SDAs Facing Pressure On Allowing Female Pastors

[John317]

Seventh-Day Adventists Facing Pressure On Allowing Female Pastors

Religion News Service | By Adelle M. Banks

(RNS) Two U.S. regional groups of the Seventh-day Adventist Church have recently approved the ordination of women pastors, moving faster than the worldwide church's study of the issue.

The Pacific Union Conference, which includes California and four other Western states, voted 79 percent to 21 percent at a special session on Aug. 19 to "approve ordinations to the gospel ministry without regard to gender." Weeks earlier, the Maryland-based Columbia Union Conference, which includes eight Mid-Atlantic states, adopted a similar change in its policy, with 80 percent in favor.

World leaders of the church -- who appealed for unity before the votes were cast -- said they were disappointed with the conferences' actions. They said the Columbia Union's July 29 action was "not in harmony" with the general policy of the church, and said the Pacific Union would "preempt the collective decisions of the world church regarding ordination."

Leaders of the Maryland-based Seventh-day Adventist Church, which is best known for observing the Sabbath on Saturday instead of Sunday, are in the midst of studying the "theology of ordination" for possible consideration at their 2015 General Conference Session.

There are about 320 women pastors in the worldwide Adventist Church. Within North America, there are about 120 women pastors and about 4,100 male pastors. Many Seventh-day Adventist women pastors hold a "commissioned" credential, which does not permit ordination, while most male pastors hold a "ministerial" credential, which does.

In 1990, the General Conference Session, the highest authority of the global church, approved a recommendation that prevented authorization of ordination of women to the gospel ministry. Five years later, it rejected a request from its North American Division that its regional groups be permitted to authorize ordination regardless of gender.

In an official response to the Pacific Union, Seventh-day Adventist Church President Ted N.C. Wilson and other officers cited those previous decisions and said world church leaders "will carefully review the situation and determine how to respond," possibly at an October meeting.

Adventists are not the first group to face disparate action on women's ordination. In 1974, 11 women were "irregularly" ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church, two years before the national church voted to allow female priests and bishops.

Pastor Andrea Trusty King, pastor of an Adventist congregation in Moreno Valley, Calif., was elated by the Pacific Union Conference decision.

"I see it as a move of God," said King, 34. "The church is recognizing what he has been doing for a long time."

But King said everyone is not rejoicing, and she thinks the divide is more generational than geographical.

"You have older people who absolutely don't believe in this and young people who are saying, 'What' s the big deal?'" she said.

Pastor Courtney Ray, who serves as an associate pastor at a church in Compton, Calif., called the Pacific Union decision "long overdue." She chose not to be "commissioned" and now looks forward to an ordination ceremony if an executive committee approves her for ordination.

Ray said there was a tension between wanting to be sensitive to church leaders' desire for everyone to "move together on this issue" and the sense of others who felt it was a "bad witness" for there to be different designations for male and female clergy.

"But the bottom line is that if something is right, then there's never a time to wait to do the right thing," said Ray, 31.

Pastor Stephen Bohr, an opponent of women's ordination who leads an Adventist church in Fresno, Calif., said the Bible calls for women to have different roles from men. By his reading, women can be prophets -- such as church co-founder Ellen White -- and deaconesses, but only men can be pastors.

"I just am disappointed that the Pacific Union would launch out on its own and not wait for the world church to make a determination," said Bohr, 62. "I think they jumped the gun."

Garrett Caldwell, a spokesman for the world church, said there is "excitement" in many corners of the Seventh-day Adventist Church about the possibility of full recognition of women's ministry roles.

"There's an anticipation of that recognition, but I think the greatest concern is that as this body grows and matures and adapts that it is able to stay a united body," he said.

Source and photo:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/02...;comm_ref=false

[doug yowell]

Adventists are not the first group to face disparate action on women's ordination. In 1974, 11 women were "irregularly" ordained as priests in the Episcopal Church, two years before the national church voted to allow female priests and bishops.

Pastor Andrea Trusty King, pastor of an Adventist congregation in Moreno Valley, Calif., was elated by the Pacific Union Conference decision.

