Where Do We Go From Here?
Aug 10th, 2007 by admin in Uncategorized
It has been a pleasure reading your feedback to my previous post. I am humbled that so many of you took the time to weigh in on this very important subject. I invite you now to brain storm with me what the next actions could be for a congregation that believes women should use their gifts fully in service to God. Where do we go from here? How do a group of believers proceed down a path that will inevitably cause pain or discomfort to others? Is it possible to change church culture? Should we attempt to change church culture? Do you know of examples from other congregations who have navigated these waters already? Is there anything we can learn from their triumphs or failures?
I’ve seen (and participated in) change which resulted in destroying the thing I loved enough to try to improve in the first place. I think many of us have. That type of change benefits no one. Many people aren’t just resistant to change – they are frightened and shaken by it. I believe education and open discussion are keys to ease this tension and anxiety. There are many people who have grown up in our heritage who have never struggled with or questioned the way the women are allowed to serve in the church. After all, the Bible is clear isn’t it?
To others, it has been an issue of interest, passion and study. I would love to see education prior to any radical changes. To be successful, I would think the shepherds would have to lead and / or participate in the education and dialogue. It would be during this time of dialogue that our leaders could discern if it was the right time and place to make a fundamental change. The pattern I see in the Bible is Gospel first, culture and structure second. When the culture and structure start to impede the Gospel they must be changed. When changing the culture and structure would impede the Gospel, they must remain. Each church body (and individual) has to find their own balance.
I only have a minute… but I’ll give it a shot.
I like Jennifer’s thoughts.
People don’t fear change. They fear loss.
Occasionally in the church they just fear, but go with me on my first thought if you would.
It also seems that the shift has been made in the minds and hearts of a significant number of leaders within the church (or perhaps better said, in the minds of hearts of significant leaders within the church)..
The shift has been made, and it is a justice issue.
I suppose it’s best to remember that justice of the kingdom of God sort, is best rooted in compassion. It is compassion for people that moves us to action… this action moving forward is justice.
Justice without compassion is ugly, vindictive, and unloving.
Let the same compassion that drives us to remove any barriers to the humanity of women drive us to be patient with those who have been taught that women are not to be leaders/elders/shephards/lead staff.
Patience in this case does not mean changing our mind, it means being gracious.
ok.. I need to go help my wife get the kids to bed.
I would like to remind all of my Garnett friends that we had a woman youth minister, and we have a woman childrens minister. So its not exactly like we are stagnite in this matter. I am actually quite proud of our progress. And also, when communion was still only passed, women were allowed to participate in helping distribute the “bread” and “wine”. But, I do agree that there is progress still to be made.
I agree with Jennifer about education and dialogue being key to just about any change. However, at the congregation where we attend, there were several months of ‘education and dialogue’ on women’s role in the church with the elders begging for feedback trying to get peoples input. After about a year of this, a very small change was implemented and with the backlash (from a minority; the majority of the congregation had no problem), one would have thought that there had been no ‘education and dialogue’ at all. Consequently, the elders and ministers started holding meetings inviting just those who had a problem or felt uncomfortable with the change. With this smaller group, more discussion and understanding was possible. Granted, there were still some who felt like they would have to change congregations.
I guess my point is, have ‘education and dialogue’ primarily with the ones who have a problem and see if that will help. I know for myself, I settled this issue years ago and don’t look forward to having to go thru the whole process again.
And note how many responses are “I feel…” or “I’m uncomfortable with ….”, rather than ” What does the Bible say about…..”.
Jennifer & Riddle – I fully agree that education would be the ideal precursor to any future change. But patience, grace, and compassion must always be first.
Ali Rae – Great point ! If we take a step back and look at Garnett with fresh eyes we can see our growth in this area. Garnett has had a woman serve as the youth minister, children’s minister, lead prayer from the “pulpit”, lead us in worship, served communion, given testimonies, and read scripture.
Ron – Thank you for the lessons from your home congregation. I understand exactly what you mean when you said, “I settled this issue years ago and don’t look forward to having to go thru the same process again.” Sometimes I ask myself, “Why is this still an issue?” But it is still an issue, and that is why conversations such as this are so important.
It strikes me that selecting at least one woman for the leadership team (a shepherdess) as soon as possible would be the quickest and surest way to establish a position on the subject. It would immediatly flush out the objectors and put the issues squarely on the table. By the time the dust settles on that issue I don’t think any other related issues would require much discussion.
I realize that scripture indicates that men should serve in the leadership, but I’m not sure that means women should not.
We should prayerfully seek the Spirits’ guidance on this and clear our minds of ‘heritage thoughts’.
As a matter of terminology – Aren’t the words Sherperd and Deacon gender neutral?
As you look into the future do you see shepherds and shepherdess’ as well as deacons and deaconess’ or just shepherds and deacons?
I know it seems like a trival matter in light of the very serious topic, but as we try to educate those around us, what seems like a simple matter of terminiolgy sometimes hinders that process.