January 2, 2012
If you have followed this at all, you know that ny church has been having discussions and voting about women in pulpit ministry. The final result is that the vote has passed, and we will move to the next phase. This will undoubtedly be a fascinating, and at times tumultuos undertaking. I'm in the mix of what's happening and will keep you updated on our progress- the curch's and my own. Pray.
What's bothering me this week about the process? (4-12-11)
Disclaimer: This will have a little different flavor and feeling than the rest of the blog. For those who may read the rest of the blog on a regular basis, this is issue of women in the pulpit is being discussed within my own church. You may have an opinion about this, or not care at all. In either case, feel free to comment as the discussion moves forward. I am expressing my own personal opinion from my own “bully pulpit,” so to speak. I have intentionally separated this from the remainder of the blog.
What’s bothering me this week about the process…
If a man approached the pastor or deacons, feeling the call to ministry, there would be little, if any discussion. If there was a man within the congregation who wanted the job, and could do the job, we wouldn’t be on this path right now.
Check out the story of Deborah in Judges Chapters 4 and 5.
I’m just sayin…..............
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Personal Commentary on Women in the ministry:
What's my stake in this discussion? Or Do I have a dog in this fight, or a horse in this race? (3-11)
Disclaimer: This will have a little different flavor and feeling than the rest of the blog. For those who may read the rest of the blog on a regular basis, this is issue of women in the pulpit is being discussed within my own church. You may have an opinion about this, or not care at all. In either case, feel free to comment as the discussion moves forward. I am expressing my own personal opinion from my own “bully pulpit,” so to speak. I have intentionally separated this from the remainder of the blog.
I think far too often in the church, we approach questions like this as an all or none proposition. The issue when viewed through this narrow lens becomes a hotbed of emotion. The bottom line with this kind of thinking is that if a woman is allowed to enter the pulpit, we worry that she will ultimately become the lead pastor or the senior pastor, and in due course take the attendant authority associated therewith. In short, she will rule over the men in the church…let’s say it plainly.
The critical question that I must come to terms with during this debate is, "Do I have a dog in this fight?" Can I divorce my own personal sense of calling, desires and preconceptions entirely from the subject at hand? My brain would like to say, "Yes I can," but my heart says, "No!"
I am truly blessed and very fortunate. I am woman who has been graced with a few gifts of the Spirit. Does this then mean that I will fight for this cause because it will prove to be self-serving? Not, necessarily. I think I am capable of investigating scripture and arguments dispassionately enough to give wise counsel to our congregation. In plain English, do I care about this because I will be that woman pastor? No. That is not my decision to make or try to force to come about. This really has little to do with me. I think I am capable of divorcing myself from any agenda other than figuring out what is best for our people.
But, I think there are still several issues with which we must come to terms. Here is a sampling of the questions that come to my mind:
1. Should a woman be allowed (in our church) to preach and "rightly divide the word of God" ever?
2. If she is allowed to and is capable of preaching, can she stand in the pulpit; or is there something additional that allows for only males to occupy this specific space, this hallowed ground?
3. Assuming that we can get past the first two points, can a woman now be our associate pastor? This would give her authority through and by her pastor. What limitations or stipulations come with this?
4. If something were to happen to the senior pastor, can she now occupy the pulpit? Does she occupy it until another qualified man is found? Must she leave the office, as she now has no lead pastor?
5. This question has to do with fellowship with other churches: If a women is lead pastor at her own church, does she become "less-than" by crossing our threshold and is therefore unable to occupy the pulpit?
6. If a pastor from another church comes to fellowship, and has a female associate, can she sit in the pulpit with the male associates?
7. Who or what determines whether a visiting pastor, male or female can sit in the pulpit? Lead pastor, senior pastor, associate, other?
8. If a woman does become our associate pastor what, besides a call from God, would be her incentive to stay? This “job” would seemingly come with its own glass ceiling.
9. Shouldn't we be working harder to teach and raise leaders from within our own ranks, for the future leadership of the church?
What’s my dog in this fight? Why do I care?
I will continue to read and do research for the study, because that is part of who I am. This missive is a reflection of where my feelings stand today. And, that may change as we move forward...
Am I interested in being successful in this study because I am that woman? I think this is an assumption that no one can make; myself included. That decision is in God's hands.
Would I consider leaving the church over this issue? Not for this single issue.
Would I considering the church if the congregation decided not to have a woman in the pulpit? Honestly, I do not know.
In my mind, these are two separate questions because there are so many things we need to be working on. The consideration to leave or not would have to be a prayerful undertaking. As I have said in the beginning, this really is not about me. The church's decision, yea or nay, will have rippling and long-lasting effects on our congregation. At this particular moment, I cannot see any advantage to voluntarily remain in a system that would prohibit the majority, yes, the clear majority of its members from developing and maturing in the gifts of the Spirit bestowed on them by the Holy Spirit.
I am not certain that I could continue to thrive in an environment that displays the same sort of segregation we have worked so hard to overcome in our greater society.
Further, how do we live with ourselves when we tell our daughters to be “all you can be” in the outside world, but here in the church you can go this far and no farther? How do I tell them that it is only in their spiritual life they must take a back seat? Here, and only here I want you to accept being a second-class citizen. To drive the point further, how do I tell the young women of our church that their best life within the institution of the church is to marry a good man? There is a clear difference between not wanting to do a thing and desiring to do a thing and not being able to do it.
And lastly, not to consider leaving because I want or need to be in the pulpit, or even to be a pastor, but because part of our mandate must be to make life better for those who come behind us.
And frankly, if we as a group decide to hold our own down, I fear that my heart cannot stay, even if my body does…
But, that's how I feel today. We shall see.
We will start this study during the summer. I urge each of you to start searching the scriptures and your hearts. This is an important decision we are about to make for the future of our church.
Grace and Peace. Go with God!
