I'm glad I waited 24 hours before finalizing my thoughts on the vote by the General Conference delegates regarding the ordination of women in the ministry. I have been a fence setter. It looks like there is biblical support for not ordaining. It looks like a biblical case can be made for ordaining. Since I am not an active member presently, I have felt it was not necessary to form an opinion.
Since following the "discussion" at #GCSA15 on Twitter and seeing the reactions of the majority of the stakeholders, I now have an opinion. But I won't share it.
This vote was not a disavowal of women in the ministry by the church or by God. It continues a barrier to complete recognition by the formal church, not a barrier to the many who have been touched by their ministry. They will continue to enjoy the results of the ministry.
Many of the "no" votes were a personal disavowal. Strong feelings exist in some. But this issue would not have even been discussed 50 years ago. I venture to guess there would have been 2,300 "no" votes and 63 "yes" votes if the question was placed then.
"Church" arguments usually take the form of "God says," and for good reason. We have been taught this way. While I may disagree with the outcome (oh, did my opinion slip out?) I don't disagree that this decision may be God's will. If I didn't think that, I would have no reason for trusting anything to the church.
In this (western) society we often look at as teams winning or losing. Winning is seen as morally better and as having God on its side. Look at all the praying for victory and praising God with every touchdown. However, if it was morally better, wouldn't the same team win every year? And wouldn't the Dodgers have won the World Series last year? I think these issues are seldom fully understood by us. This and any vote is not definitive. It is subject to changes of understanding. The church's mission continues to be center that should not change, and all the votes of this session and all future session will merely be "current" understandings.
"No" did not necessarily mean God did not approve. Delegates were not given the options I have been taught God has: Yes, No, Later, and Something Better. With as many "no" votes as I saw and with the tenacity of some of the "no" people, maybe God says this isn't quite the right time. Wait until some of the anger can be overcome. A worse division would have resulted.
We are in a world where things happen much faster than even 50 years ago, much less 150 years ago. But it still takes time for humans to change direction. Division may still result here because hearts haven't been changed. For much the same reason, racism remains an issue in America. Even with progress, hearts are not yet changed. Legislation, regulation, and church policy won't change hearts. Love and time do that.
The church has placed impediments to progress in its path before. It placed a couple more for me this session. It will do it again. But if, as I believe, God is in charge, His will is being carried out somehow. Moses didn't cross to the Promised Land. Martin Luther did not see the completion of the Reformation. Martin Luther King, Jr. did not see a black President of the United States elected. But each played a part in progress.
The ladies serving the SDA church in ANY capacity are the living, breathing proof they are needed. Ordination will only increase that when it comes. I have been thrilled inside to see the lack of anger and division in most of the responses. Anything further need to be said on how much of God these women are?
Now, continue with what you were doing.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
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