On Easter Monday BBC’s Women’s Hour dedicated its entire programme to ‘Women and the Christian Faith’. It culminated with the following exchange:
Jane Garvey:
Some of the most passionate speakers (in past programmes) have been female opponents of women’s priests and of course bishops - can you understand their position at all?
Rev Ann Stevens:
Some of your other guests have been very sympathetic and courteous; it’s fair to say I struggle to be that. I think some are quite vulnerable in themselves therefore I would be as patient and as understanding as possible. Some frankly should know better, whether they just want to keep the peace, whether they are terribly anxious they might threaten men by women being in positions of authority - I just think it is grotesquely unjust and out of date in this day and age and I just long for people to get on with it, allow their views to change and allow themselves to see what the Holy Spirit is clearly doing in calling and equipping women in their ministry.
I want to reply to the Rev Ann Stevens of WATCH (‘Women and the Church’) that I am not vulnerable, so I must be in the category of ‘should know better’. I hold my position not to keep the peace with men. I am not terribly anxious that I might threaten men by being in a position of authority. I hold my position because I believe that the bible teaches that leadership in the church is male. I do not believe that the principles of scripture are unjust and out of date and when we think so it is usually because we have misunderstood God’s word or we are conforming to the prevailing culture. I do not believe that the Holy Spirit reveals new revelations that are contrary to scripture rather that the Spirit points us to the truth of God’s word in scripture.
But what about that last clause ‘allow themselves to see what the Holy Spirit is clearly doing in calling and equipping women in their ministry?’ This gets to the irony of the situation – the more campaigners such as Ann Stevens promote ordained ministry the more they weaken every member ministry. Ministry is not confined to the role of leadership in a congregation but has myriads of outlets all of which women can do. I know many women who are equipped and called to a variety of ministries. I rejoice in these women. I can visualize now women who teach others the bible in small groups, in 'one to one's', in Sunday schools, in youth work, in student CU’s, in schools, with the elderly, with young mums, and for adults with learning difficulties. Women, who serve in administration, provide hospitality, musicians, and writers. Some work full time for the church, others as tent makers, others are housewives who give as much time as they can to ministry, others are retired. There is a diverse and rich ministry amongst women in many conservative evangelical churches. I celebrate these women because they are living out their calling – the calling that we all have. (Romans 12:4-8)
It is not limiting to serve as a member of the body of Christ it is indeed a privilege but the proponents of women’s ordination by treating this issue as one of equality and rights end up unwittingly undervaluing everyone’s not least women's ministry. I have made a sad observation that in churches that seek ‘equality’ (i.e. sameness) in role, ministry among women diminishes – after all why would you need to specialise in this area if everyone is the same. However I have seen thriving ministries for women in many conservative churches. So a word to Women’s Hour - these women are not vulnerable, nor out of date but are serving their Lord in good conscience.