"I see it as a move of God," said King, 34. "The church is recognizing what he has been doing for a long time."

Apparently God has moved the Episcopal church out several decades ahead of us.It's worked out pretty well for them,right? Maybe we should stop and ask them what move God has next in store for Adventism?

[Gibs]

Personally I see it all as the culmination of things that the end may come. I believe it is closer than most realize.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[doug yowell]

World leaders of the church -- who appealed for unity before the votes were cast -- said they were disappointed with the conferences' actions. They said the Columbia Union's July 29 action was "not in harmony" with the general policy of the church, and said the Pacific Union would "preempt the collective decisions of the world church regarding ordination."

In an official response to the Pacific Union, Seventh-day Adventist Church President Ted N.C. Wilson and other officers cited those previous decisions and said world church leaders "will carefully review the situation and determine how to respond," possibly at an October meeting.

[Robert]

Personally I see it all as the culmination of things that the end may come.

Because women want to be pastors? Come on....

It's the motive that counts. If the women are doing it out of self-interests instead doing it to serve, then yes, fight it. If not then we need to let God guide.

[Gibs]

No Robert, it is not because if God oradains a woman, I have no problem with that.

I can determine within a few minutes of hearing them who they are ordained of. It isn't a matter of wanting to be, it is a matter of being sent. EGW was sent and all the women in the Bible.

There is a very very few I listen to but just for a few minutes as most are not ordained from above but only from here below. Most go into it for the easy living and then put on the "agony". I've had one fellow tell me that is why he was studying to be a minister. Sure He was ordained, he went through their seminaries and met mens requirements.

Better to hear one sent from deep out of the backwoods sent of God. Maybe a whiskered up ole hillbilly.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[CoAspen]

What a sad outlook!!

Quote:

There is a very very few I listen to but just for a few minutes as most are not ordained from above but only from here below. Most go into it for the easy living and then put on the "agony".

Let me just say, Only God knows the heart...not you or me. I detect a bit of the 'self righteous man', vs the 'poor sinner' in the temple from Christs parable.

[olger]

Al Mohler predicted this.

[Gibs]

CA, Ole Gibs is a detective too, to find the truth, and you know it is easy to find if that is what you want.

Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Joh 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

So, I sort them out as this admonition,

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[lazarus]

Quote:

Strange that a GC spokesman would be quoted as saying that a defiant act of independance on the part of a small group of Unions was done in excited anticipation of what they could have waited for in 2 years without causing any worldwide repercussions while expressing concerns for the growth,maturity, and unity of that same body.No apparant concern that the world church may NOT reach that same conclusion. Now that's going to be exciting.

Perhaps he is reflecting what the GC actually really thinks! Could it be that cooler heads are prevailing and the GC is going to soften its line. Perhaps there will be a vote or two but that will be it. New credentials have already been issued. The deal is done.

[lazarus]

. No mention of his "serious threat to worldwide unity" response or the possibility of sanctions.

Serious threat? IMHO, it's neither serious nor a threat.

Sanctions? What sanctions? Short of the nuclear option there is nothing that can be done.

[Gibs]

This fuss wasn't needed in EGW's time why is it needed now. Fact is, it isn't in my honest opinion!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[lazarus]

This fuss wasn't needed in EGW's time why is it needed now. Fact is, it isn't in my honest opinion!

There was plenty of "fuss" is EGW's day. There has always been fuss in the church. Some fuss is good some fuss is bad. Without out some furious fuss progress would not happen.

[doug yowell]

Quote:

Strange that a GC spokesman would be quoted as saying that a defiant act of independance on the part of a small group of Unions was done in excited anticipation of what they could have waited for in 2 years without causing any worldwide repercussions while expressing concerns for the growth,maturity, and unity of that same body.No apparant concern that the world church may NOT reach that same conclusion. Now that's going to be exciting.

Perhaps he is reflecting what the GC actually really thinks! Could it be that cooler heads are prevailing and the GC is going to soften its line. Perhaps there will be a vote or two but that will be it. New credentials have already been issued. The deal is done.

