Ready to go! Sort of.

From Real Simple

A few credentialed ministers talked last week about how few women lead churches. "It's not that we're not called," noted one. "Part of it is that we drop out to take care of kids. Part of it is that we keep going to school. We prepare and prepare and by then the guys have been working through the ranks and are senior pastors."

Do you agree with her observations?

I got to thinking about how we postpone ministry when I was getting close to graduation last year. I'm in my 50s. I was called to ministry and missions as a youngster. My husband's proposal was a pitch that we go into missions together. (I said yes, obviously.) He pastored. I stayed home with the kids. He took a teaching job. I taught music and my kids from home.

Life in Cambridge - really this wonderful!

In my early 40s, something flipped inside me. I plunged into a stimulating masters program, got all excited about planting a church ... and then W, Jonathan, and I moved to England while W wrapped up his doctoral dissertation. What a glorious sabbatical! I thrived on the break from being a "mom-of-four." Our youngest, enrolled in a British school, was the easiest-care version of a 15 year old. I experienced a true respite, attending a wonderful church, surrounded by a city filled with art and music.

Back home, a new job at a university used my connecting, hospitality, and writing gifts. Yet when a doctoral program crossed my horizon, I heard, "GO!" and went back to school. After a few years, I started full-time study. (Done, thanks be to God!) So here I am, called to ministry, educated, and getting closer to retirement age. My husband loves his job and I still love doing ministry, based at home.

The conversation about postponing ministry resonated with me. I've talked to others like me. We've raised our families, volunteered or been on church staff, and gained all kinds of resources and skills. Few of us have been lead pastors though. We've always put someone else ahead of us. We've boosted others into leadership.

That's a really great accomplishment for my peers and me. Many male lead pastors, missionaries, and community leaders benefited from our prayers, counsel, and connections. Many younger women we mentored are in ministry, too. However, we see the pattern repeating: the men gravitate toward a ministry career track. The women drift into family life and/or support roles in ministry. (Someone cares for the kids and the home ... and that's usually Mom.)

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper
Women preaching in camp meetings
in the early 1800's

I'm not sure what to think about this. The attrition of women in top leadership roles is of great concern to men and women alike, if they believe the Holy Spirit calls and empowers all believers.

I'm wondering, "What about this issue has impacted your ministry?" Men, are you looking for women to boost into leadership? Women, do you feel called to lead or be the supporter of leaders?

How have you worked out your calling within your reality and church culture?

Read more:
You shall keep my commandments and observe them: I am the Lord. Leviticus 22:31 NLT

*The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 NLT

*Jesus said, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Matthew 8:26 NLT

*Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NLT

Moravian Prayer: Lord Jesus, you taught us that love summarizes all the commandments of the law and the prophets. Show us how to love God with every fiber of our beings and help us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Prince of Peace, if we have nothing to fear then let us not live to make other people fear us. Help us lay down our weapons, showing our trust in you and your peace that passes logic, and help us invite others into this more faithful way. Amen.

Woman's world

Men and women differ. That's no surprise to anyone who's been around the other gender.

We met as a credentialed women's leadership team today. The women freely shared ideas while our fearless leader kept us kind-of on track. (He's a male leader from the Network team.)

We accomplished a lot today. We have assignments for the next few months, connecting, writing, inviting, renewing.

I came home with an awakened sense of participation in God's mission. It was cool to hear how God is using women in ministry. We love God. We love the Church. We love our peers in ministry. We love the people in our churches. And yes, we face many challenges mixed in with our opportunities.

The diversity of each woman's calling is cradled in our mutual commitment to Christ and Spirit-empowerment. I'm privileged to be among women who have been called to lead, proclaim, train, and mentor God's people. Not one of us of us takes His call to ministry lightly ... or takes it for granted.

Read more:

*In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands because of your name, for they will hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. … Then people all over the earth will know that the LORD alone is God and there is no other. 1 Kings 8:41–42, 60

*The hope of the righteous ends in gladness. Proverbs 10:28

*Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV

*You need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. Hebrews 10:36

*Moravian Prayer: Our hope is in you alone, O Lord, the author and finisher of our faith. When we are obedient and see the results of your promises, it gives us great joy. Strengthen us to always do your will. Amen. 

A life of storm and sunshine

Young woman preaching

I met three wonderful women in ministry yesterday. They're living life on the edge, in the midst of storms and sunshine.

1. On the phone, I talked to a recent graduate of NU. She's a part-time pastor, looking for a full-time post in children's ministry. "What do you like about your job?" I asked her.

"I love everything about it!" she enthused. "I love the children, I love the church, and I love being in ministry."

