women in leadership - key texts

In the early to mid 1990s I was the Pastor at Pinhoe Road Baptist Church, Exeter.  During that time about six churches in the city worked together under the umbrella of the Exeter Evangelical Partnership (EEP). 

 

The EEP thrived because of good friendships amongst its leaders, a real desire to effect change in the city, and a shared evangelical commitment.  Out of this relationship came a number of city-wide initiatives, including a shelter for single mums, a schools outreach project, city-wide prayer initiatives and so on.  Most of these projects continue to this day.

 

One of the strongest churches in this group was, and remains, Belmont Chapel, which describes itself as “a large… independent, evangelical church with strong bible teaching, lively worship and the involvement of as many people as possible in the running of the church”.  This is a good description of Belmont – rooted in the Brethren tradition and attracting thousands of University students over the years.

 

For many years, I assume since it inception, Belmont has not believed it right to have women in their leadership team or for women to preach. This has now changed.

 

On their website we read that over the last two years they have been “reading the bible and praying together about the subject of women and particular roles in ministry, especially in the areas of leadership team and preaching. Following this process of review and discussion, Belmont’s teaching and leadership roles are now open to women as well as men. Various papers were produced as we came to that decision, but we’ve now produced a summary paper outlining the new position and the thinking behind it”.

 

The reason I want to draw attention to this is because for those interested in a thorough review of some of the biblical texts that have been interpreted as limiting the role of women in leadership, and a treatment of them that lay behind the views I expressed in my post limits of dissent, you can find the document by clicking here or here.

 

Its not a short document and one or two aspects of it would not be the exact wording or reasoning I would choose to use, but it’s a very careful piece of work and I wholeheartedly recommend it to those who ask questions of key texts.

 

And I commend the leadership at Belmont too, for having the integrity to revisit an issue as important as this with an open mind, and the courage to revise their position.

 

In two weeks time we will gather in Plymouth for our 2010 Baptist Assembly at which Rev Dr Pat Took (above) will be inducted as Vice President.  Pat is but one example of many gifted women in leadership amongst us, women for whom we thank God and through whom our discipleship is immeasurably enriched.

 

David Kerrigan

Comments

[Amanda]

Thankyou for these thoughtful reflections. Really value reading & engaging with them. Amanda

[Sonia Jackson]

Thanks for this David - truly much appreciated - and also the link to the document. I trust Belmont are happy for others to use it and pass on...

[David Kerrigan]

Thank you for the comment Sonia, and yes I can confirm that Belmont have given their permission to use this if its helpful to others - its in the public domain. David