Posted on 01/15/2007 8:19:17 PM PST by kawaii
Faiths seeing wider spectrum of female clergy
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Lake Fong, Post-Gazette The Rev. Kristen Beckstrom of Olivet Presbyterian Church in West Elizabeth was ordained two years ago. Click photo for larger image. On Christmas Eve, the Rev. Kristin Beckstrom's little church in West Elizabeth was packed with 120 worshippers -- the majority newcomers who did not belong to Olivet Presbyterian Church.
The congregation, which draws 40 on Sundays, chose her two years ago to help it grow. Her gender was not an issue, because Olivet has had female pastors for 25 years.
"I didn't have to fight any of the traditional battles," said Ms. Beckstrom, 32, who represents a new generation of ordained women. While the trailblazers were often bold feminists who challenged traditional theology, she is part of an influx of evangelicals who are broadening the spectrum of female clergy.
Pink collars
The year 2006 marked 50 years since women gained full clergy rights in what are now the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Methodist Church. They remained a rarity until the 1980s, but have since been ordained at such rates that some commentators predict mainline Protestant ministry could become a "pink collar" profession, dominated by women.
Women are the majority at some mainline Protestant and Jewish seminaries. From 1977 to 2000, ordained women in the Episcopal Church rose from 94 to 3,482, or 20 percent of clergy. Figures in the United Methodist and Presbyterian Church (USA) are a close parallel.
(Excerpt) Read more at post-gazette.com ...
Relevant scripture:
1Cr 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
1Cr 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
1Cr 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1Cr 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1Cr 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord
ping
What if a woman is single?
Incidentally, quoting Paul as saying "a woman shouldn't preach" is also a misquote.
Paul in the context of the verse is talking about prophecizing when they come together to pray. This the role played by preachers in churches today. The whole chapter is about conduct when Christians come together to pray.
With regard to silence it doesn't say wives in the chapter. (It's implied I suppose when it says they should learn from their husbands). Though it would make some sense that single women (for instance deacons) might be acceptable. This is true in historical context as well. I don't beleive head covering is lmited to wives however.
But Paul later says a woman's hair is her covering. Is this not acceptable?
Incidentally, there were women prophetesses in Scripture. I'm sure you already knew that, but I threw that out there for the discussion.
That's actually a complete misinterpreation of what he's saying. (Hence the reason Paul goes on to say it's as bad for a woman to pray with her head un covered as for her to be bald. )
As there were female deacons... There were no female priests or bishops.
3:1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer [pastor, or bishop], it is a fine work he desires to do.
3:2 "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3:3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.
3:4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity
3:5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),
3:6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.
3:7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Exodus 15:20
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
Judges 4:4
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
2 Kings 22:14
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
Nehemiah 6:14
My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
Luke 2:36
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;
Acts 21:8-9 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
8And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
All of which 1 Corinthians 14 underscores...
My denomination doesn't have women as Senior Pastors. I personally see some merit, particularly in this day and age where Pastors are also counsellors, for having women on pastoral staff.
I also see very little difference between prophesying and preaching.
And yes, Phoebe was a deacon.
Would Paul and Jesus have been disqualified from this job? Neither were married.
Virgins within the church are the model for nuns.
You will note however it does not mention they prophecising during the liturgy.
You will note I've yet to alege that 1 Corinthians 14 suggests women should remain silent nor that women do not have roles within the church (which they have many and critical roles) being priests isn't one of them.
Perhaps, but the parameters, the standards are listed in 1 Tim!
I take that back. There probably are some, but the "official position" is that there shouldnt' be.
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