struggling with women in the board room, women in the classroom, women as leaders in any field. The glass ceiling was first challenged by the "world" because it existed in the "world." It may have seemed the "world" was ahead of the church in raising the question, however, it actually was catching up with Jesus who always valued women and set the bar high for all of us today with regard to our view of women.

HERMENEUTICS!

2009-06-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

...What I have argued is that nothing in the New Testament itself tells us which is the most important or “controlling” text on women in ministry. Rather, this decision becomes a hermeneutical one, attempting to assess the context of each passage and its role in biblical teaching and seeking a balance of all (not simply a selective group of) texts. Further, one needs hermeneutical skills to assess the cultural contexts of passages written in first-century culture, in which, generally speaking, women were considered inferior, subordinate, not worthy of education and suited only to domestic responsibilities. David Scholer

Hermeneutics, Hermeneutics, always Hermenuetics, I say!!

Jesus the Christian Hero

2009-06-14T10:32:00.000-07:00

One particular issue to which I have given increasing attention is the oft-repeated Jewish charge that Christian feminism is a new form of anti-Semitism, by making Jesus the Christian hero who liberates women from oppressive Judaism. I have, thus, given attention to the accomplishments and positive roles of women in Second Temple Judaism before I cover the negative views of men toward women. Further, I have argued (in print) that Jesus is a hero to both Jews and Christians. David M. Scholer

This is an accusation of which I had not been aware. It is something to be sensitive to as we approach the discussion of how Jesus treated women. His treatment of women is very positive and is a model that is important in understanding the role of women in the home and in the Church. We do not want to minimize or lose the powerful image of Mary sitting at Jesus' feet learning as men did at the time. Nor do we want to miss the importance of Jesus speaking to the woman at the well and revealing to her who He was! But perhaps we should choose our words carefully so that we minimize any potential offense to our Jewish brothers and sister.

What do you think?

Male and female / He created them

2009-06-08T18:19:00.000-07:00

So God created / man in His own image, In the image of God / He created him; Male and female / He created them. Genesis 1:27

Although there is much debate about the meaning of the image of God, the Hebrew poetic parallelism clearly demonstrates that the female of the human species is created in possession of this same feature. She participates in the divine image in no grammatically, demonstrably different way in contrast to the male. Mary Hayter, when discussing the Imago Dei, says:

Whatever it is correct to say about the creation of the male in the image and likeness of God applies to the female. Anything and everything that may be deduced from the text about “man,” “mankind,” “humanity,” is relevant not simply to one half of the human race but to all men and women (Hayter 92).

Therefore any claims to variation of degree in bearing the divine image based upon gender distinctions should be rejected. Such readings overlook or ignore the plain reading of the text. The third line of this poetic refrain candidly recounts the creation of a plurality of persons, “them,” in genders male and female. Article from Wesleyan/Holiness Women Clergy

Help meet?

2009-05-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

If the Hebrew phrase simply meant “helper”, then could a woman hold a leadership position in the church, let alone a single woman?... In the beginning, men and women were both created in the image of God (Gen. 1:27), and they were created to be equals. They were both given the commands to be fruitful and to rule over the earth (Gen. 1:28-30). The woman was not created to be a subordinate helper to her husband. She was created as an autonomous being; she was a complete human being, just as the man was. Her existence was not dependent on him as his existence was not dependent on her: their existence depended on God alone who created them both.

Call Me What You Will...

2009-05-21T08:09:00.000-07:00

Call me what you will, but God calls me....

How would you finish this sentence?

Gender and roles?

2009-05-13T20:00:00.000-07:00

Marriage is hard even when both parties believe in mutuality and equality in marriage. Sharing. Negotiating. Swallowing your pride. Censuring yourself. Finding a rhythm between the two of you. Trusting the other. Forgiving. Letting go of the hurts. Overlooking. Growing older and changing. Finding a new rhythm. Renegotiating. Starting over. It’s messy, bruising work that wreaks havoc on your self-esteem and ego. But you can survive the bruisi-ness of marriage when you know that you’re not the only one in the relationship “dying to ego.” Marriage is about mutual sacrifice, mutually giving and forgiving, and mutually surrendering one’s wants and needs for the sake of the other– not because of some preconceived notion about roles and gender, but because you love each other, and because forever is a long time to be sad, miserable, and subjugated.

How much of the problem people have with viewing women in ministry as leaders is based on the these preconceived notions about roles and gender which say the woman must be submissive to the man?

"The Deeper Places Insider Her"

2009-05-05T20:10:00.000-07:00

"A girl, forming her identity also experiences herself missing from pronouns in scripture, hymns, and prayers... she will experience the otherness, the lessness, of herself; all the pious talk in the world about females being equal to males will fail to compute in the deeper places inside her."-Sue Monk Kidd

Inclusive language is more important than we may want to acknowledge. If the church is not contextualized for over half of its participants then it is missing the opportunity to minister to the "deeper places inside her."

Sermon

2009-04-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

It has been said, "A sermon is only as great as it moves listeners to do something. To become different. To act differently in the world. To change — self and the world."
How long (if ever) has it been since you heard a sermon on the biblical foundations for women in ministry? I would imagine if we started having some serious preaching on this topic, we just might see listeners moved!

Resistance from pastor's wives?

2009-04-26T19:25:00.000-07:00

...I am married to a gifted pastor but wondering whether my mate will get a real chance to maximize her God-given potential in the present pastoral system. This is no idle worry because I know of eminently qualified...women who have literally begged for a home mission church just for the chance of proving their gifts. In frustration, some have united with denominations that readily welcome their ministries. The other rub is an occasional sense of resistance from pastors' wives who may feel threatened by the egalitarian tenor of our marriage and working relationships. Some feel strongly that a woman's place is in the home and on ideological grounds, not evidence, suspect that our kids must be warped. They are not.--Anonymous Pastor's Husband

Hmmm...do you think the woman in ministry feels resistance from pastor's wives? If so, what a shame!

Is it sin?

2009-04-23T19:08:00.000-07:00

Anyone who resists the notion of women preachers is functioning as a tool of the devil...'It's one thing to be wrong, but that isn't wrong, that's sinful. The Bible says, 'neglect not the gift that is in you,' and when women are gifted with the gift of preaching, anybody who frustrates that gift is an instrument of the devil,' Campolo said.-Tony Campolo,

What do you think?

Why Men Should Not Be Ordained

2009-04-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

You may have seen this before, but I ran across this again and thought it was pretty funny and interesting. You can click on the title to see where I found it.
" Why Men Should Not Be Ordained " from The MENNONITE REPORTER, "Fly on the newsprint" by Ivan Emke (with acknowledgement for inspiration to Rosemary Radfore Ruether.)

