A Noble Task

"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

"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

"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"

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"

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

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?

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?