I appreciate the previous comments about this issue. Thanks Jonathan & JVD. This started out as a reply, but it became so long that it might as well be a new post.

So, I’ve been reading many theological viewpoints. Good arguments, and poor ones. The worst argument thus far is by a theologian who proudly shares that his daugthers know how to lead in the church “without being mannish�.

I too wish that there were no debate here, and that full unity existed over the ordination of women, but there is a debate. There are not clear answers or conclusions for many people surrounding women’s roles in the church. So when the issue came up in my Systematic Theology course (Ecclesiology & Eschatology), I had to ask myself, “What do I think?�

“Can I articulate an informed and loving answer to those who might ask me about this issue?�

Right now, no. But I hope to get there…

I am thankful tonight for my church. I think that we are fairly conservative in our Biblical stances and interpretations. Yet, the ordination or teaching “authority” of women is just not an issue with us. Women speak, lead and teach as they are gifted and called. If a woman happens to have “authority” over a man, people respect that authority unto the Lord w/o issue (or they leave the church if they can’t handle a woman giving a man any type of direction; and, good luck making it in the real world).

We also are a people who highly value grace, unity in the essentials and liberty in the non-essentials. The more I study theology and the things theologians argue over, the more I appreciate Cornerstone! I don’t think we have authority issues (unless your cell phone rings during service or you get up to use the bathroom and expect to go back to your original seat).

Although…I do believe that men and women have to serve and lead one another together, in balance; if a woman is serving and overseeing a group of men w/o any male leadership support (but not necessarily a man “in authority over her”), things can get imbalanced or unhealthy, but, it’s the same when the shoe is on the other foot.

Wow, this is quite a long post…I guess I’m ready to start writing my paper.
It’s due on Monday.

Looking forward to my next post: “I’m Finished!!!�
(it will contain my thesis and conclusions, as popular or unpopular as they may be.)

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