Their physical build indicates that men are more suited to tasks such as picking turnips or de-horning cattle. It would indeed be "unnatural" for them to do other forms of work. How can we argue with the intended order that is instituted and enforced by nature?
For men who have children, their duties as ministers might detract from their responsibilities as parents. Instead of teaching their children important life skills like how to make a wiener-roasting stick, they would be off at some committee meeting or preparing a sermon. Thus these unfortunate children of ordained men would almost certainly receive less attention from their male parent. Some couples might even go so far as to put their children into secular daycare centers to permit the man to fulfill his duties as a minister.
According to the Genesis account, men were created before women, presumably as a prototype. It is thus obvious that men represent an experiment, rather than the crowning achievement of creation.
Men are overly prone to violence. They are responsible for the vast majority of crime in our country, especially violent crime. Thus they would be poor role models, as well as being dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.
In the New Testament account, the person who betrayed Jesus was a man. Thus his lack of faith and ensuing punishment stands as a symbol of the subordinate position that all men should take. The story also illustrates the natural tendency of all men to be either unwilling or unable to take a stand. From the Garden of Gethsemane to football locker rooms, men still have this habit of buckling under the weight of the lowest common denominator. It is expected that even ordained men would still embarrass themselves with their natural tendency toward a pack mentality.
Jesus didn't ordain men. He didn't ordain any women either, but two wrongs don't make a right.
If men got ordained, then they wouldn't be satisfied with that; they'd want more and more power. Next thing most of the Conference leaders would be men and then where would we be? No. The line must be drawn clearly now before it's too late.
Many, if not most, men who seek to be ordained have been influenced by the radical "men's movement" (or "masculist movement"). How can they be good leaders if their loyalties are divided between leading a church and championing the masculist drive for men's rights? The tract writers haven't pronounced on it yet, but the masculist movement is probably profoundly un- Christian.
To be an ordained pastor is to nurture and strengthen a whole congregation. But these are not traditional male roles. Rather, throughout the history of Christianity, women have been considered to be not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more fervently attracted to it. Women, the myth goes, are fulfilled and completed only by their service to others. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination. But if men try to fit into this nurturing role, our young people might grow up with Role Confusion Syndrome, which could lead to such terrible traumas as the Questioning Tradition Syndrome.
Men can still be involved in Church activities, without having to be ordained. They can still take up the offering, shovel the sidewalk, and maybe even lead the singing on Father's Day. In other words, by confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the Church. Why should they feel left out?

Women's Leadership in the Church

2009-04-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

An article from our Wesleyan Publication Wesleyan Life:

Leadership for Women in the Church

By Anita Carrión Quinoñes

Current opportunities for leadership for women in the church vary from country to country. Within any culture, the church can choose attitudes and actions that help strengthen it by recognizing the ministry gifts of both male and female members.

These might include the following:

Allow women to become ordained as ministers in the church, using the same requirements that are in place for men.
Respect any woman who is in a place of spiritual authority within the church. Celebrate her ability to obey God’s call on her life.
When a position of leadership within the church becomes vacant, seek God’s person—male or female—to fill that vacancy.
Accept spiritual instruction from women as well as men. The Holy Spirit uses both male and female leaders to teach truth from God’s Word.

— Anita Carrión Quinoñes, former national superintendent of Peru

from “Women’s Leadership in the Church,” Global Voices, edited by Joy Bray

I don't think sex plays much part....

2009-04-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

I've been a woman for a little over 50 years and have gotten over my initial astonishment. As for conducting an orchestra, that's a job where I don't think sex plays much part.-Nadia Boulanger (1887-1979)

--on becoming the first woman to conduct the Boston Symphony Orchestra, recalled on her death, International Herald Tribune, October 23, 1979

Nadia was the first woman to break this particular all-male barrier. Women have been breaking barriers for many years. Perhaps we should not find it so unusual that the same barriers must be broken within the church!

The Gospel is Radical!

2009-04-14T18:21:00.000-07:00

Have you thought much about how radical the gospel was in Jesus' and Paul's day? If it was radical then, it certainly is now as well. Below is a quote from an interesting discussion about Galatians 3:28. The author challenges the idea that when Paul says there “is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28), he is speaking only of access to Christ or salvation. Given the fact that this was written to a church that was having difficulty assimilating both Jews and Gentiles, Paul obviously is addressing more than just access to Christ. He was advocating that we are all one and our

...mutuality in Jesus weaves us together so that gender and ethnic differences no longer estrange or oppress but rather become the means of reflecting God’s presence, forgiveness, and love to the world...The gospel is radical medicine for a world divided by ethnicity, gender, and class, a world that, like ours today, emphasizes these differences in order to maintain divisions and inequities. -Mimi Haddad

The Dilemma

2009-04-06T23:44:00.000-07:00

So, I am still thinking about the problem of ordained women who have no place to serve. They have finished their training, some even have internships, and then no ministerial search committee or church board will invite them to candidate or even seriously consider their resume.
Many of these women give up and leave the denomination or just give up and do other things.
Does God call? Do women prepare? Then the church just refuses to even consider them?
I wonder about this...don't you?

Just a note about Priscilla...

2009-04-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

Women In Mission, a chapter in the book Perspective on the World Christian Movement, A Reader, edited by Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne, tells us a little bit about Priscilla, who along with her husband Aquila, were leaders in the church during the Apostle Paul's time.

Since Priscilla's name is always listed first, some scholars suggest that 'the wife was more prominent and helpful to the Church.' It is perhaps most interesting to note that her role in cross-cultural service, leadership, and teaching were perceived as so normal that they did not require special comment or explanation by the writer of Acts. Her role seems to have been accepted and expected rather than extraordinary.

That is our goal! For the Woman in Ministry to be "accepted and expected rather than extraordinary."

Her.meneutics

2009-04-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

Her.meneutics

What is your response when you see the word her.meneutics?
I got to thinking about the word when I saw Christianity Today's blog called Her.meneutics. "Her.meneutics is the Christianity Today blog for women, and provides news and analysis from the perspective of evangelical women."
It made me think of herstory vs. history. Perhaps it reminds us that women are (or should be) included in the study and interpretation of Scripture? Is it reverse sexism? Do you like it? Is it even necessary? Is it clever?

What do you think?

Nothing but jealousy

2009-03-25T02:12:00.000-07:00

The Pilgrim Holiness Church and the Wesleyan Methodist Church merged in 1968 to become The Wesleyan Church.
Here is a bit of history that you might find interesting and encouraging.

The Pilgrim Holiness church, founded by Seth Rees (father of Paul S. Rees, prominent in the founding of the National Association of Evangelicals in the 1940s), opened wide the door to women preachers who comprised 30 percent of its ordained elders in its early decades. Rees's wife served with him as copastor and coevangelist. Against those who opposed women preachers, Rees countered, "Nothing but jealousy, prejudice, bigotry, and a stingy love for bossing in men have prevented woman's public recognition by the Church."-Dayton, Discovering an Evangelical Heritage, 98

Who am I that I should withstand God?

2009-03-25T02:01:00.000-07:00

As a result of Wesley's changing attitude about the role of female preachers in his movement and the testimony of many witnesses to the abundant fruit of their labor, the English Methodist Conference was eventually led to recognize officially a number of these exceptional women. In these later years, when Wesley was asked why he encouraged certain of his female devotees in this practice, the elderly sage replied simply, "Because God owns them in the conversion of sinners, and who am I that I should withstand God"-Chilcote, John Wesley and the Women, 182.

