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Christopher Stephenson

Lee Theology Department Statement on...

Friendly Face Posts: 144 **4/5/16 8:51 am**

Women in Ministry.

I am proud of my colleagues in the Department of Theology, who recently adopted the below statement affirming the Department's support for women in ministry. At times, I am especially excited to be part of the Department of Theology, and this is one of those times.

...............................

"Statement on Women in Ministry"

"The Department of Theology supports the full participation of women in all vocations of the church. We affirm that God the Father incorporates persons into the body of his Son Jesus Christ and pours out the Holy Spirit upon them without discriminating according to their sex. We affirm that God calls women to every activity, office, and level of ordination in the church. We both renounce any restrictions on the ministry of women based solely on their sex and commit ourselves to the removal of any such restrictions. Finally, we strive to provide a learning atmosphere in which women can find their voices and discern, understand, and pursue their many indispensable vocations."

Aaron Scott

The "change" often starts in academia or other areas of denominational influence.

Aaron Scott · Hon. Dr. in Acts-celeratology Posts: 6042 **4/5/16 10:17 am**

It is a noble sentiment, almost always arising from well-intentioned hearts. Alas, for whatever reason, the Father, appears to have chosen otherwise when it comes, NOT to ministry, but to church-at-large leadership.

Having served under highly intelligent and powerful women in Fortune 25 companies, there is little question of their ability to lead well. Having a lovely wife of organizational intensity, I know this truth with even greater clarity. And yet plenty of God's ways don't fit mine.

Divorce. Why can't someone make a new choice and become much happier...instead of having to wait for adultery or death?

Since only 4% or so of those 25 or older are virgins, the whole fornication prohibition does not at all seem effective. I wouldn't doubt if more than 70% who marry are not virgins.

You get the idea. Plenty of things in God's plan need adjusting to better fit with the world. The same with women in church-at-large leadership. We all know women of remarkable ability. Women that could almost assuredly do a better job than sitting or hopeful presidents of today. I know I'd vote for them!

But for the church, it seems God does not at all consult the human economy. He tells us to GIVE in order to receive...to turn the other cheek...to believe before you see...that works don't save us...on and on. So many things that the world does so very differently.

You would think that as important and as crucial as women are in the secular AND RELIGIOUS arenas, the answer to women in leadership in the church would almost be tautological. But it is anything but clear!

We all acknowledge the impossible debt the church owes to our women. No other demographic comes close to their drive and energy. As a pastor, there was a time in my youth when I thought preaching and altar calls were the essentials of it all. Then I became a pastor and found that without my wife (and the other women), very little graciousness remains. No Children's Church, Sunday School, fellowship opportunities, homecomings, etc. The Father spoke oh, so, true when He spoke of women being a "help meet" to her husband! What glorious harmony is possible because of God's plan to put us together!

And yet...and yet....

Still the Father did not put this supremely talented creature over the sometimes less able husband....

TO BE CONTINUED

Cojak

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **4/5/16 10:19 am**

From the pew, this does not phase me. I accept the idea of Women in ministry and do not think there should be any difference, but that is from an uneducated neophyte on the subject.

I said that to say, HOWEVER, doesn't this statement run contrary to the Church of God present stand. And the stand of the General Assembly? Confused

How can this be? Confused

_________________
Some facts but mostly just my opinion!
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http://shipslog-jack.blogspot.com/

Cojak

Re: The "change" often starts in academia or other areas of denominational influence.

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **4/5/16 10:31 am**

Old Time Country Preacher

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **4/5/16 11:20 am**

Only thing a feller can say is "neither male nor female."

Da Sheik

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1865 **4/5/16 1:45 pm**

I don't understand the obsession with this topic. I am a male who has a female doctor. She is better and more thorough than any male doctor I've ever had. She's highly intelligent and I hope my insurance never requires me to change primary physicians.

Having said that, she is not qualified to be my pastor because the bible prohibits it. No matter how intelligent, well-spoken, or kind- hearted she is, she can never be the "husband of one wife". At least not in the sense as we biblically define that phrase.

UncleJD

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **4/5/16 2:16 pm**

skinnybishop

Re: Lee Theology Department Statement on...

skinnybishop · Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1055 **4/5/16 2:20 pm**

skinnybishop

Re: Lee Theology Department Statement on...

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1055 **4/5/16 2:32 pm**

Change Agent

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1449 **4/5/16 3:35 pm**

Minutes have been known to change and will you embrace them after change like you do before change? Lets just close Lee down for supporting such heresy.

Mat

Really, that's all ...

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1994 **4/5/16 4:40 pm**

Da Sheik

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1865 **4/5/16 4:54 pm**

I have no interest in debating this. I would never sit under a woman pastor. Not because she is inferior as a person but because she is biblically disqualified. I really wonder about some of you guys. I think your bible must read "husbands obey your wives in all things". It has nothing to do with gender discrimination.

UncleJD

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **4/5/16 4:55 pm**

Old Time Country Preacher

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 15570 **4/5/16 5:48 pm**

Dr. Christopher, son, you done stirred up a hornets nest now. Laughing

mytwocents

Where is this Found

Acts-celerater Posts: 813 **4/5/16 6:00 pm**

Where and when was this statment made/published etc.?
i can find no reference to it on th Lee Univ. website nor the Dept. of Theology
FB page.

Eddie Robbins

Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16509 **4/5/16 7:39 pm**

Like the COG could close down Lee. Funny.

Nature Boy Florida

Re: Lee Theology Department Statement on...

Nature Boy Florida · Acts-pert Poster Posts: 16646 **4/5/16 8:39 pm**

mytwocents

To Nature Boy

Acts-celerater Posts: 813 **4/5/16 8:50 pm**

Exactly and bingo!
I probably would vote with such an issue were it brought before the Assembly.
However, the perception this gives me is one of arrogant educators thumbing their nose at a governing body.
I sensed the same arrogance form PTS faculty at assemblies where the issue was debated and voted on and since i have encouraged people NOT to attend nor support PTS. It is not the issue, it is the arrogance.

mytwocents

To Eddie

Acts-celerater Posts: 813 **4/5/16 8:52 pm**

Actually the Church of God COULD quite easily shut Lee down. They wont, but they could.
First all the property of Lee is actually property of the Church of God.
Second, while the President is selected by the BOD of Lee, the BOD is selected every two years by the COG executive committee.

Cojak

01000001 01100011 01110100 01110011 Posts: 24285 **4/5/16 9:33 pm**