Category Archives: Equality

Does God Discriminate?

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Women have served as pastors in the Adventist Church since at least 1872. There were many female pastors in Ellen White’s era — about twice as many per capita as there are today. Women ministers have been “commissioned” by the GC since 1990. Does God discriminate in whom He calls to the ministry? God has ordained and poured out His Spirit on “whosoever will.” God said we are all one in Christ; there is no male or female. (Gal. 3:28) We saw an excellent blog that explains this sensitive subject with good humor and sound reasoning. The writer resorts to the mythical book of “Hezekiah” to make her point. Don’t miss this enjoyable and incisive look at the issues: Truth About Equality in Ministry. She unveils the game of semantics about which word to print on the pastor’s certificate: “ordained” or “commissioned.”

See also Pastor Bill Cork’s article and the message from William G. Johnsson, with some similar insights.

EGW on Women Ministers

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“It is not always men who are best adapted to the successful management of a church.” (Pastoral Ministry, p. 36)

“The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the truth.” (Review and Herald, Jan. 2, 1879)

“It is the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit of God that prepares workers, both men and women, to become pastors to the flock of God.” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 322) [See detailed word study of “pastor” and “minister” in EGW’s writings.]

“There are women who should labor in the gospel ministry.” (Manuscript 43a, 1898) Continue reading →

God Ordains Both

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In honor of Women’s Equality Day, commemorating August 26, 1920 when women received the right to vote in the USA. But before there was Congress, there was God–who created male and female as equals. “There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28)

“Men & Women, Ordained by God, Ministering as Equals. Galatians 3:28.”

God ordains men and women to serve as pastors, evangelists, and ministers for the salvation of souls. “There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) “Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit.” (Acts 2:18)

(These lapel buttons are available through Davidson Originals.)

The Holy Spirit’s Rights

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“Rights and Wrongs” – The Real Issue in Women’s Ordination. In this presentation in Loma Linda on January 24, 2015, Kessia Reyne Bennett explained that the real issue is not who has the right to choose ministry for themselves; the issue is God’s right to choose whom He will. This is an important contribution to the discussion on women’s ordination.

“Recognizing the Holy Spirit-ordination of women into the gospel ministry with full ecclesial authorization (what we currently call ‘ordination’) is important because to reject, de-legitimize, or neglect His movement is an affront to the Spirit’s authority and to His right to do with us whatever He wants.”

She points out that “issues of church policy, Continue reading →

Dave Weigley: Never Alone

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On August 8, 2015–one month after the vote at the General Conference Session–President Dave Weigley of the Columbia Union presented this sermon about various forms of oppression he has seen, from the streets of inner-city Baltimore to the halls of ecclesiastical decision-making in San Antonio.

When God has called a woman to the ministry, it is a mistake for the Church to treat her as a second-class pastor. But, drawing parallels to the Continue reading →

Dr. William G. Johnsson: We Must Go Forward

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Dr. William G. Johnsson was the Editor of the Adventist Review from 1982 to 2007. Based on his 40 years of study and observation on the ordination issue, he urges the Church to take the logical and biblical step of recognizing women’s ordination. In 1990 the General Conference recognized that God has given His stamp of approval to women as ministers; so who are we to withhold official recognition? Dr. Johnsson issued this statement before the 2015 GC Session, saying “We cannot go back, we must go forward.” Continue reading →

The San Antonio Address

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On July 8, 2015, Dr. Jan Paulsen, past president of the General Conference, made an eloquent and powerful appeal to the Church to recognize that God calls both men and women to ministry, and we should trust the leaders of our respective Divisions to make wise decisions about what works best in their territories regarding ordination. Reminiscent of another great presidential speech of history, a fitting title would be “The San Antonio Address.” Here is the full text:

I appeal to my brothers and sisters to vote “Yes” on the motion before us. A “No” vote will Continue reading →

Open Letter to African Delegates

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Matthew Quartey, an Adventist scholar from Africa, notes that all eyes are on the delegates from Africa because there is a growing sense that their three divisions, comprising roughly 23% of the delegates to San Antonio, will determine whether the measure on women’s ordination is accepted or rejected. He urges African General Conference delegates to vote Yes. They need to understand that God ordains men and women equally and His church should, too.

Dr. Quartey suggests, “As you vote on the issue of WO next month in San Antonio, think about the future generations of African Adventists Continue reading →

From the Heart: It’s Time

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Adventist elder statesmen weigh in. Retired Adventist leaders whose ministries have been on a global scale, with impact on the church throughout the world, speak from the heart to support a Yes vote at the General Conference Session to recognize World Division decisions in the ordination of women. “From The Heart: Thoughts on Mission and Unity from Adventist Elder Statesmen.” Read more at AdventistElders.com. You can also download a beautiful printable PDF version.