First Women's Rights Convention

2009-03-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

Women’s Rights Meetings Held in Wesleyan Methodist Chapel-1848

"The first Women’s Rights Convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York, in July 1848, in the Wesleyan Methodist chapel. Four years later, when the New York State Temperance Convention refused to recognize delegates from the Women’s State Temperance Society or to hear Miss
Susan B. Anthony, Luther Lee defended the women’s right to participate. When his efforts to convince the conference failed, he opened his church, the Syracuse Wesleyan Methodist chapel, to the women for an evening meeting. The church was packed, while the convention was almost deserted." --Women in Wesleyan Ministry: A Brief History by Mari Gonlag

The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

2009-03-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

In an earlier installment on this blog (1/29/09), I referred to the misconception called complementarianism. This position is taken by co-authors John Piper and Wayne Grudem of Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: a Response to Evangelical Feminism. Dennis Bratcher of CRI/Voice Institute http://www.crivoice.org/index.html informs us about Wayne Grudem and the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood:

Wayne Grudem...happens to be the president of The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. That organization, whose voice is primarily heard in opposing women's involvement in ministry, has roots deep in the Southern Baptist Convention. Basically, the position of this organization is that all problems in marriage and family come from a failure of the husband to be in charge. Note one of their statements of belief: "In both men and women a heartfelt sense of call to ministry should never be used to set aside Biblical criteria for particular ministries. Rather, Biblical teaching should remain the authority for testing our subjective discernment of God's will." In other words, God himself does not want women in ministry, and any who think otherwise, no matter how "heartfelt" their call, are simply wrong. -Dennis Bratcher

Miriam

2009-03-15T15:25:00.000-07:00

"Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea." -Exodus 15:21

Did you know it was Miriam, the sister of Aaron, who sang this verse that we sing in our worship songs? She sang it celebrating the victory of crossing the Red Sea.

Deaconess/foremother

2009-03-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

Romans 16 is a letter of recommendation, the earliest letter of recommendation for a Christian minister, and it's written for a woman, Phoebe, who is, in the beginning of the chapter, said to have been a deacon, not a deaconess--but a deacon in the sense of a preacher, a minister--because Paul uses the same word for himself. He calls himself, in a number of instances, a deacon of the new covenant in 2 Corinthians. -HELMUT KOESTER

One of the common arguments against women in ministry is that the word deaconess is used when referencing women in the New Testament with regard to calling and gifts. This point of view defines deaconess as one who helps only, not one who leads. If women are always denoted as deaconesses and not deacons in the Scripture, then clearly they are not meant to be lead pastors or shepherds. However, this quote is from an article that refutes the idea that women cannot be preachers/ministers. The author makes the argument that translators have commonly interpreted the same word as deaconess for women and deacon for men.

So, it looks like Phoebe could and should be a role model for women. She is our foremother. By the way, my computer didn't recognize the word foremother. But it did recognize deaconess.

Hmmm....

I am neither

2009-03-05T05:39:00.000-08:00

I am neither a man nor a woman but an author. -Charlotte Brontë (1816-1855)

Do you ever wish that you were not defined as a woman but rather as a minister?

The Woman Who Forgot to Live

2009-03-01T09:53:00.000-08:00

The Woman Who Forgot to Live

First, I was dying to finish high school and start college.
And then I was dying to finish college and start working.
And then I was dying to marry and have children.
And then I was dying for my children to grow up and get out of the house.
And then I was dying to retire.
And now, I am dying…and suddenly I realize I forgot to live.

This is a reminder that we need to live now. We need to do what we need to do...now. Whether you are 28 or 82 it is time! As a woman in ministry, a woman considering ministry, a woman doing ministry, a woman considering doing ministry, a woman raising children, a woman going to school, a woman about to retire...it is time to do it now. Don't put it off. Don't wait until everything is perfect. Don't make excuses. Otherwise you will one day be dying and may realize you have missed your opportunity.

However, with this call to action, I must balance the above sense of urgency with a quote from the book I am reading for my last ordination course. Author Sherwood Lingenfelter quoting William McConnell in his book Ministering Cross-Culturing reminds us that time is a "gift from God, and that his priorities can always be fulfilled in the amount of time we have been given...God is lavish with his gifts, so that there is always enough time to do what Jesus calls us to do."

So, perhaps the thing to remember then is to not miss the opportunity given to us to do what Jesus calls us to do. He gives the time and the gifts. We just need to use God's gift of time while we are living.

I don't want to look back and realize I did not honor God's gift of time He gave to me.

Can a man represent Christ better?

2009-02-26T20:16:00.000-08:00

One of the influences working against the acceptance of the ordination of women is the belief that a woman cannot represent Christ because she is not a man. People often express surprise and some even express disbelief when confronted with this idea. I believe we should be aware of the argument or it will take us by surprise. In his article "Did Christ rule out women priests?" The catholic priest and theologian, Father John Wijngaards, delivers the argument. In the end he refutes the argument.

It is true there is no explicit teaching in Scripture that restricts the priesthood only to men. How then, you may ask, can we deduce that women are excluded from the ministry? Such a conclusion can be arrived at, with practical certainty, from the combination of the following facts:
1. Jesus Christ chose only men to be his apostles. He obviously did this on purpose and so fixed a norm.
2. The Church always followed this example of Christ. Both in apostolic times and in later centuries only men have been ordained priests.
3. A priest is the sacramental sign of Christ's presence at the eucharist. A man can represent Christ better because Christ too was a man.-FATHER JOHN WIJNGAARDS

However, after a very lengthy article Father Wijngaards concludes his commentary this way:

The question: Did Christ rule out women priests? I have answered in the negative. The fact that Christ chose only men to function on his apostolic team was not determined by his own specific preference, but by the social pressure of his time. In the circumstances Christ could not have appointed women to a priestly task. But in no way did he at any time rule out the possibility of women being ordained priests. On the contrary, the priesthood he instituted is of such a nature that it breaks with all previously established human limits. -FATHER JOHN WIJNGAARDS

Was woman created in God's image? Can women represent God? These are questions we need to be prepared to answer. Perhaps I will write more about them...

Are we embarrassed?

2009-02-23T17:54:00.000-08:00

As Methodism became established, following Wesley's death, there was clear embarrassment about the existence of women preachers (cf., Brown, women, p. 175) which led to the denial of ordination for women in the main Methodist church until the mid-twentieth century. While the early holiness "sects" were progressives, with as many as 25% of their clergy being female, this number dropped steadily as they became "churches." It is now closer to 5% (cf. Hardesty, et al., "Women in the Holiness Movement," pp. 244-46; and Dayton, Evangelical Heritage, pp. 97-8).-Randy Maddox's footnotes to his article WESLEYAN THEOLOGY AND THE CHRISTIAN FEMINIST CRITIQUE

The number has dropped in the Wesleyan Church. Is there reason to think it is because we are "embarrassed?"

89 year old female pastor

2009-02-21T16:50:00.000-08:00

I just had lunch with a 89 year old female pastor who is currently the solo pastor of her church. She was ordained in 1947 and has pastored in one area for nearly 50 years. She has always been a solo pastor. She still has a strong sense of her calling. Although, she states that she has not experienced some of the obstacles some have, she acknowledges that she was a rarity even in her beginning days.

I left wondering what I could learn from her. I think the most significant thing to me is that she is still sure of her call. She does not look back, and certainly does not wonder (and likely has never wondered) if it is okay for her to preach the gospel.

While we were eating, she counted (on her fingers) how many female ministers in various denominations there are currently in her little town. Guess what? There are 7.

After almost 50 years of Rev. Betty Miller ministering in this small town, I don't think that is just coincidental!

How would his Disciples have ever known?

2009-02-16T19:25:00.000-08:00

This excerpt might be helpful for those who think that the move to ordain women began in the 1960's as a result of the Feminist Movement. Margaret Fell Fox, wife of George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends/Quakers writes this article in 1666. After reading the excerpt click on the link below to read more of what she has to say about what the Scriptures say with regard to allowing, justifying and proving that women may 'speak'.

