'Celebrating the God given differences between men and woman'

In the discussion, mostly in Western churches, about the ministry of women and the issue of the ordination of women to the ministry of word and sacrament, or to the priesthood, the voice of women who believe that the bible disallows both of the latter is seldom heard.  Whilst reading Anglican Mainstream, I came across the following article offering brief and moving testimonies of women who believe that God has made men and women equal, but who also believe that the ministries of men and women are often complementary rather than similar.  


Here's how Anglican Mainstream's article begins:

"It is often asserted that the proper recognition of the place and role of women in our church depends on the elevation of women to the episcopate, in particular with no statutory place for those who cannot accept their ministry.  However, this view is not representative of the views of all women in ordained ministry in the Church of England, as the following testimonies bear witness. 

‘The greatest privilege and joy of my life ….’ 

It has been the greatest privilege and joy of my life to teach the Bible and minister to women and children within the biblically ordained role for women.  I was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in1995, and for the last 15 years I have served as a permanent deacon in a parish; earlier I served as a lay member of staff at another church for 5 years. 

I absolutely love my role of teaching the Bible to woman and children.  I am completely content, and in no way am I unfulfilled.  I, and many other women serving in churches in similar roles, have no wish for equality to mean that we have to be in roles identical to those of men.  Rather, we believe that we are celebrating the God given differences between men and woman, and that as women we are serving the Lord as he intended." 

Rev Caroline West, St Mary’s Basingstoke

 Read the rest of the testimonies and the whole of the article on the Anglican Mainstream website here


Soli Deo Gloria