First Ordained Woman Among Panama Baptist Pastors

Being the first ordained woman among Panama Baptist pastors is no bed of roses. One hundred and fourteen (114) years of Baptist history in Panama is being rewritten. It was not my intention to contribute to this process. Now there is no way of escaping my role in it.

I was approached in April 2006 to give consideration to serving in Panama as replacement for Rev. Luke Shaw who was returning home, and as interim pastor until Rogelio Brathwaite completed his studies at UTC. I gave it not only a second thought, but multiple thoughts, prayers, fasting, arguing, and anything else to convince myself not to accept.

Finally, I gave up the fight and accepted. Still things were not going as planned and we were almost out of time, when within a matter of two weeks everything began to fall into place including a sudden departure from Jamaica to meet an August 1, 2006 date for commencement of tenure. It seemed impossible, but it happened.

All along, I thought I had dealt with the challenges that my decision to accept this placement would pose. The majority of them had more to do with family and personal commitments back home, and settlement issues in Panama.

As far as my gender was concerned, I did not think I was going to be here long enough for my presence to become an issue. I heard there was some initial resistance to the idea of having a woman pastor a Baptist church, but that it would not pose much of a problem since it was not a longterm appointment.

Well how wrong we were.

My arrival did not go unnoticed as many of us thought. I did anticipate a quiet space, where I could just concentrate of serving rather than wasting time on ‘gender battles’. Jamaica is not without its fair share of such battles that continue even today. So I really did not need to leave Jamaica for more of that.

Well, what did not sink in at home was forcefully brought to light. I landed in the midst of Baptists of strong Southern Baptist roots and influence who among the many beliefs and practices we (Southern Baptists and I) part company on is the issue of Ordination of Women.

Not long after my arrival, a formal protest against my congregation’s decision to call me as Pastor – was raised by a group of Pastors and Lay Men of the Panama Baptist Convention. This matter is still on the table and will no doubt receive formal treatment soon.

As the sister said at my Induction Service, who knows, I might have come here for such a time as this. Personally, I would rather not be in this position. Nonetheless, if nothing else my presence has opened an opportunity for a discussion on the issue of women in the ordained ministry among Baptists in Panama.

Thank God for a supportive congregation who is behind me 100% in this issue. They are unwavering in their conviction that God has led them to call me as their pastor. They too have accepted their role in changing the course of history. The fact that we did not deliberately set out to do this, does not prevent us from seeing its significance. Neither will we shrink from the responsibility of seeing the process through to the Glory of God.

The ordination of the first Panamanian Baptist woman might not happen while I am here. However, the possibility is now more real. We pray for the Spirit of Wisdom to direct us in this time as we follow the course God has set us on.

Peace,
Marvia