Biblical Gender Equality Commission Seeks Broader Vision

CHICAGO, IL (November 2, 2006) – Broadening an understanding on the part of individuals and local churches concerning the role of women in ministry – especially in roles as senior pastors – as well as encouraging and resourcing women involved in ministry were among key discussion points during this week’s meeting of the Commission on Biblical Gender Equality on the campus of North Park University.

The meeting, which began Wednesday and concluded today, also provided an opportunity to bid farewell to retiring commission member Nancy Gordon, who has been instrumental over the years in encouraging women in ministerial roles as well as increasing awareness of the need to present a clear biblical basis for the work of women in all kinds of ministry roles.

A 1992 seminary graduate, Gordon helped form the Association of Covenant Clergy Women of the Evangelical Covenant Church and was instrumental in initiating the Consultation on Women in Ministry. She also was part of the original task force responding to the issue of sexual misconduct.

“We are making progress, though more slowly than I had hoped,” Gordon said in accepting a gift from the commission in honor of her years of service. “But, the good news is that we are making progress,” she said in reference to the work of encouraging churches to accept women in key ministry roles. “It’s been quite a journey.” The accompanying photo shows Gordon (right) with commission chairperson Sharon Cairns Mann.

To hear more of Gordon’s thoughts on the matter, please listen to Reflections on Women in Ministry.

The commission also considered the need to broaden its own vision – to think more globally. “It feels at times like we are focused just on the continental U.S.,” observed Mann.

Other topics of discussion included the role of local churches in providing opportunity for women in ministry, and providing training and other resources to churches as well as women entering ministry.

Commission members currently include: Jolene Bergstrom-Carlson of Chicago, Illinois; Robert Davis of East point, Georgia; Gordon of Schaumburg, Illinois; Ruth A. Johnson of Salem, Oregon; and Mann of Walsenburg, Colorado. There also are a number of ex officio and advisory members.