Women's Speaking Justified, Proved, and Allowed of by the Scriptures

"Notice this, you who despise and oppose the message of the Lord God that he sends by women. What would have become of the redemption of the whole body of mankind if they had no reason to believe the message that the Lord Jesus sent by these women about his resurrection? These women had received mercy, and grace, and forgiveness of sins, and virtue, and healing from him, the same that many men had also received. If the hearts of these women had not been so united and knit to him in love that they could not depart like the men did, but they sat watching, and waiting, and weeping about the tomb until the time of his resurrection and so were ready out of their tenderness and love to carry his message as it was revealed to them, how would his Disciples, who were not there, have ever known?"

Women's Right to Preach!

2009-02-09T21:38:00.000-08:00

In 1859, Catherine Mumford Booth wrote an article in defense of women preachers. The title of her article was "Female Ministry; or, Woman's Right to Preach the Gospel."
The title makes me wonder...is it appropriate to speak of it as a right? I find that using the word 'right' in relationship to a woman's position in the church is not considered the Christian way to speak of it. To speak of 'rights' smacks of liberal civil rights 'speak.' To speak of 'rights' sounds like an entitlement. To speak of 'rights' seems selfish and self-serving. To speak of 'rights' is perceived as a demand and seems to set up a sense of competition. How does speaking of "Woman's Right to Preach the Gospel" fit with the idea that we, as Christians, should not demand our rights?
Funny, we don't have a problem speaking of our 'right' to vote. Or our 'right' to 'privacy.' Or our 'right' to the freedom of worship. Or our 'right' to assembly. Or our 'right' of freedom of speech. Most of us do not consider these 'rights' as selfish, self-serving or un-Christian.
Is it really because a Christian should not demand their 'rights' or is it really that a woman should not?
I wonder...

There is neither male or female...

2009-02-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

Why the Best Man for the Job is a Woman: The Unique Female Qualities of Leadership hails the lady CEO as a sign of a revolution taking place in a corporate culture traditionally dominated by men. The world of business is changing...and it is women who are best suited to meet the challenges of the modern marketplace. Book [the author] contends that women such as Meg Whitman of eBay and Marcy Carsey of Carsey-Werner succeed because they embody seven uniquely female abilities: they can sell their visions; they are not afraid to reinvent the rules; they are closely focused on achievement; they show courage under fire; they turn challenges into opportunities; they are aware of customer preferences; and they maximize what Book calls "high touch" in an era of high tech.

Within the church, I think we need to be really careful to avoid the temptation to make the argument that women have uniquely female qualities that not only qualifies them to be pastors, but makes them better suited for the task. First, persons are called into ministry. Each person, male or female, is uniquely gifted for the ministry to which the Holy Spirit calls him or her. Secondly, to say women are better qualified based on their abilites (as the book review indicates) is to diminish men and their gifts and what they have historically contributed to the ministry. Thirdly, there should be no competition nor contrast and comparison. Fourthly, to speak of women as though they are totally different in their ministry giftings from men, is to minimize and isolate womens' gifts and still maintain the male model of pastoral leadership as the norm. The Holy Spirit is the gift giver and the One who does the calling. To make this argument does a disservice to those called into ministry and also to the Third Person of the Trinity. Women do not have to be better (or the same) as the opposite sex. They, like men, just have to be called!

"Separate But Equal"

2009-02-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

Separate but equal was a policy instituted in southern states which practiced segregation. Under the policy, African Americans and people of European descent were provided separate public facilities and services, such as schools, water fountains, and bathrooms.

In many churches, the "separate but equal" rule is alive and well. Those who apply this 'rule' attempt to convince women that when they are told they are equal before God-but have a different 'role'-that it does not mean they are lesser than men. They are just different! That has never made sense to me any more than it did to the African Americans that were told to use a different rest room or water fountain. When African Americans protested this practice they were judged as 'uppity,' as 'stepping out of their place,' as 'rebellious,' as not understanding their 'God-ordained' position in the world. Sound familiar?

New Testament Headship

2009-02-02T21:39:00.000-08:00

Please see the article by Gilbert Bilezikian from which I quote below: He gives some explanations of what "head" meant in the New Testament times.

"Eph. 1:22-23. The passage that immediately precedes this text exalts the supremacy of Christ in his session. But in relation to the church, the role of Christ is described as being appointed as head for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. The headship of Christ is never over the church in the New Testament. Here, it is for the church. As head, Christ gives the church fullness. He provides for the church's growth. The function is not one of authority but of servant provider of what makes the church's growth possible.

Eph. 4:15-16. Christ is the head from whom the whole body grows and builds itself up. The function of the head in relation to the body is to provide it with growth. Headship is not an authority role but a developmental servant function.

Eph. 5:23. The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which is the Savior. As head of the church, Christ is its Savior. If head had meant authority, the appropriate designation for Christ would have been "Lord" instead of "Savior" which is consistently a self-sacrificing, life-giving servant role in the New Testament.

Col. 1:18-19. Christ is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead. Through his blood, shed on the cross, all things are reconciled to God. In a passage that celebrates Christ's supremacy over all creation, this text describes Christ as the source of the life of the church through his resurrection from the dead and because of the reconciliation obtained through his self-sacrificing servant ministry at the cross. Headship is not defined in terms of authority but as servant provider of life.

Col. 2:19. Christ is the head from whom the whole body grows. The function of head in relation to the body is not one of rulership but of servant provider of growth. Christ as head to the church is the source of its life and development.

This survey indicates that head, biblically defined, means exactly the opposite of what it means in the English language. Head is never given the meaning of authority, boss or leader. It describes the servant function of provider of life, growth and development. This function is not one of top-down oversight but of bottom-up support and nurture."

HEAD

2009-01-31T10:08:00.000-08:00

A basic rule of sound hermeneutics requires that no biblical term or concept be infused with meanings foreign to it. For this reason, the meaning of head in the New Testament must be defined from within the New Testament itself. It cannot be assumed that the value of head in the English language as authority, leader or master carries over automatically into the New Testament's use of the same word head...it must be determined whether the word head, when used to describe Christ's relationship to the church, carries the same meaning of lordship or whether it is invested with a different value. The glib assumption may not be made that, because head denotes authority in English, it also does so in the language of the New Testament.-Gilbert Bilezikian

Can you think of a word that evokes more emotion with regard to men and women, marriage and the leadership of the church than the word HEAD?

My aim on this blog is not to write treatises or theses on the topics that I choose. Rather, my goal is to present thoughts that provoke our thinking and hopefully challenge some of the assumptions that seem to cloud our view on the 'role' of men and women. There are traditional interpretations of the Bible that can tolerate a review of their hermeneutics without challenging the authority or truth of the Scripture.

In my opinion, the use of the word head as it is denoted in English, rather than in the context of the New Testament, is one interpretation that needs to be reviewed and revised.

Complementarianism

2009-01-29T19:17:00.000-08:00

"...there is the novel post-1970s interpretation of a se-
lected number of biblical texts on women that is now
adopted almost word for word by all contemporary
hierarchists and rejected by all egalitarians. This says
men and women are equal, yet role-differentiated,
which, when unpacked in plain speech, means that
women are permanently subordinated to male
authority. Women’s subordination, it is added, is
not a consequence of sin or a reflection of cultural
values, but is predicated on a hierarchical social
order established before the fall. It is the ideal that is
pleasing to God and, as such, is unchangeable."
-Kevin Giles, Author

This 'novel interpretation' is actually the definition of "Complementarianism." It sounds really good when it states that men and women are equal. But don't fall for it. It is not egalitarian! The whole concept rises and falls with the word 'role.' It is interesting to note that the term 'role' is a not a biblical term. It is a sociological term and the use of this meaning of the word came into our vocabulary in the 1970's. So beware when you hear the term 'complementarianism.' it does not lead to the support of Women in Ministry. It actually serves to keep women out of the pulpit!

