Poll for WOMEN who attend church regularly...

[ead79]

Our church has men for the senior pastor, elders, and deacons, which I agree with based on Scripture. We have many women Sunday School teachers, and ministers (like the Minister to Children, Preschool Minister, etc.), which is wonderful since women have wonderful insights into Scripture (just as men can) from different perspectives.

 

[MelessaG]

I've never had a problem with the roles women play in my church. We are not Elders, nor do women preside during worship services. We do have leadership roles as Sunday School teachers, our own women's organization, and for working with the youth. I have served in enough of these positions to know my contribution as a woman is invaluable to the operation of our church even if I don't run the show on Sunday morning. So, in my church, I am satisfied with the way things are. (As a young adult I may have felt a little differently, but that was before I had so many opportunities to serve in the church.)

On the other hand, my aunt left her church and joined another while in college because she wanted to be a minister and her denomination didn't allow it. I was at her ordination and I am incredibly proud of her accomplishments. Having said that, she recently left her position because even the church where she worked seemed to give women pastors a lot more importance in word than in actual deed. She was often given desk jobs or other lesser responsibilities within the church while rarely standing at the pulpit on Sundays as she had hoped. So, even though my church is firm on their stance about the roles of men and women, having compared notes with my Aunt, our level of contribution, input, and responsibility are very similar even though her church claims to be much more liberal in their policies about female pastors. And I didn't even go to seminary. I hope she finds what she is looking for, she deserves that and has lots to contribute. Meanwhile, I am very happy to stay where I am. I have lots to contribute too.

 

[budbeerlady]

I was raised in the VERY male dominated Christian Reformed Church. Women didnt go to church congreational meeting to vote or anything! Their husbands went and there was no discussion on it. So I had to rock that boat a little bit, I started to go with my Dad, it is only once a year. I got some looks, but as a member of the church I should make my voice heard as well. The pastor ministers to the whole church and the whole church should have a say in who is chosen and other church matters. One of the most explosive meetings were on wether or not to change to the new "gray" psalter hymal. That was 12 years ago. They did finally get the new psalter but there is no women in any office there what so ever.

Religous beliefs are funny things, some people will fight to the death over things that seem so silly. About 15 years ago they had a big deal at our CRC church over the fact the pastor they wanted to call had a working wife. Does it really matter? They sure thought so! And a guy I really liked my senior year (in Iowa, they were more conservative than I was) his Mom wasnt happy that I was CRC and they were Reformed. I couldnt tell you the diff between the two, but I was clearly on the wrong side of the fence! I dont think she would have let me in the door if I was United Methodist then, imagine the horror that her son dated some one that wasnt exactly like her! I think she would put me on the fast road to H*ll, besides I was too "wild". That was before I jumped onto the "turnip" truck and gotta outa town. I saw there was more to life than church twice on sunday with dinner and a nap in between. We really werent allowed to do anything on Sunday, we only went over to families homes. I didnt know any diff, all my friends went to the same school and church. But then the best friend and I graduated and moved out, wow, what a world was out there. I couldnt sit quietly in my old CRC church anymore. And I really have no interest in even visiting even thought the best friend still makes the trip once a month to appease her family. (That could be its own twisted thread!)

Then we married and i moved away from my sheltered life. (There was literally a CRC church on every corner!) A little over an hour away there was 2 CRC churches and mostly bapist and United Methodist churches. We werent quite good enough for the one CRC in town and the other CRC is a "mission" church. (Meaning another established church farther away funds it and it has no pastor, etc.) That wasnt what we were looking for, we wanted a Sunday School for DD.

We visited a couple of United Methodist churches (one on every corner here) and found one we really like. Our pastor is a very nice lady, which took my Dad a little while to get used to. But they do enjoy her sermons when they come to visit and I like the less stern everyone is involved type of a church. Some would say that makes me a heathen but I think the word can be delivered by a man or a woman.


.

