Women In the Ordained Ministry - FIBC Bible Study Series

December 21st, 2006 |By Marvia Lawes in: Ministry |

The Ordination of Women
This is the second week of Bible studies in the series Women In the Ordained Ministry. I will provide summaries of the studies here in discussion.

The studies take the broad approach to also include the ordination of women as deacons in Panama Baptist churches. This I feel cannot be a separate discussion from the Ordination of Women to Pastoral ministry as the issue of ‘ordination’ is what lies at the heart of the debate.

Shortly before my arrival in Panama, the First Isthmian Baptist Church ordained its first female deacon. She became a novelty in Baptist churches in Panama. A couple months after my arrival - a nearby church ordained not one, but two female deacons. For the latter church, this was the culmination of a debate that was taking place for over two years. Did my presence help in this decision? Some think so - I have no idea.

Women Supporting Women in Christian Leadership
Something struck me again at today’s mid-day Bible study. We have two Bible Studies on Wednesdays - 12:00noon and 6:00pm. I believe I have mentioned it before. It is this - unlike Jamaica, Baptist women in Panama are far more supportive of women in leadership roles. For something that is new among them, it is a most interesting thing to see how the women of the Central Panama Baptist Association and FIBC are responding to and working with me. The elderly women of my congregation are simply amazing. Now you might be thinking, that’s ‘pastor-congregation honeymoon’ talk. I assure you the honeymoon is long over - and we already getting ‘down and dirty’ in the conflicts and confusion that dogs the heels of every congregation. And the cooperative attitudes remain unchanged.

** Lest any of my male members read this - let me say that your support has been unquestionable. However, that is not a new thing for me so its not being discussed here. Its the response of the women in contrast to many Baptist women in Jamaica that accounts for my reflection.**

Why is this particularly striking? It strikes me as a paradox in a culture of male dominance. Perhaps this is precisely why it makes perfect sense - because maybe it could be seen as women’s way of protesting against male domination and sexism. The protest in their affirmation of and encouragement of women to go beyond male enforced gender boundaries and limitations.

However, I have to admit that I expected to see more acceptance and affirmation within so called ‘liberated and egalitarian’ contexts like Jamaica and USA. Yet, both these contexts are showing a remarkable and dangerous reactionary backlash against women in leadership. There is this right-wing Fundamentalist thrust to get women back ‘in their places’ that is sadly enough being fueled by women’s efforts.

And yet, the Panama context raises another question - if these women are so supportive why then do we not have more women serving as pastors and deacons and other leaders? Hmmm… now that I cannot answer right away.

But do not discount the impact of this - the enforcers of teachings and doctrines are ALL male. Until, there is another perspective, a counter-view sometimes we will sit and accept something as is, without question because even though in our hearts we feel something is wrong - we are afraid to be the lone voice trying to buck the system.

Another thought strayed into my mind…something I read but cannot recall the source. It might have been in a reading in Sociology of Religion and it has stuck in my mind for a reason I won’t say just yet. Its this thought - have you ever noticed how sometimes churches and church leaders that claim to be promoters of freedom, who boast they do not have popes or bishops, that these churches have the tendency to have the most dogmatic and autocratic leaders and policies unlike the churches that have these hierarchical structures in place?

Well enough for today…See you soon,
Marvia

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