Women's Ordination

I have been following the developments of women’s ordination issue in the Adventist church for years. Now the Columbia Union Conference and the Pacific Union voted (August 2012) to allow women's ordination. Technically the union conferences have authority to approve ordination. Though the General Conference (our chief governing body) has no power to stop it, they have taken a very hard stand against this movement in the interest of unity. In my opinion their argument should be identified as one for "uniformity" not unity. Unity is something that comes in the midst of diversity. Uniformity is when we all look and act the same. In Acts 15 there was a major issue arising in the early church when Gentiles, who had never become Jews, joined the church. Some Jewish Pharisees, who converted to Christianity felt that the Gentiles should "… be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses." (Acts 15:5) The apostles, Peter and Paul with others went to Jerusalem to discuss this with the leadership there. Peter addressed them, sharing how God had sent the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles just as He had done for the Jews. (Acts 15:7-10) Then Paul and Barnabas spoke about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. (Acts 15:12) The Council of the church in Jerusalem (the General Conference of that day) then decided not to require the Gentiles to follow the Jewish ceremonial law. Clearly, they recognized what God had already done for the Gentiles. To ignore the evidence of God would be to ignore God. Many consider women's ordination in the Adventist church to be a similar issue. God has shown his acceptance of women by giving many the gift of pastoral ministry and today there are many women serving in our church as pastors. For years the general conference has discussed the ordination issue but keeps putting it off until a later date. A Commissioning service is meant to appease women. Votes to give them equal pay have also come; but still no true ordination. Maybe the GC is stuck in bureaucracy. So now the union conferences are beginning to act, to affirm what God has already done. Right before our eyes God has called women to serve in ministry, without asking our permission. It is time to affirm that gift. I wish our church had a clear theology of ordination. What we do in ordaining pastors as higher than local elders has no biblical basis. Women can be ordained as local elders but not pastors. Until we have a clear theology of ordination, we're just arguing. Since our church is avoiding that issue as well, it is time for a more local body to take a stand and recognize women as equal to men, under God, in the gift of pastoral ministry.

Personal...

How do I explain the state of my life now? At the end of 2011 everything was as it had been for 30+ years. I was enjoying the exciting task as the pastor of a local church. As most pastors I looked ahead months in advance and made plans for the future. This was done bathed in study and prayer. But as January 2012 rolled around I knew something was just not right. Because I have been dealing with back and neck pain in various forms for the last 18 years, had 5 surgeries on my spine and was taking very heavy medications to help, I knew it could not go on. Some of the surgeries helped, others did not. This disabling pain was affecting my ability to succeed in ministry. I took a look at myself and realized that I was not putting in a full day's work. I was not being honest with my calling. I would spend time resting, reflecting, avoiding, because of my personal battles. I was tired; I didn't have the energy to fight the battles pastors need to fight. So I fell upon the mercy of the Lord and the Carolina Conference and was placed on paid family leave for 3 months. This leave became a disability leave with insurance taking over in financial help. Now, some eight months later I really don't think I will be returning to pastoral ministry. I have had three more surgeries since going on leave and am not significantly better, yet. I have come to grips with the fact that my pastoral ministry is concluded and for all practical purposes I am taking an early retirement. When I started my schooling at Southern in 1977, I was as a brand plucked from the fire. My life was going nowhere fast. I was lost in every sense of the word. I needed rescuing quick! And God rescued me! He provided parents to support me, a fine institution to teach me discipline as well as how to know the Lord and a beautiful Christian wife to labor with me. Some 30 years later I can look back and say that I have no regrets. It has been a wild, adventurous, satisfying and exciting ride. I have had experiences that most people know nothing of. I have seen God work in ways that no one could even imagine. God took this wayward, rebellious, hippie, beach bum surfer and turned him into a Minister of the Gospel. Every day God was leading, helping, empowering, and blessing! For without God's help I would not have lasted a day. He has been there and is still there, even now in this new life chapter. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly in God's people and tremble as I think of the future of our church. We are cascading through the 21st century trying to grapple with issues that are bigger than mankind. I love the Seventh-day Adventist church for which I have labored in Christ all these years. Nothing has changed in my heart. I now will allow younger and healthier men and women to lead the people in following Christ. It is only as we seek God's guidance that we can find the strength and the courage to move on. Jesus is the most important name in the world and we need to trust in his presence and His Word. I continue to do that and look forward to what God can do in my life even now.