That's why I said strange, it's in contrast to what the GC leadership warned about in their pre-vote appeals.

[doug yowell]

Originally Posted By: doug yowell

. No mention of his "serious threat to worldwide unity" response or the possibility of sanctions.

Serious threat? IMHO, it's neither serious nor a threat.

Sanctions? What sanctions? Short of the nuclear option there is nothing that can be done.

I was addressing the reporting of the article not your prophesy concerning the outcome.Elder Wilson is reported to have spoken previous to the votes of "possible" world reaction and his remarks immediately following refer to a serious threat of division. These were not reported. I wonder why not? It would have made for a more accurate and suspense filled story.

[CoAspen]

I would suggest that the title of this thread, where ever it came from, was in the 'eye' of the beholder and without all information. Never have any of those calling for ordination ever said anything about forcing those individuals against it, to fall in line. Using the word 'pressure' is red herring, meant to 'inflame' because it is false. I am sure that in every church there will those who do not believe in a women pastor, but, there are also other areas with in the church function that people will not like...ask any pastor!!

Progress is always difficult and often fought against. Like I have said before, we can either put our foot in the river or turn around and wander in the wilderness for another_____years!!!

[lazarus]

Progress is always difficult and often fought against. Like I have said before, we can either put our foot in the river or turn around and wander in the wilderness for another_____years!!!

Like President Ted said, Go Forward!

[olger]

The group who "went up to take Ai" thought they were going forward.

Rejoice always,

g

[lazarus]

The destination wasn't the problem.

[doug yowell]

I would suggest that the title of this thread, where ever it came from, was in the 'eye' of the beholder and without all information. Never have any of those calling for ordination ever said anything about forcing those individuals against it, to fall in line. Using the word 'pressure' is red herring, meant to 'inflame' because it is false. I am sure that in every church there will those who do not believe in a women pastor, but, there are also other areas with in the church function that people will not like...ask any pastor!!

Progress is always difficult and often fought against. Like I have said before, we can either put our foot in the river or turn around and wander in the wilderness for another_____years!!!

It always amazes me how a person can read what is stated and interpret it to mean the exact opposite of what it says.Come on,CoA, read it again!! SDA's Facing Pressure to ALLOW Female Pastors.Is there any doubt that the world church is being pressured to not allow female pastors and the same world church is being pressured by the local unions to allow (is allowing the same as forcing?) female pastors? It's a descriptive title that attributes nothing to anyone's motives.

[lazarus]

Facing Pressure to ALLOW Female Pastors.Is there any doubt that the world church is being pressured to not allow female pastors and the same world church is being pressured by the local unions to allow (is allowing the same as forcing?) female pastors?

I think the title is misleading. The world church already allows female pastors. The pressure is coming in the realm of ordination. Pressure is still misleading too. All the qualified female pastors now have ordination credentials in my conference. There is no pressure. The deed has been done.

[lazarus]

Quote:

That's why I said strange, it's in contrast to what the GC leadership warned about in their pre-vote appeals.

Yes. A lot of strong words but we will have to see if there is also strong action. I have sympathy for Ted. He has placed himself between a rock and hard place.

[CoAspen]

Pressure is always in the 'state of mind' of the beholder. Just because a persons thinks there is pressure doesn't make it so. Glass half empty or half full. What is the individuals perception?

I feel no pressure either way!!

[doug yowell]

Pressure is always in the 'state of mind' of the beholder. Just because a persons thinks there is pressure doesn't make it so. Glass half empty or half full. What is the individuals perception?

I feel no pressure either way!!

If pressure is merely in the eye of the beholder then you may not feel the pressure that is really there. And if the person feels pressure then why isn't pressure a reality? Does pressure even exist if it is all in one's state of mind? Sheesh.

[Tom Wetmore]

Here is a thought. Think positive. Pressure is a positive thing. Think of all the things where pressure is useful. And consider the opposite where insufficient pressure is a problem.

It is like friction or stress. Useful and necessary. And most often the reaction or response to stress or friction has more to determine whether it is harmful or helpful. Fighting against it or resisting either only increases the friction or stress.

So it is with pressure.