Since last March when I announced my resignation from my present ministry with First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in El Dorado Springs, MO, I have often been asked: Have you thought about going to work for a non-profit in the area so that you and Thomas can stay here? (Thomas could continue with his congregation and we wouldn't have to sell our house.)
I will admit the prospect has been tempting--but, thus far, my consistent response has been, "No." My internal reasoning: The Lord called me to minister and spiritual gifts are for the church, the community of faith that centers around the resurrected Lord. But during our recent vacation I have pondered my response. Why does 'No!' roll off my tongue so quickly and with such certainty?
As I reflected on ministry my thoughts wondered back to the '80s and our return to the States after 16 years living in Europe. There was a time for many years when all of my ministry was either in our home together with my husband, with women (or children) in the church, or through a non-profit organization.
In the early '70s (while we were still in Europe) Thomas and I had concluded from our personal Bible study that all spiritual gifts, given to both women and men, were to be exercised within the church for the whole church. This conclusion was contrary to the understanding of our denominaiton so when church doctrine does not provide a place for women in public ministry, one looks elsewhere, even without thinking why. At least, in my case, that was true.
The non-denominational congregation that received us on our return to the States in 1982 readily acknowledged my pastoral gifts and even sent me to Notre Dame for special training for ministry specific for women. Then through a non-profit organization I trained women and set up support groups for them to lead. Relationships within these groups let women experience both spiritual and emotional healing. But as I stood before the volunteers from a variety of denominations and non-denoms, training them for ministry, I saw gaping holes in the body of Christ! Each place in the body of Christ where these women's spiritual gifts originated was a wound, a hole. And, back then, I didn't know if that wound in the body of Christ could be healed. Only later would I meet Christians who affirmed women's spiritual gifts and ordained them for ministry within the church.
Today I am an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and am grateful for the opportunities that I have for ministry. However, through the years I must also admit that I have seen non-profit organizations and social clubs doing the work that the church should be doing! If that be the case, then why do I respond so quickly with a "No!" when the question is asked me?
If non-profits have picked up the work of the church without doing the work in the name of Christ, how will our children know God's grace? How will the faith of the next generation be founded in God's strength instead of in human goodness? How long will human goodness prevail without the strength of the Holy Spirit? Who will tell the story of God's involvement in this world if we abandon the community of faith that gathers around the resurrected Lord? Maybe that is why I say "No!" so quickly. Maybe that is why my heart still aches when I see God's good gifts finding their fulfillment in the non-profits and the social clubs. The wounds in the body of Christ still haunt me.
Showing posts with label women in ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women in ministry. Show all posts
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Friday, July 23, 2010
Don't be born a man...
My inspiration for a blog can come from the most unusual places. This one comes from the lyrics of a country song and a recent exchange with a friend.
I've listened to county music all my life. Growing up in Texas my daddy played in a country band. He sang and played the fiddle. Now here in rural Missouri our local station plays classic country and ever now and then I hear a tune that my dad sang in my growing-up years. "Faded Love." "Cold, Cold Heart." "Fraulein."
An observation from an adult perspective: sometimes the lyrics in the old classics celebrate infidelity or unrequited love, but I brush it off as classic country culture. I always assume that Christians know the love triangle and cheating are contrary to Christian faith so I continue to enjoy the music.
Recently, however, I heard a song on our local station that reflects our current culture. This time the lyrics really disturbed me. The song: "Don't Be Born A Man If You Can Help It!" A google search failed to bring up the lyrics, so my thoughts come after hearing the song only once. The recurring gist of the song declared that women are taking over every area of life that previously had been a man's domain. A plumber with pink tools, a beautiful truck driver, a mechanic... always with the refrain, "Don't be born a man if you can help it because women are taking over the world."
The song was cleverly written with humor, but the tale it told broke my heart because I suspect it proclaims the heart of many men today, even in the church. So many people, both women and men, continue to believe that there are areas of life off limits to women--and many of them sincerely base this belief on their understanding of the Scriptures. But, on closer examination, our Scriptures say something else!