Ordination interview

2009-01-27T18:53:00.000-08:00

Well, I survived my Ordination interview. It is my last interview with the DBMD (District Board of Ministerial Development) before my actual Ordination this summer at District Conference. They are the ones with whom I have interviewed at least once a year for the last couple of years. I must say I was quite nervous, but as with most things, once I got started I felt better.

What did I learn that I can pass on? Well, make sure you are prepared! I studied The Wesleyan Discipline which defines our positions on the various doctrines of the church. It felt good to be able to reference what the Discipline says while at the same time give my explanation of what I think it means. I am more of a conceptual person, so I had to work really hard to remember the Scriptural references related to the theology. What are some of the questions? They ask questions about the Atonement, Justification, Regeneration and Sanctification, of course.

One interesting part of the interview was that my husband sat next to me as my spouse. That was really different given that I stood with him at his ordination many years ago. He normally sits as a member on the DBMD, but for this time he sat next to me and had to answer the spousal questions of whether he could support me. You will be glad to know he did! It felt really good to hear him speak of me the way he did.

So, I have one more class this spring and then onto Ordination. I am praying that my 91 year old pastor-father will live until then so he can pray over me. I asked him to promise he would live until July, 2009. Even though his health is failing and he is on dialysis 3 times a week, he promised he would try. You can't ask for more than that!

Holy leadership

2009-01-26T20:23:00.000-08:00

"I eagerly await the day when the church is able to stop asking whether or not women ought to be in church leadership and begin asking questions about how all our leadership, male and female, may be made more holy." -'Gifted for Leadership, a Community of Christian Women'

This idea of what a Christian, holy leader looks like is really very relevant to the discussion of women in leadership in the church. If the only leadership model available for women is to be the 'iron lady,' the tough, assertive female who is trying to be like a man, then the church will never accept women as their pastor/leader. The quote above comes from a blog sponsored by Christianity Today. The blog discussion of what a Christ-like leader looks like is worth reading. One of the commentators on the blog describes Christ-like, holy behavior. I think this holy behavior really looks good on both men and women leaders. Fortunately, leaders, both female and male, are called to the same standard of leadership set by Christ. We can all learn about holy leadership from the Head of the Church!

Imagine my dismay...

2009-01-25T18:22:00.000-08:00

I grew up in England with a queen on the throne and was educated at an all-girls’ school and women’s college in Cambridge by gifted females (and led to Christ by a female medical professional). So after becoming a Christian, imagine my dismay when I first joined a church where women weren’t allowed to do any of the things in which I knew they excelled!"-Jill Briscoe

Fortunately, Jill had the opportunity to actually see women in leadership. It has been my experience that when people see a woman in a pastoral/leadership position; a woman demonstrating her spiritual gifts and calling, then they are better able to recognize that God might just have called her into that position.

"Half-done, thou half-faithful servant"

2009-01-23T22:28:00.000-08:00

In fact, I believe I first have to answer to God for his gifts and calling on my life. I don’t want to get to heaven and hear him say, “Half-done, thou half-faithful servant.”...I don’t believe women should bury their gifts or let anyone else bury them. There’s a lost world (of men and women) waiting to hear what God’s gifted women have to say to them. The eternal destiny of these souls may depend on it.- Jill Briscoe

"In Praise of Women Preachers"

2009-01-23T21:32:00.000-08:00

Do you want a breath of fresh air? Then go to the article by C. S. Cowles, In Praise of Women Preachers. This will encourage you and give you some truth to speak to yourselves and others on this issue.

Do You Know These Names?

2009-01-21T22:51:00.000-08:00

"When asked how many women have ever been democratically elected as a president or prime minister, 66 percent believed there had been less than 10. In fact, there have been more than 50. Iceland, for example, had a woman president for 16 years. Ireland has had women presidents consecutively elected for decades. In the Netherlands Antilles, five female prime ministers have held office. Switzerland has been led by two women presidents." Kim Mance

Check out these names:

The Right Honourable Helen Clark, Prime Minister, New Zealand

Her Excellency Tarja Halonen, President, Finland

Her Excellency Emily Saidy de Jongh-Elhage, Prime Minister, Netherlands Antilles

The Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, Prime Minister, Jamaica

Her Excellency Dr. Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President, Latvia (1999-2007)

Click on this link for a longer list of female world leaders.
It is really encouraging to see this long list of women that are role models for other women. Dr. Lee Haines completed a book (started by his wife) listing a history of Women in Ministry in The Wesleyan Church called "Celebrate Our Daughters." Check it out. "This book honors and celebrates the daring women who have contributed much throughout the years to The Wesleyan Church." There are more of us than you think!

Ignored Talent Pool

2009-01-21T22:35:00.001-08:00

"When companies overlook women for executive positions, they ignore a vast talent pool and undermine their profitability." -Robin Gerber, author, Katharine Graham: The Leadership Journey of an American Icon

When the church is crying for leadership and overlook women...they too ignore a vast talent pool!

The Culture

2009-01-20T20:24:00.000-08:00

So did you look up Answering the Cal l? It's pretty cool, huhl!
So now that we know the history of the church and the church's positive stance toward women in ministry how do we change the culture in our churches?
Culture? What culture?
The culture that says, "Well, Pastor, we would hire a female youth pastor, but I am worried for you. What would it look like? We don't want you to be tempted." Or, "Well, District Superintendent, we believe women can be ministers, but we don't think we could follow a female leader." Or, to the potential female candidate, "How can women be leaders in the church if they are to be submissive to their husbands?" Changing the culture is not easy! But 100 years ago, it would have been difficult to foresee an African American president! That was difficult to foresee until it happened! This Presidential Inauguration Day should give us hope. So...I guess we just keep talking, teaching, educating, praying, hoping, doing, preaching and answering our call.....

Answering the Call

2009-01-14T21:08:00.000-08:00

If you click here....Answering the Call it will take you to a page on The Wesleyan Church's website. Look for the link "Answering the Call" under Women In Ministry and you will find a video well worth watching reminding us of both the historical and the current position The Wesleyan Church holds on Women in Ministry. This video was produced by the "Center for Women in Ministry" and funded by "Wesleyan Women."

Freed

2009-01-14T20:49:00.000-08:00

"While the church talks constantly about the world's need of the gospel, it's plain the church needs to hear it no less urgently. For only as the church hears the gospel will the apostle be spared seeing in the church what he dreaded seeing in Galatia (5:1); namely, those whom Christ had freed from slavery being betrayed into bondage by the church."--Victor Shepherd

The Feminization of the Ministry

2009-01-12T19:04:00.000-08:00

"The feminization of the ministry is one of the most significant trends of this generation. Acceptance of women in the pastoral role reverses centuries of Christian conviction and practice. It also leads to a redefinition of the church and its ministry...Furthermore, the issues of women's ordination and the normalization of homosexuality are closely linked. It is no accident that those churches that most eagerly embraced the ordination of women now either embrace the ordination of homosexuals or are seriously considering such a move." Albert Mohler

What do you think? Do you think that the ordination of homosexuals and the ordination of women are inextricably linked? Is there a slippery slope? If there is a slippery slope does that mean that women should not be ordained? If those who make this argument believe that homosexuals should not be ordained because of their sinful lifestyle, what does that say about the worthiness of women?

