Separate Authority?

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.

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

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?

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

Poor Paul!

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

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

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?