February 19, 2002

AT ABC WOMEN KNOW THEIR PLACE!
A week ago, I received an e-mail from a guy named Dennis, whom I've never heard of. He learned somewhere that ABC fully affirms women in leadership, contrary to the norm in many evangelical churches. He is a student doing research for a paper. He asked this question:

"In your opinion, what major benefit would accrue to the body of Christ if all Christ-centered churches actually were egalitarian? By this I mean that: (1) women and men who are called by God can preach, teach and minister to the entire body of Christ , and (2) women are no longer treated as ‘second-class ‘ or as ‘objects for domination' by some men in the church."

This morning, I decided that I would write to Dennis before tackling the Messenger article, for which I had no inspiration or subject matter. When I finished my letter to Dennis, I realized that, by God's grace, I had my Messenger article. So here it is.

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Dennis,

In 1978 we went through a major Biblical study on the issue of women in leadership.

In 1979 we changed our by-laws and included women on our Deacon Board, the church's governing body.

In June, 1982 we ordained the first woman ordained in the Baptist General Conference in 41 years (missionary Stephanie Dodrill).

In 1984 the first woman Deacon Board President was elected, Dina Palen.

In 1988 we ordained Connie Larson DeVaughn and installed her as our Assistant Pastor.

In 1998 her title was changed to Co-Pastor, alongside of me.

Our history, therefore, allows us to make some comments on how these changes actually affect the congregation, rather than simply commenting on what would happen if we were egalitarian. Here are some positive results I've thought of:

(1) Women on the Deacon Board made that body much more efficient and productive. Previously, the same experienced men were seen as "qualified," and they were repeatedly recycled on the Board (3 year terms). They tended to put less effort into it over time. When women became eligible, the talent pool expanded. Furthermore, they took the job more seriously, did their homework, and followed through. This stimulated the male members to greater performance.

(2) Since our Deacons serve Communion, there was an immediate symbolic effect. The women Deacons demonstrated to girls and younger women that they too could be leaders in the church. Volunteerism increased. Women were no longer seen as having limited service opportunities (Sunday School teachers, choir members, mission circle prayer warriors).

(3) When Connie became a pastor, we tried not to type-cast her into roles that seemed most fit for a woman (e.g. education, women's ministries). Right from the beginning, all areas of pastoral function were open to her. This showed the congregation that we were serious and not just trying to be "politically correct."

(4) Connie's communication skills are excellent, and she was encouraged to preach as often as she felt comfortable doing so. Currently, she preaches at about 25% of the morning services. No one has ever expressed discomfort with her growing public role. Occasionally, we have heard some impatience that it was not growing more quickly.

(5) After several years' experience, we can clearly see the value of having pastoral leadership that is both male and female. Connie senses some sorts of needs that I miss, partly because of her individual gifts, but also partly because she is a woman. Between us, we are much more successful in keeping aware of who in the congregation is hurting and in need of attention.

(6) Furthermore, some people feel she is more approachable and choose to come to her for counseling rather than to me. Quite often, these are younger women who feel she would understand and identify with their problems. In some situations, she is asked to perform a marriage because of these contacts, and she provides the premarital counseling in these cases. She is also called upon to do funeral services where there is a special connection. (Even if she is not specifically asked, I try to include her so that the congregation and the community see us equally as pastors.)

It's just in the past two or three years that people have stopped referring to me as "the pastor" and seem to see us as "the church's pastors."

As a result of this twenty-year history of change, women and men in our church don't see their roles as different. They think it's strange that other churches still follow the old patterns, when the business and professional world have moved so rapidly toward gender-equality at every level.

I think ABC is a stronger, deeper, more spiritual fellowship of believers because we took those bold, early steps and have never looked back.

–Pastor George Van Alstine