Come...follow me

2009-01-11T18:21:00.000-08:00

"Recently, I’ve been trying to picture Jesus. Really picture him. Not just slide into a lazy picture of the Jesus in countless religious storefronts on Mission Street… I ask him, “Do you know what it’s like to be me…And if you do, do you have any changes you’d like to make regarding your commands?” I ask because I find some of Jesus’ words hard and culturally insensitive. …Does the suggestion to serve others and take the lowest spot apply when it seems that we often start with the lowest seat—or no seat—at the table?" MORE THAN SERVING TEA

In the article "More Than Serving Tea" Nikki Toyama-Szeto wonders if Jesus really knows what it is like to be her. Sometimes I feel like that too. She found her way through that question as she began to realize

"that her gender and her ethnicity were not obstacles to be overcome but gifts, chosen by God so that I might know him better. They weren’t an after-thought but a grace he had given to me. My gender and my ethnicity continually lead me to a deeper understanding of Jesus. And his call to me is, “Even so…come follow me.” So I bring who I am and follow him." MORE THAN SERVING TEA

That is the best we can do. We can only bring who we are and follow Him!

Servanthood or Authority

2009-01-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

"Of primary importance in defining the scriptural role of women in ministry is the biblical meaning of "ministry". Of Christ our great model, it was said, "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). New Testament leadership, as modeled by Jesus, portrays the spiritual leader as a servant. The question of human authority is not of primary significance..." The Role of Women in Ministry

The question of Women in Ministry commonly devolves into a discussion of headship and authority. The question about whether women have the right or privilege to lead is always a part of any discussion about women in pastoral ministry. Headship is usually associated with leadership, authority and power. I am always surprised about this concern since Jesus--as head of the church--is expressed in the context of Savior and the giving of Himself for the Church (the Bride). He laid down His life for His Church...actually for all people! Perhaps the discussion of rightful authority is actually a human concern...

Is it really about your hair?

2009-01-08T22:10:00.000-08:00

"If I want to knock a story off the front page, I just change my hairstyle."-Hillary Clinton
Whether you are or are not a fan of Hillary Clinton, the truth is that many times during her presidential run the media was more interested in her hair and her pantsuits then they were in her politics. Sometimes this happens with women in the ministry. Parishioners sometimes speak of her in terms that seem trivial and miss what she might really wish they would notice. She is often judged by a different standard than her male counterpart. No it isn't fair and it could be considered sexist. I am not sure what can be done about it. Probably nothing. Hillary did not make it all the way and some are glad she did not. However, she did make it a long way and so can you, even if people only seem to notice your hair or your clothes.

The Center for Women In Ministry

2009-01-06T17:45:00.000-08:00

Did you know that The Wesleyan Church has a Center for Women in Ministry? Although it is located at Southern Wesleyan University, you will see as you go to The Center's website that

"contributors to the vision include general church leaders, educational leaders from all five educational institutions of The Wesleyan Church, and concerned ministers and leaders, both male and female. The Center is endorsed by the Task Force on Women in Ministry, the Wesleyan Educational Council, and the General Board of The Wesleyan Church."

Go to the website. See what resources are available. Most of all pray that The Center will be a tool that God may use to facilitate the ministry of women in the Wesleyan Church. Oh, and some money donated to The Center would be nice too. See below...

"Gifts of any size are tax deductible and will help launch this new ministry. Gifts in honor or memory of those who have served in the Church's ministry are especially welcomed. (Though this center is a cooperative venture between all the educational institutions of The Wesleyan Church actual checks may be made payable to Southern Wesleyan University, marked for "Center for Women in Ministry.")

Click on this link to GIVE.

Ordination

2009-01-04T21:09:00.001-08:00

So, are you thinking about ordination? Are you wondering how to get started? Go to the Wesleyan Church's site Education and the Ministry. This is a good place to start to gather information on requirements and the path leading toward ordination. This site will help you learn about the educational options available for you to complete your course work. Contact your District Superintendent. He/She is a good resource to help you get started. Your church's Local Board of Administration (LBA) will need to recommend you to the District Board of Administration (DBA). Then the DBA recommends you to the District Board of Ministerial Development (DBMD). Once this happens you will meet at least once a year with the DBMD. They will monitor your development as you proceed through the process. Any questions?

How Would You Answer My Friend?

2008-12-21T17:56:00.000-08:00

"I am working with a well-intentioned man who is considering becoming a part of our congregation. After exploring Wesleyan Doctrine, he is hung up on one thing- that we allow women in ministry. He believes that 1Timothy 2:8-15 is a clear Biblical prohibition against females in ministry"
....click on the link below to read more from Pastor Mark O. Wilson's blog. You can either add comments to his blog or to this one.
How Would You Answer My Friend?

Fear

2008-12-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about what keeps women from answering God's call into full-time, church-sanctioned ministry. There are a variety of reasons. Could I get some feedback from some of you as to what your fears are related to determining whether God is calling you or what are the difficulties in answering the call? If you are an "onlooker" but have ideas based on your observations of women dealing with this issue or the church's resistance to women in ministry, please weigh in as well.

Snowed-in

2008-12-17T13:22:00.001-08:00

In Portland, when it snows everything stops. Today is one of those days. Schools are closed. Children are sledding and making snow angels. All regularly scheduled television and radio programs are being overridden by local weather information. They are telling us to stay off the roads unless you really need to go somewhere. Make sure you have staples in your home in case you can't get out for a few days. If you do go out, make sure you know how to drive in this weather. Bring along a flashlight, food, water, warm clothes. Go prepared...as much as is possible. This made me think of women entering ministry. Heed the caution "don't go unless you really need to." If you do go, make sure you are prepared. Make sure you know how to drive; how to navigate the terrain of both leadership and opposition. Bring along courage, thick skin, scriptural grounding and an optimistic attitude.
Make sure you play in the snow too!
Soon, the freeze will be over and the sun will shine again and these hunkering-down moments will wait until the next snow. Just know it may snow again. And things may shut down and you may be "snowed-in" another time. But fortunately it is seasonal.

Catherine Booth

2008-12-16T21:27:00.000-08:00

"..when the true light shines and God's words take the place of man's traditions, the Doctor of Divinity who shall teach that Paul commands woman to be silent when God's Spirit urges her to speak, will be regarded much the same as we should now regard an astronomer who should teach that the sun is the earth's satellite."-Catherine Booth, co-founder of the Salvation Army with her husband

I do not believe the day has yet come when this is the case that those who teach against woman speaking "when God's Spirit urges her to speak" will be considered out of step with reality. Yet, as we continue to pursue our call we may help to move the thinking and perceptions toward that goal.

A Redeemed Community

2008-12-14T12:17:00.000-08:00

Genesis 3:16b: Also, to your man shall be your desire, but he shall rule over you.

"Some Christians have used this verse to justify the exclusion of women from significant participation in the life of the church. But the church is a society of the redeemed. The church should model the Orders of Creation and Redemption, not of the Fall. In creation, female and male are formed equally in the image of God. In Christ, the Redeemer and Lord of the church, there is neither male nor female. In the church, the body and bride of Christ, that should be the basis of polity and practice." -Joseph Coleson

The idea that we are part of a redeemed society should be a matter of celebration! Both male and female being made in God's image and then being redeemed fully back to that image is important to our understanding of the affirmation of women in ministry. So many times the sin of Eve, being the tempter, is used to show that women are weak and incapable of leadership. But we do not live under that curse! When people use the argument of Eve, the tempter, I need to remember that I am redeemed, and so are you! And so is our community of faith!