Jesus often encouraged women to participate in society in ways prohibited by the culture of his day. For example, Mary, sister of Martha, sat at Jesus' feet, learning from him. Mary took the place exclusively reserved for a man and Jesus said she had made a good choice.
Then there is the woman who came though the crowd to get close enough to Jesus to touch the hem of his garment. When Jesus turned and asked the one who touched him to come forth, the woman made herself known. Jesus required the woman to testify to her own actions which she quickly did. In that day women were prohibited from giving testimony. Luke's gospel also mentions that women taveled with the disciples and helped support Jesus and his followers out of their own means.
In the first century church, women were encouraged to serve according to their spiritual gifts. Phillip's daughters spoke messages to the church. Phoebe was a deacon, entrusted with responsibilities between congregations. Priscilla taught and ministered with her husband Aquila. At the end of the letter to the Romans a feminine name is listed as outstanding among the apostles! Junias, by name.
The word "apostle" means "one sent with a message." The first messengers chosen by the Lord after the resurrection were women! Women went to the tomb and the resurrected Lord sent them back to the other disciples to tell them he is risen!
Jesus brought an equality for women and men. So I say, don't be afraid to be born a man because women are not taking over the world. With the Lord's help we can be equal partners working together.
I've listened to county music all my life. Growing up in Texas my daddy played in a country band. He sang and played the fiddle. Now here in rural Missouri our local station plays classic country and ever now and then I hear a tune that my dad sang in my growing-up years. "Faded Love." "Cold, Cold Heart." "Fraulein."
An observation from an adult perspective: sometimes the lyrics in the old classics celebrate infidelity or unrequited love, but I brush it off as classic country culture. I always assume that Christians know the love triangle and cheating are contrary to Christian faith so I continue to enjoy the music.
Recently, however, I heard a song on our local station that reflects our current culture. This time the lyrics really disturbed me. The song: "Don't Be Born A Man If You Can Help It!" A google search failed to bring up the lyrics, so my thoughts come after hearing the song only once. The recurring gist of the song declared that women are taking over every area of life that previously had been a man's domain. A plumber with pink tools, a beautiful truck driver, a mechanic... always with the refrain, "Don't be born a man if you can help it because women are taking over the world."
The song was cleverly written with humor, but the tale it told broke my heart because I suspect it proclaims the heart of many men today, even in the church. So many people, both women and men, continue to believe that there are areas of life off limits to women--and many of them sincerely base this belief on their understanding of the Scriptures. But, on closer examination, our Scriptures say something else!
Jesus often encouraged women to participate in society in ways prohibited by the culture of his day. For example, Mary, sister of Martha, sat at Jesus' feet, learning from him. Mary took the place exclusively reserved for a man and Jesus said she had made a good choice.
Then there is the woman who came though the crowd to get close enough to Jesus to touch the hem of his garment. When Jesus turned and asked the one who touched him to come forth, the woman made herself known. Jesus required the woman to testify to her own actions which she quickly did. In that day women were prohibited from giving testimony. Luke's gospel also mentions that women taveled with the disciples and helped support Jesus and his followers out of their own means.
In the first century church, women were encouraged to serve according to their spiritual gifts. Phillip's daughters spoke messages to the church. Phoebe was a deacon, entrusted with responsibilities between congregations. Priscilla taught and ministered with her husband Aquila. At the end of the letter to the Romans a feminine name is listed as outstanding among the apostles! Junias, by name.
The word "apostle" means "one sent with a message." The first messengers chosen by the Lord after the resurrection were women! Women went to the tomb and the resurrected Lord sent them back to the other disciples to tell them he is risen!
Jesus brought an equality for women and men. So I say, don't be afraid to be born a man because women are not taking over the world. With the Lord's help we can be equal partners working together.
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