RICHMOND, Va. (ABP) — Leaders of Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia have adopted a declaration endorsing the “diverse and unlimited” Christian vocations of women and “rejecting” both the Southern Baptist Convention's official opposition to women pastors and the refusal of the denomination's North American Mission Board to endorse women as military and prison chaplains.
The “Declaration of the Dignity of Women” was unanimously approved Sept. 11 by Virginia WMU's board of trustees and its advisory board during their annual meeting at CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center near Lowesville, Va.
Speaking “at a time when the leadership of women has been devalued and suppressed,” the leaders declared:
— “That we reject all blanket discrimination against women in the work of Christian ministry, in particular as elaborated in the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message.” The Southern Baptist Convention's confession of faith, as revised in 2000, maintains that Scripture limits the office of pastor to men.
— “That we reject the findings and policy of the North American Mission Board with regard to the non-endorsement of women in chaplaincy positions.”
The NAMB voted last February to cease endorsing women for chaplain positions “where the role and function of the chaplain would be seen the same as that of a pastor.” That apparently included all military and prison chaplains, but not those serving in hospitals or industrial settings.
Chaplains typically are required to be endorsed by a denominational entity. The NAMB is the Southern Baptist Convention endorser.
— “That we reject any devaluation of women worldwide.”
The document notes: “Our declaration is that women are leaders in the church, called by God, commissioned by Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, with a strong, noble heritage. Empowered by our mission, values and heritage, we pledge to support all people, especially women and girls, as they live out their diverse and unlimited vocations. Through the study and exposition of Scripture, public advocacy, mentorship, networking, inclusive language, careful dialogue, proactive speech, seminary scholarships and influence on pastoral search committees and nominating boards, we will encourage and continue to develop the leadership of women and girls in all spheres and at all levels of church life.”
The 130-year-old WMUV is a Virginia Baptist women's organization that provides missions education and training to adults, youth, children and preschoolers of both genders. It is an affiliate of the national WMU, which is an auxiliary to the SBC, but WMUV is governed independently by its 14-member board of trustees and 68-member advisory board. WMUV's president serves on national WMU's board.
The Virginia WMU works closely in mission and training ventures with the Baptist General Association of Virginia, which officially regards the issue of women pastors as a local church matter. But the BGAV is arguably the state Baptist convention most open to women ministers, who regularly serve as officers of the convention and its pastors conference, and are frequent preachers at statewide meetings.
“The women of Virginia have always seen themselves as leaders in the church,” Earlene Jessee, executive director of WMUV, told the Religious Herald, newsjournal of the BGAV. “But in recent years they have seen the role of women in the church devalued and no one has stood to speak against the devaluing. In discussing that, our women came to the conclusion that they must say something. As one of our trustees said, silence is consent.”
Pat Bloxom, a Mappsville, Va., laywoman who serves as WMUV's president, called women “servant leaders.”
“They are the backbone of the church in many cases,” she said. “We have been waiting for someone to speak out on this [devaluing of women's roles in church].”
Bloxom said enthusiasm for the declaration was strong among WMUV's trustees and advisory board members.
“It became apparent as we discussed it that they were eager not only to vote for it but to sign it,” she said. “We only had three places for signatures — for the president, vice president and executive director. But they all said, 'We want to sign this, too.' So we turned the page over and they put their signatures on the back.”
The declaration emphasizes WMUV's “prophetic conviction” in speaking against the devaluing of women.
“In this Kingdom work, we are not activists but leaders and prophets, calling the Church toward its true, original and best identity,” it says. “As women, our call to leadership is the Great Commission of Jesus Christ; our guide is the Holy Spirit of God; our heritage is scriptural, ancient and living; our crisis is urgent and our declaration is firm: 'Your sons and daughters will prophesy' (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17).”
The full text of the declaration may be read at www.wmu-va.org.
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