Female Clergy

[Gregory Matthews]

The SDA Church in the United States is encouraging the hire of female clergy.  It has a number of aspects, of which I am not fully aware. However, as one part, Congregations that hire new female interns and pledge to pay 1/3 of her salary will have higher levels of the denomination  pay the additional 2/3s.  This is a breakthrough which goes beyond what has been done in the past.

NOTE:  I am personally aware of one situation where this is in place and is being administratively  processed as I write.  However, it is possible that in your local area this may not be done in exactly the same way in which it is being done in the situation of which I am aware.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

that's not a "breakthrough".... that is discrimination against male interns.  Each person should be hired on the basis of their qualifications, not their gender.  Ponying up money against male interns in favor of female interns is wrong...very wrong.

In my opinion.

[Gregory Matthews]

Pam, the funding for interns in general remains the same.  Females can still be  hired in a competitive process with male interns.  This process opens up the  possibility for additional interns to be hired if they are female.  It does not reduce the number of males who can be hired.

I strongly suspect that this program may be tailored to meet local conditions.  I strongly believe that it is NOT a one-size fits all.  As I look at the specific situation of which I am aware, it has  been tailored, I believe, in a manner that will allow the local Conference to  hire one additional Intern who may be  either male for female in a selection that considers the best qualified.

As I understand both the program in general and the specific case that I reference, additional funding has been provided.

 

 

 

 

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

16 minutes ago, Gregory Matthews said:

This process opens up the  possibility for additional interns to be hired if they are female.  It does not reduce the number of males who can be hired.

Are you saying additional interns can also be hired if they are male, as well as hiring females?  If additional interns can be hired only if they are female *is* discriminatory against males.

[Gregory Matthews]

I am saying this:

1)  I strongly suspect that there will be some local differences in this program.

2) There is a standard program for hiring interns, who may be either male or female.  No preference is given here.  Simply put, the person  hired will be the person best qualified to meet the local  needs.  This program will continue as it has been in the past.  Under this program there is no reduction for males who are hired, as such.  The most qualified person will be hired, regardless of their gender, that meets local needs.  Both males and females may be  hired.

3) This program provides additional funding for the hiring of female interns.  Yes, it is limited to females on the basis that females have been discriminated against in the past, which is true.  Call this discrimination, if you wish.  The bottom line is that it  is an attempt to correct the past without providing an adverse effect on males.

4)  Because this program is  additional funding, as in the specific situation I reference, the Conference does not lose an Intern slot, so to speak.  Now the Conference can hire two people for the price of one.  Those two people may be one male and one female, or it may  be two females.  What it cannot be is to hire two males.

 

 

 

Edited December 10, 2015 by Gregory Matthews

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

discrimination in the past is not a reason to discriminate in the present  [in my opinion — which means absolutely nothing to the church hierarchy] ...

[Woody]

I suppose one solution would be to fire ALL pastors and then hire the pastoral position without regard to gender.
However .... that is kind of extreme.
I like the idea you are presenting. It sounds like a good first step approach.
Pray it will be successful.