We talked about the opportunities and challenges of starting out with a heart called to serve as God's minister. She's stepping out into the life of ministry.

2. At my home. An MA student and female minister, working on the history of the Assemblies of God and its female ministers, spent the afternoon in my office. She browsed through my resources.

Powerful preaching

I felt so grateful for the women who studied and wrote ... and then shared their files, dissertations, and insights with me. I'm merely passing on what was passed on to me. It's a pleasure to hand over the goods to the next generation. This gal is walking strongly along the path of ministry.

3. At Starbucks. A treasured mentor and retired missionary spent a few hours telling me about her calling and ministry. I was thrilled to hear how God directed and sustained her, her husband, and her four kids.

I can't wait to write a sketch on her life for our credentialed women's newsletter. What a privilege to be a writer when such stories are waiting to be retold! This creative and resourceful pioneer has carved a path of faith.

Ordained women pastors in China

Three generations of women called and serving in ministry. I'm clinging on the fourth rung, wedged between the others. I'm looking on and cheering, glad that the Spirit fell on men and women for the proclamation of the Good News. (Click here for a video of women preaching.)

If you felt called to ministry, please tell us about it!

Read more:
*But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;" Isaiah 43:1-3a  NKJV

*Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
*Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2

Moravian Prayer: Jesus, our redeemer, thank you for dying to save sinners; grant us courage to share the salvation story with those who are still lost. Blind our eyes and hearts from race, color, or creed.

Savior, thank you for your grace and mercy. We intercede today on behalf of all nations asking that this year we will surrender ourselves to you that you may melt and mold us into your likeness. In your name we pray. Amen.

Lent Day 11: Vorwärts! Los!

We have a date! On March 20 I defend my dissertation, which continues to be a work in progress after being sent off to committee. Based on feedback, I'm clarifying the dissertation's objectives and reinforcing primary literature.

The past two weeks, my brain has remained in limbo. I tried to continue intense study after I handed in the dissertation. But without a time frame, my mind and body refused to cooperate or engage. I'm deadline and task oriented so the simple email with a calendar appointment from my adviser has injected me with adrenaline and the will to live.

Meanwhile, my fellow pastor and friend Kim has been writing on leadership and church ministry. Her encouragement to see God's work as process rather than a hierarchy or establishment helps me keep this walk of studies in perspective. Whatever God is doing in this doctoral journey is part of God's preparation for what lies ahead, in the greater picture of the church.

Beginning with a provocative post about Power and church, Kim's been examining the role of those who remove obstacles and train members of Christ's body to minister in the world. I highly recommend her blog Deep Imprints.

God's Word confirms that each person is vital to his plans. The overarching goal is becoming Christlike in being and doing. You are part of that--and so am I.

How is your day or your week shaping up, in light of that?

Read more:
*But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" God said, "I will be with you." Exodus 3:11-12

*Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven."

But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, "What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!" Mark 2:3–7

*It is not those who commend themselves that are approved, but those whom the Lord commends. 2 Corinthians 10:18

Moravian prayer: As we recall in a common Advent hymn: "Not in our own strength, Lord, we move; your kingdom falls not when we fall, but forward presses day by day until your truth is known to all." Dear Lord, remind us always that it is only by your grace that we have been justified. Amen.

31 days of Learning #11 & 12: Oh man. Oops. Oh woman.

It's been interesting (to say the least) to read the arguments against women ministering in American churches since the mid-1800s. Not much has changed. Language maybe. The reality? Many women have served in missions and pioneered outposts. But established churches and denominations "want a man" as their leader. The strong calling of a few women has made way for them to do extraordinary ministry, regardless of cultural restrictions.

The women's cohort of AGTS is here, learning, studying, laughing, and crying together. I'm not part of the cohort, but ate lunch with them to eavesdrop on their session. "I'm forever ruined for a mixed gender classroom," said one, wiping tears from her face after they spent a session sharing their dreams and calling with classmates. "Hearing the heart of Jesus through women is fantastic. We are so open to speak and listen to each other."

I get irritated with feminists who thump on men for being male. I'm not waving a flag for women's rights. But I want to encourage women--and men--who have heard the call of God to ministry to pursue that with all their hearts.

Lesson 11: Ask God what he expects of us and depend on his open doors rather than people's permissions. Letting the worldview chips fall where they may, women and men are called to follow God's plan for us. Effective ministry plows a way for acceptance of its delivery system and/or person.

Lesson 12: (for tomorrow) When ministering to a calling is impossible, it may be time to move on to work elsewhere. Don't be afraid that God will reshape us through education and experiences and then leave us without participation in his Church.