WOMEN IN MINISTRY

Why do I write as much as I do?

I suppose that I have several reasons.

I write to preserve family history, foremost.

I write to share my thoughts with others – who may agree or take issue with my thinking.

I write to entertain! Use the ‘Search’ bar on my blog to explore the topic, HUMOR.  [You’ll find 45 posts listed on about five successive pages. 😉]

I write for pleasure to preserve my thoughts while reading scripture. [My ‘Bible Study’ notes serve as a great starting point for those who may teach or preach upon occasion.]

But today I write to clarify.

Like many others, I do not thrive on confrontation or conflict. However, I am willing to openly share my thought processes. It is – after all – important, at times, to take a stand.

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There is a topic that is frequently debated in our culture. The topic is whether or not women should be given the right to lead in ministry settings.

Take notice that it is a cultural debate! Other countries, such as the Philippines, do not see this as an issue whatsoever!  Women ministers abound in quite a few cultures.

For background, I was raised in the Free Methodist Church. It was founded in 1860, and has been ordaining women since 1911. 

But, I’m a free-thinker, and my thoughts are not based purely on my denomination’s stand. I’ve attended a conservative theological seminary and a liberal theological seminary. I’ve read the Bible through many times. I’ve led growing churches and have served with women in ministry and also hired women to serve alongside me! I served – for six years – in conjunction with a woman lead-pastor whom I highly value and consider a mentor!

My point: I’ve thought about this topic a great deal.

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Since my purpose with this blog is to clarify my process of coming to conclusions on the topic of women in ministry, I will try to be succinct.

It seems clear that sometimes we may come to different conclusions even after considering the evidence presented in scripture. This has been solidly demonstrated by the fact that we have so effectively divided ourselves into far too many denominations.

I have tried to form opinions on the foundation of God’s Word. I am well aware of the passages that are quickly quoted from the Corinthian letters, such as:

· “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” – 1 Timothy 2:12

· “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” – 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

· “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach.” – 1 Timothy 3:1-2

[This is a sampling only. There are other scriptures that convey the same thoughts.] 

However, there are other verses that seem to counter the thinking in the above verses: I’ll cite three of them, as well, for consideration:

>     “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.” – Romans 16:1

[We could extrapolate on the words used in the Greek text (of which we have no actual ‘originals'). However, this is not the place for textual criticism.]

>     “He [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” – Acts 18:26

[This scripture highlights Priscilla’s role (she is always named first – ahead of her husband) in teaching Apollos. It exemplifies how women can teach and clarify the faith, even while maintaining supportive roles in partnership with their husbands.]

>    “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.” – Philippians 4:2-3

        [This verse acknowledges two women who worked alongside Paul for the Gospel!]

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MY PERSONAL THOUGHT PROCESS

At the core of my discerning process was the clarity I observed when reflecting on the above scriptures AND those that I will now mention.

FIRST

I have always been deeply impressed with the prophetic utterance of Mary, the mother of Jesus, recorded in Luke 1:46-55. This has been carefully preserved for us in God’s Word. The words are precious to us!

Hmmm…the first words spoken under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – after Jesus’ conception – were divine words spoken by His own mother!

SECOND

I am struck by the message preached by the Apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost, when he quoted the prophet Joel, saying:

“And it shall be in the last days,” God says, “that I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour fourth of My Spirit…”

THIRD

The last thing to push me over the line are the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians:

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28

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 I think we can come to different conclusions on the topic of women in ministry and still have fellowship. I don’t think we need to exclude one another over this issue.

After studying in a Catholic community for two years and making MANY precious friends there with whom I worshipped regularly, we had to politely and with discretion, avoid the discussion of certain points from our various traditions. I was not going to change them, and they were not likely to change my thinking and practice. BUT, we had deep and rich fellowship and loved one another in Christ!

I hope my words today have helped and not hurt. I labored to be fair and gracious! I don’t need to convince anyone in order to have rest and peace of mind. Again, my purpose in writing today is to clarify how I came to hold my current position on this topic. Let’s put our hope in the following words from John 16:13,

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;

for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears,

He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

MINISTRY STORIES - MOVING THE CROSS!

When I was appointed to serve the Free Methodist Community Church in New Middletown, Ohio, it was the summer of 2003.  I had been serving as an associate in a large church in Akron, Ohio for the previous six years.  I had apprehensions about resuming the role of ‘Lead Pastor’. 

I decided to begin by not provoking suggestions of change since there was already a great deal of turbulence in this congregation, and I didn’t want to add to it. 

However, one need for change became apparent immediately.  

The use of video projectors was exploding during this time period.  The church was – at that time – using a projector that was set up on a board across two pews at the front-right of the sanctuary.  They were projecting on a standard-size three-legged projection screen that was set up on the same level as the pews. 

I suggested that it would be helpful if we could mount the projector from the ceiling and project on the large front wall above the pulpit.  However, there was currently an eight foot cross hanging in that spot.  But there was a large room on the side of the platform with a wall facing the congregation that could become an equally prominent place for the cross.

However, I failed to predict how controversial the idea of moving the cross might be.  Moving it from its central position ended up turning into a much-discussed issue.  Rumors were cast about that the new pastor wanted to remove the cross from the sanctuary [which, of course, was not accurate]!  The congregation quickly polarized over this issue – the very thing I had not wanted to happen!

Some threatened to leave the church if we moved the cross!

I was so disappointed to be the cause of so much disturbance when I really wanted to be a stabilizing presence!  I began to wish that I had not made the suggestion.  Making this needed change was certainly not worth further  dividing this congregation!

That’s when Bob Persing approached me.

Bob was a member of the founding family of this church many years earlier.  He was a highly respected leader in the church and community!  He gave no explanation, but simply asked if he could address the congregation the next Sunday.

Already knowing him to be a responsible leader and man of integrity, I told him that he could address our people following the offering on Sunday.  I admit to having some apprehension about his request, but felt confident that he had a good heart and trusted that whatever he needed to say would be received by the congregation.

At the appointed time on Sunday I simply stated that Bob had requested the privilege of speaking to the congregation.

He came forward to the pulpit accompanied by his wife, Marilyn.  His comments were brief and went something like this:

Good morning. My name is Bob Persing and this is my wife, Marilyn.  We represent the Persing family that helped to found this church many years ago.

 

We heard our new pastor’s request to move the cross to the smaller wall to my left.  We’ve become aware of the fact that this seems to have become a controversial issue among some of our members.

 

I am here this morning to give you some information.  First of all, it was the Persing family that purchased the cross!  It was also the Persing family that installed the cross.  I’ve discussed it with our family and we simply want you to know that the Persing family has no problem with our pastor’s request!  As a matter of fact, if the church Council agrees to move the cross, we will help with that project!  I just wanted you to have that information!  Thank you very much!

Within a few weeks, the cross was moved and remained there until a later time [after my tenure] when that room was removed.