Calling…Voting…Serving

I have been asked my opinion of the recent SBC amendment blocking women from the pastoral pulpit. Having traveled and ministered in all fifty states, every Canadian province and fifty-nine countries, as well as surviving the tenure of three Presidents during my twenty-two years on a Seminary faculty, here is what I have observed – when God calls a woman (or a man) to a position and a job description, it matters very little what theological scholars think or elected messengers approve. When you know for sure it is God calling, listen closely and follow faithfully. Now, truthfully, like it or not, you do have to serve within the guidelines of an organization, (just like in every other field of endeavor), so you may need to change organizations/denominations, but God will also lead in the transition. “We have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them” ( Romans 12:4-6).

Another observation: During one of my sabbatical leaves from SWBTS, we lived and served in China. On several Sundays we visited in the above ground ((government approved) churches, each pastored by women. In each one I observed many women and few men in attendance (maybe even less than 5% men). I made two possible conclusions: (1) God’s call is different in China than in the U.S. or (2 ) God calls from the pool of available believers. When that pool is made up of 95% women, He calls women. What think ye?  Be nice. I’m old.