Assumptions and traditions

2008-12-13T11:03:00.000-08:00

"I believe we have seriously misread the relevant passages in the New Testament, no doubt not least through a long process of assumption, tradition, and all kinds of post-biblical and sub-biblical attitudes that have crept in to Christianity." N.T. Wright

This, in fact, is the case when it comes to a discussion of whether women should be in the ordained ministry. I believe that assumptions and tradition have the strongest influence on how Scripture is used to exclude women from the ministry. People will call the ordination of women unbiblical and accuse us of not valuing what the Bible teaches. What they really mean is we don't follow their personal interpretation of what the Scripture says. They perceive that their interpretation is really the "truth". They claim to "take" the Bible literally and accuse us of not valuing Scripture. May we always attempt to enter into such discussions with humility and as learners. May we never claim to have a monopoly on the truth. May we always invite the Holy Spirit in and keep our spirits pure as we seek to follow God's leading in this matter. Sometimes, I find this difficult!

Come to the Water

2008-12-10T21:00:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in reading more about women in ministry go to the Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy website.
The Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy represents

"seven Wesleyan Holiness denominations, whose primary objective is to enable women in differing stages of their ministry journey to discover a community of supportive and encouraging clergywomen from the Wesleyan Holiness movement."

I encourage you to visit their website and consider going to the "Come to the Water" conference April 15-18, 2010.

Our theology supports us

2008-12-08T18:48:00.000-08:00

"God will not go against his Word and ordain a woman preacher. If she claims she has been ordained by the Spirit and does not need man's approval, it is evident she is reprobated and working under her own manufactured alleged anointing. God is not in it." -Cohen G. Reckart, Pastor, (opposed to women in ministry)

You might wonder why I am quoting this same person...again! I believe it is important for us to know the type of hostility that can be voiced against our call to ministry. We can be silenced by those we see in authority and by those who use the Word to prove their point. Therefore, here is something to remember. Wesleyan Theology applies a Biblical hermeneutic that affirms God's call of women to the ministry. We do not need to defend the call. We belong to a church that defends it! What we do need to do is follow our call. Be encouraged that although there will be people inside and outside our church who may want to challenge us, the theology of our church supports us. We do need to understand our theological foundations, but the "field of battle" is about changing the culture of the church to advocate and place women in ministry and not about our theology!

Put on the full armor

2008-12-06T15:40:00.000-08:00

"The New Testament does not contain a single passage authorizing female preachers. There were no female Apostles. No female wrote a book of the Old or New Testaments. No female was an Elder, Bishop, or a Deacon. There are no ministerial qualifications for females in the New Testament priesthood. " -Cohen G. Reckart, Pastor, (opposed to women in ministry)

I am not sure what resistance to women in the ministry you have heard of or even experienced. Depending how you came into ministry, you may not have "hit the wall," but it is likely that you at least know that not all people think it is a good thing for women to be in the pulpit. There is cultural bias against women moving into these positions but there is also opposition based on scripture. This negative use of scripture is a very strong weapon and it is powerfully wielded to keep women in their place. One must be prepared for the "sword of scripture" to be brandished against one's call to ministry. As persons who place a high value on scripture, we are particularly vulnerable to this form of attack. Put on the full armor of God so you can resist those who would side track you from your call.

A Liberal Ideology?

2008-12-01T20:06:00.000-08:00

''Dr. Tilghman's [first female president at Princeton] administration has acquired a markedly different makeup that separates it from the traditions that have, historically, defined Princeton...There is an ideological notion -- unquestionably liberal -- within the context of women in academia that runs contrary to the Princeton of the 1950's and 1960's. It is impossible to divorce female appointments from overall liberal ideology.''-2004 (article in New York Times quoting Princeton student paper)

The first female president at Princeton (2001) was taken to task for filling 4 administrative positions (formerly held by men) with women. Sound familar? Interestingly, Princeton only admitted women beginning in 1969. (The Wesleyan Church has 'theoretically' been admitting women since the mid 1800's.) As we can see, resistance in the church to women in leadership positions is also mirrored in secular institutions. In some ways, it is reassuring that this is going on in other institutions. Unfortunately, we, the church, should be modeling a redemptive, forward approach rather than a reactive, backward one. Change is considered liberal by those opposing it. So, we will be called liberal, but we are truly representing a Biblical, Spirit-filled theology, not a "liberal ideology."

Christian feminist Critique

2008-11-30T23:53:00.000-08:00

"...the Christian feminist critique, if taken seriously, could help us in the Wesleyan tradition to rethink many of our practices and convictions with the goal of making them more Biblical, more inclusive and faithful to our vision of the Coming Reign of God."--Randy Maddox

So there is that "F" (Feminist) word again. Do you think it really is possible that a feminist critique could help us be more Biblical? I think it is possible that Christian feminist scholars could help us be more Biblical as they look at Scripture and emphasize its trajectory leading toward the "Coming Reign of God." This trajectory (recognized by both women and men scholars) has positively led us away from slavery moving us toward egalitarian perspectives of equality with persons of all colors. I believe it can do the same leading us toward equality for men and women both in the church and outside the church. We need to be reading the Christian feminist theologians. I think we might learn from them. Are you brave enough?

Business as usual

2008-11-28T08:22:00.000-08:00

"Cautious, careful people always casting about to preserve their reputation or social standards never can bring about reform."--Susan B. Anthony
Sometimes when we start talking about the inequities for women in ministry we feel like our reputations could be in jeopardy. We aren't very comfortable when words like reform seem to fit our situation. It sounds like we are complaining. It makes us feel like we might be perceived as radicals. But being too cautious could mean "business as usual." Is it worth protecting our reputations?

Baby steps

2008-11-26T16:03:00.000-08:00

"I can honestly say that I was never affected by the question of the success of an undertaking. If I felt it was the right thing to do, I was for it regardless of the possible outcome."—Golda Meir
This is called commitment. Ours to is to be called and to follow, regardless the outcome. This is difficult for many of us because our roads have been blocked. Our gifts unrecognized. Our calls not honored. Do you have the call of the Holy Spirit upon your life? God does not call us to "success" (whatever that is), God calls us to be obedient and faithful. Thus we must take steps forward, baby steps maybe, but steps nevertheless.

Does he play the piano,,,

2008-11-25T20:59:00.000-08:00

"Somewhere out in this audience may even be someone who will one day follow in my footsteps, and preside over the White House as the President's spouse. I wish him well!"-Barbara Bush
The reason this is clever is because it surprises us. Of course, we expected Barbara to say "I wish her well." The assumption is that the president is a man. How often have we thought of the pastor as a man and the pastor's spouse as a wife? What behaviors, language and assumptions would we need to change to deal with the pastor's husband? We would begin to introduce the pastor and her husband. We would talk about the pastor's husband and children. I wonder, would the pastor's husband be expected to host the parsonage events? Do you think the pastoral search committees would ask "what does your husband do? Does he work outside the home? Does he play the piano?"

Well, we tried that once.

2008-11-24T17:39:00.000-08:00

"I will feel equality has arrived when we can elect to office women who are as incompetent as some of the men who are already there."- Maureen Reagan
It does seem to be true that for a woman to be offered a place of ministry leadership she is held to the highest standard. She must be exceptional. She must be a proven commodity. However, if a woman does not "succeed" in ministry, it is often said, "well, we tried that once." If that was said every time a man did not succeed, there would be no pastors...anywhere.

