I hate years in which the General Assembly and Presidential elections coincide. Maybe it's because of the amount of tongue-biting I have to do.
Late yesterday the General Assembly agenda was posted. There are many, many things on this agenda on which I have an opinion (are you surprised?) but I shall refrain and speak only to one issue. And yes, it's the one you all know I will speak to as I have time and time again.
Actually, the way I was notified that the agenda had been posted [I had been looking for it for a month or so] was through one of my former students, a female, who emailed and said, in so many words, "Am I reading this right? Is the issue of the restrictions on women in ministerial leadership not on the agenda....again?" So, I quickly took a look. And she's right. What is there is a very helpful item about women on the Church and Pastor's Council. I very much appreciate the way this is presented (though it is wordy) and pray that reason will prevail...if the General Council even gets to the item, since it is item 13.
However, once again, the cry of both women and men in this denomination has not been heard and the talents and leadership gifts of women in this church will be at best, ignored, at worst, abrogated. Either choice will not only wound the called and gifted women of this church, but will also feed and cultivate the church's malady. I have written elsewhere that it is a violation of our Holiness-Pentecostal identity to discriminate on the basis of gender, ethnicity, or race.
Ironically, this morning I read an Op-Ed piece in the NY Times about the need for a "Sex Speech" in keeping with Obama's much needed and much lauded race speech. Many of the issues which Kristof raises parallel those in our church (and other churches). He writes, "Racism is deeper, but sexism may be wider in America today." I have seen great signs of hope in the COG in the last few years with regard to our racism. The General Council stepped up to the plate and made history by electing an African-American to a position of power in the denomination. But, as Kristof says, sexism may be a wider issue. Our racism was a deep cultural sin, for which we repented and made restitution. But our sexism is a wide issue, a sin against women and the Body of Christ, which is legislated by our polity.
Kristof continues, "Usually, the male is perceived as a better fit for executive posts — even among well-meaning people who are against gender discrimination, and even among women." He concludes, "But if Mrs. Clinton was hurt by gender, her problem wasn’t misogynists so much as ordinary men and women who believe in equal opportunity — but also are conditioned to think that a president speaks in a gravelly voice." Sadly, many in the COG are similarly conditioned. And the saddest part of this is that we are mirroring society, rather than providing a contrast-image to the world.
This is not about rights and privileges. It is not a liberal or conservative issue. There are numerous conservative evangelical and Pentecostal denominations which give full rights to women. This is about Holiness.
I could go on and on, but I won't. But you should.
10 comments:
"And the saddest part of this is that we are mirroring society, rather than providing a contrast-image to the world." not exactly, societal positions on the issue are far more advanced than the culture of the church of god. At least in America the Constitution has an equal protection clause. We may be presenting a contrast to the world, but on the wrong end of the spectrum.
Of course being number 13 on the agenda is a bad omen, not to mention all the time that they are going to want to spend squabbling over money. Perhaps if the system were holy to begin with, you wouldn't have these revenue issues. o well.
well said, Dr Kim!
And yes, you should be concerned about the way the Church of God (mis)treats women in ministry. The entire denomination should be concerned.
Of course, since we are on the subject, about five years ago, the Church of the Nazarene elected a WOMAN to their Board of General Superintendents--Nina Gunter...
She is wonderful! You might want to get to know her.
Great blog, as usual.
I suppose allowing women to be on local church councils is a step in the right direction. It would have been odd if women had the right to become ordained bishops but not elders or deacons. Then again, they can pastor a church but can't be on the "pastor's council"??
I think a lot of people still hold on to the biblical "reasons" Paul gives concerning women. I heard someone recently say, "if we change our mind on that (women remaining silent in church) and make it a cultural thing, then the gays will be next...."
I find I am often startled by the blatant sexism and latent racism that pervades our holiness-pentecostal church. I pray that God will humble those who continue to see power and might as a thing to be attained and lord it over those whom God has called to service. Ours is a church that continues to call itself international while effectively locking out international leadership. It is my firm belief that these are not political issues, but rather sin issues. Those who have power clamor to keep it and build their bunkers out of the very scriptures which they misinterpret to their own advantage.
Women coming to the fore in local churches is not something new to the Church of God. I know that God calls and anoints women just as he does men. However, when women or men push themselves into roles that they are not qualified for we all suffer the results.
Just to be controversial, Is it prejudice that makes me say I don't want a woman to take up a man's role? I am more concerned about the holiness displayed by men and women than about who is allowed to serve on what church council or committee. Etc.
Kim, May I ask a question? How did Deborah get selected to this position of respect and honor? Who appointed her? Do you know if anyone has researched this?
Good question, Fred. I would imagine that the "charismatic authority" of each Judge was recognized by the people. However....so as not to speculate only....I have consulted with the expert, Dr. Lee Roy Martin. We will see what the PhD on Judges has to say!!
Deborah, like all the other judges (except for Jephthah) was raised up by Yahweh to save Israel from the oppression of the enemy. The first thing said about Deborah is that she is a prophet. God alone can call a person to be a prophet. The Bible says that the people recognized her gifting and came to her as a judge, in spite of the fact that she was a woman. In other words, they discerned her giftedness and calling.
The earlier comment that women should not push themselves into positions for which they are not qualified applies equally to men. Institutional appointment does not guarantee either qualification or calling. I would argue that when we refuse to recognize the calling of God on a person, we are grieving the Holy Spirit who has authorized, empowered, and directed that person into ministry. See Acts 15.
I shall anxiously await Dr. Martin's response.
Last month the Wesleyan Church elected its first ever woman General Superintendent, Dr. Jo Anne Lyon. When you consider that the church was formed in 1843 without any barrier to the ordination of women, electing one to the highest office in the church was a long time coming!
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