i'm taking a class on Friends (quaker) theology. some of our assignments are to respond to case studies - basically to show how Friends theology applies to them in a pastoral way. this week's is a question i'm glad students are being called to engage, but just reading it makes me want to shut down and spend some time crying:  

"Unintentionally, your church has only had male elders for the past several years. This year, the nominees for Ministry and Counsel include two women. A group of members, most of whom have recently joined the church when M & C was all male, but which includes a few long time members, protest the nominating of these women as “unwise and unbiblical.” 
i'm glad we're engaging it. i'm grieved that it needs to be engaged. and it's hard for me to decide to sit down and write it when i feel like i've been writing it over and over again for the past 10 years.

how deeply i long to never again defend the calling God has placed on my life...and how deeply i know this probably will never end.

i will be writing the same paper as long as God continues to call me to this life.
 


Comments

tara a healy

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:13:27 pm

Well said Rebecca! When ever I mention that I am a Pastor many ask me to qualify that title, such as Children Pastor, Youth Pastor? To which I say what does it matter I am a Pastor and the majority of those I Pastor are adults. I then get these looks followed by "Well what do you do with Paul" and then the conversation begins again and again and again because I am either an anomaly or a heretic. I get frustrated and tired of justifying not just myself and my call but all womanhood and even God. I also get tired of being diplomatic and polite while the other side feels free in giving my verbal punches and condescending me.

But some must fight the good fight and run hard. Some choose to answer God with "Here I am" and that answer took Abraham to Mt Moriah and Mary to the foot of the cross. And yet the tension for me is How Long Oh Lord How Long!!!

 

Tara

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:47:38 am

Just found out this week that someone who I love and respect very much said that if I am an actual pastor that would have to pull their daughter from my bible class because they don't believe women should be pastors. Of course I will not have this womans daughter in my class for another two years but the question I am yet again faced with do I dfend my call and God or go into hiding. What is the weightier matter? Appeasment or be true to what God has said?

I struggle with this because I want to be respectful and understanding and engage in open dialogue but i don't want to be so much so that I ignore or deny what God has said. What wisdom do you have on this?

 

Robin M

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 5:52:06 pm

Hi Rebecca,

I just discovered your blog, from the midtownfriends site. I didn't know your church was here in Sacramento until now, but I hope to visit you one day. I'm a member of San Francisco Friends Meeting, so not too far away.

Thank you for writing this series on church planting and women. I just started having a conversation with another female Friend about how she feels called to that ministry, and how we might support each other. I think it's not as hard for unprogrammed Friends, but we're not immune to some of the same prejudices, even if it's couched in different language. Reading your posts makes me more determined to help her explore her calling.

 



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