Last week, the largest Protestant denomination in the United States took further steps to ensure that only men would serve in roles of pastoral leadership. Although the amendment will not take its fullest effect until another vote in June 2027, the recent proceedings are rather sad, disappointing, perhaps even a travesty to women, to younger girls wondering about their place in the world, for all children of God who would benefit from their leadership; even a blow to the Divine, who insists on being at holy work in us all. And yet, amidst an individual and collective call to recognize our humanity that will entail our fair share of differences, including with interpretation of Scripture and convictions on how churches should operate in the world; and a need to be respectful of such differences, not to mention the whole loving your neighbor as yourself and all…but, still…
According to their website, as of last year, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) includes nearly 13 million members spread over 45,000 individual churches across the country. The next largest non-Catholic church body would be our United Methodist Church (UMC) siblings in Christ being closer to 5 million (our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America currently lists 2.7 million members). Suffice it to say, the SBC is a rather significant voice in the grand scheme of our religious landscape, which tends to affect how we carry out our day-to-day living as well, beyond the weekend church-going. And, unfortunately, further credence was given to limiting the impact of far too many absolutely precious children of God.
Such conversations tend to present perfect opportunities to pit us-versus-them, lifting us up as we put forth statistics of how high-percentages of women are serving not only as pastors, but even bishops in our ELCA wider church. Granted, it did take time for us to get there with our ancestor church bodies, and we still have room for improvement, to say the least…but, still…that does not help the women whose opportunities for service are lessened in other parts of the body of Christ.
Yes, there are certain parts of Scripture to turn to for the “other side.” And yes, we can respond with Phoebe and Dorcas and Miriam and Sarah and Esther and Ruth and on and on we could go, and we could even mention that the most pivotal moment for all Christians, the story in which we believe death and sin are dramatically put asunder, that ultimate triumph of Jesus Christ in the Resurrection gets to be first unleashed to the world by Mary Magdalene. Yes, we’ve got plenty of material to work with, but I have a feeling the SBC voters are aware of those passages, too. Some would argue it isn’t so much about Biblical interpretation and application, but instead recognizing that we humans tend to crave power and authority and all that comes with it, and we’re not always so wiling to give it up…to put it mildly.
Regardless, it’s sad, disappointing, even a travesty. Yes, I am thankful to be part of a church that encourages women and younger girls to believe God is not only at work in them, but that they have the gifts to impact communities of faith for the better. I am thankful for those who I have served with as camp counselors and pastors, and those who serve as bishops and even presiding bishops of our church…but, still…there’s remains work, holy work, to do. And so…we will. But in the meantime, “for all the faithful women,” who still lead in spite of what other children of God may insist otherwise, thanks be to God, indeed!
In Christ,
Pastor Brad