What Choice Do I Have?

2008-11-23T20:30:00.000-08:00

"When people ask me why I am running as a woman, I always answer, 'What choice do I have?' "-Pat Schroeder, US Congresswoman
We are a denomination that believes that God calls people, both men and women, into pastoral leadership. If I am called by the Holy Spirit and affirmed by the Church, and I am a woman, then what choice do I have? It is really that simple!

The "F" Word

2008-11-22T16:52:00.000-08:00

The "F" word is no longer a four letter word. It is also an eight letter word...
F-e-m-i-n-i-s-t. The term feminist is associated with all that is bad related to the women's movement of the '60's and '70's. Those opposed to women in ministry often negatively associate the term with those who advocate for the leadership of women in church. The word is used to marginalize both the position and the person. Thus "feminism is a term and concept that is in need of redemption from misconception." What do you do if you are called a feminist? Don't worry about it. Embrace it. You define it!
Define it this way...if you mean by feminist that it "is the radical notion that women and men are of equal value, dignity, and worth...[and] that females and males are not only equally gifted, but also equally responsible agents in the body of Christ" then I am a feminist! Feminist, in this sense of the word then, is a very Christian term.
Do you think Jesus could have been the first feminist?

SIN

2008-11-20T20:52:00.001-08:00

So...some people think that the prejudice against women in public ministry is actual sin. It is not just a mistaken idea or an ignorant point of view. It is a sin that calls for repentance. It is not unlike the sin of slavery. Christians have repented and continue to repent for the sin of slavery that was perpetrated in this country. Do you think prejudice against women in public ministry is a sin? To call it a sin is pretty heavy, don't you think? Does it require repentance? Mirriam-Webster defines repentance as: "1. to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life. 2. a: to feel regret or contrition b: to change one's mind."
What would happen if we and our church repented of this sin?

Now You Know

2008-11-19T21:09:00.000-08:00

Jo Anne Lyon
Have you heard? This summer The Wesleyan Church elected a woman, Jo Anne Lyon, as one of the triumvirate General Superintendents of our church. We are excited for what she brings to our church. As the founder and former CEO of World Hope International she has a worldview that I know will influence the church positively. We know that it is important that women and men, young girls and young boys have models of women in leadership. We hope that with a woman "at the top" this will be the model that our church needs to encourage women into leadership at all levels of the church. Now that you know, tell someone else.

Think of Something Radical

2008-11-18T19:15:00.000-08:00

"Women are entitled to equality of opportunity for employment in government and in industry. But a mere statement supporting equality of opportunity must be implemented by affirmative steps to see that the doors are really open for training, selection, advancement, and equal pay." -President John F. Kennedy, 1961
Mere statements are not enough. The Wesleyan Church also needs to make sure that the doors are really open for the equality of opportunity for women. What do you think would be an affirmative step? I dare you to think of something radical!

A Noble Task

2008-11-17T20:27:00.000-08:00

"Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task." -1 Timothy 3:1 (TNIV)
This scripture inspires me!

Prejudice Against Women

2008-11-16T21:25:00.000-08:00

"Prejudice against blacks is becoming unacceptable although it will take years to eliminate it. But it is doomed because, slowly, white America is beginning to admit that it exists. Prejudice against women is still acceptable. There is very little understanding yet of the immorality involved in double pay scales and the classification of most of the better jobs as "for men only." (1969) –Shirley Chisholm
Studies show that although there are more women preparing to enter positions as pastors, the opportunities are limited as the pastoral ministry still seems to be "for men only." Prejudice against women shows itself in the difficulty of even being considered for a position and it is evident in the lower pay women receive when they are able to acquire a position. I am reminded that we still have a long way to go. Therefore, we as women need to support each other in this "uphill" struggle to answer God's call on our lives. We need our men to support us. It is our responsibility to educate our friends, our family and our church about the Biblical hermeneutic that supports that call. And then we need to pray that enough light will be shed on this prejudice (sin?) that some day the position of pastor will not be "for men only" but will be equally open to all persons.

That Hair Across Your Cheek

2008-11-12T20:58:00.000-08:00

"Sometimes, it's like a hair across your cheek. You can't see it, you can't find it with your fingers, but you keep brushing at it because the feel of it is irritating" –Marian Anderson
Do you feel that hair across your cheek when pastors are referred to as men; when young men (not young women) are encouraged to pursue ministry; when people refer to Pastor's and Wives Retreats rather than Pastor's and Spouses Retreats; when you are overlooked for ministry opportunities? It seems so small doesn't it? It is just one strand of hair. I know someone who likes hair tickling her face, she doesn't find it irritating. I must admit I don't understand that. Does that strand of hair bother you? Are you able to brush it away? Or do you just keep brushing at it, unable to remove it?

"I Suffer Not a Woman"

2008-11-09T17:41:00.000-08:00

1 Tim 2:12 "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." KJV
1 Cor. 14:34 "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak;" KJV
The above scriptures are most often referenced in the argument denying women leadership and ordination in the church. I present a quote from David L. Thompson."If 1 Tim. 2 and 1 Cor. 14 did expressly forbid the ordination of women (which they do not)...which texts are to be read in light of which? What sense do we make of the Bible as a whole on this question? Do we read the entire Bible in light of these two problematic texts, or do we read these two texts in light of the rest of the Bible?"
Using these scriptures without the context of the whole of scripture is called "proof texting" It is helpful to be prepared to "defend" against such arguments. It not only helps you to stand, but it also helps others to understand the Biblical foundations. Are we prepared?

"In women, courage is often mistaken for insanity"

2008-11-08T09:18:00.000-08:00

I have been pondering the quote from the movie "Iron Jawed Angels" to which I refer in the previous post. "In women, courage is often mistaken for insanity". This poignant phrase was the response of the male actor playing the doctor who, after examining the women, defended them before the power brokers who were opposing their efforts. These women had stepped out of their prescribed roles to forcefully challenge the fact that the privileges of the Constitution (that America was promoting all over the world) was denied them. Do people you know think you are "insane" for asking that the privilege of responding to the call of the Holy Spirit (based on our "Constitution", the Bible, that we promote all over the world) be afforded women as well?

Women's Suffrage

2008-11-07T22:39:00.000-08:00

88 years ago, on August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. It granted women the right to vote. The struggle for Women's Suffrage lasted for more than half a century (some say it lasted for 70 years, that would mean that it began around 1850)! This week, as the Presidential election has just finished, I have been thinking about the movie "Iron Jawed Angels." It is about the American Women's Suffrage movement during the early 1900s. It was very moving and thought-provoking to watch the passion, determination and actual physical suffering these women went through to get the vote. This is a right we take for granted today. Are we women who feel called into the ministry in a parallel situation? It seems that passion, determination (I hope not physical suffering) are required to push through to answer God's call on our lives. Is it possible that someday there will be women who will enter the ministry totally unaware of those who went before them; women who blazed the trail? Wouldn't it be great if someday women just "took it for granted" that they could minister?

Gender differences?

2008-11-05T21:55:00.000-08:00

I have been reading a book ("Gender and Work" by Edward C. Lehman, Jr.) outlining various views on the way women and men approach ministry. Some claim that there are substantial differences in their approaches. If this is so, are the differences really based on gender differences or just differences in personality? Is it helpful to accentuate the differences (what unique characteristics and giftings women bring to ministry)? Is it more helpful to try to fit in and be like men? Is there a balance? What do you think?