 

[scubamouse]

Pentecostal here. Church of God In Christ (AKA Holiness) Typically, a pretty strict denomination. (no pants, no women in high ups, etc.) My pastor is the Bishop for our jurisdiction. We have female elders, and our pastor's wife is an Evangelist, who sits beside him in the pulpit. We have many female guest pastors/speakers. The Evangelists always give the 'Words og Gods Promises" (basically, scripture with interpretation - but done each week). I was brought up in a COGIC church in the south. It was totally different. I like my church now. I have no problem with women in leadership. I feel that everyone interprets the Bible differently.

You can't wear pants - is that just for services or all the time (sorry for the hijack)

Back to the OP
I was raised Catholic and now am Episcopalian. I had a lot of issues with how the RC viewed women which was a big part of why I changed. We allow women (and gays) to be priests and bishops. I love that

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I currently attend a Baptist church. Used to go to a non-denominational church. Neither have women as pastors/deacons/elders, except in the women's ministry and children's ministry. I have no problem with this whatsoever. That's not to say that women have no place in the church. Each of those pastors/deacons/elders are supported and helped by their wives who play a very active role with the men. Men aren't "better" than women. Just different. Not a good thing or a bad thing. It just is.

Yeah, what she said. We have women as children's teachers and of youth here and there, but no deacons or pastors and I think that's they way it should be. I will not attend a church that has a female pastor. But it's just my opinion.

 

[JVL1018]

I am Presbyterian and while my church has a male minister, females are allowed to do anything: deacons, elders, ministers..I would never be a member of a church who said a woman was not able to hold those positions. It seems very archaic to me.

 

[slo]

I voted for #2

 

[princesspumpkin]

You can't wear pants - is that just for services or all the time (sorry for the hijack)

Back to the OP
I was raised Catholic and now am Episcopalian. I had a lot of issues with how the RC viewed women which was a big part of why I changed. We allow women (and gays) to be priests and bishops. I love that

Not wearing pants is for all the time (scripture ref: women shouldn't wear things pertaining to a man - or something like that)

 

[Deb in IA]

One of the reasons (not the only one) I left the RCC for the Episcopal church is the existence of female priests and bishops. Although in my parish we have a male priest, I have attended services where the celebrant was a woman and the first time it blew my mind! Still does, actually... to think that I spent 46 years of my life in a church that doesn't value my gender as equal. I love that the cornerstones of the Episcopal church are scripture, tradition and reason.

Fellow Episcopalian (and recently elected Vestry member) here!!

Someone once said that they love the Episcopal Church because they "didn't have to check their brains at the door when they came to church!"

Yes, for the most part, we have female priests and bishops in the Episcopal Church of America (ECA). However, there are exactly 2 dioceses whose Bishops do not allow female priests -- one in Dallas, and one in Los Angeles. Our priest's wife, one of the very first women to be ordained in the Church, went to the Dallas diocese to serve as pulpit supply for a month . . .


Added: We are still waiting for our first female Archbishop of Canterbury, though!!!

 

[Buckalew11]

Our church has men for the senior pastor, elders, and deacons, which I agree with based on Scripture. We have many women Sunday School teachers, and ministers (like the Minister to Children, Preschool Minister, etc.), which is wonderful since women have wonderful insights into Scripture (just as men can) from different perspectives.

This is the way my church is, based on scripture.

I have no desire to be a preacher but the deacon thing bothers me to an extent. The belief is based on scripture and I accept that but sorry to say I think we have some lame deacons who do not do their job or some don't do it well. As a woman, I'm "allowed" to sit in on a deacon's meeting (although no one ever has but I might be the first someday ) and allowed to have a big say in But I have never, ever felt like a second class citizen or anything in church.

 

[Buckalew11]

Not wearing pants is for all the time (scripture ref: women shouldn't wear things pertaining to a man - or something like that)

I've always wondered about this because men didn't wear pants in Bible times either. What they wore looked more like women's "dresses" (robes). My MIL has only wore pants like once in her life (over 50 years ago!)

 

[Deb in IA]

This is the way my church is, based on scripture.

Buckalew, if you don't mind, can you tell me which scripture passages this is based on?

Not to challenge you; just curious!!!

 

[zagafi]

One of the reasons (not the only one) I left the RCC for the Episcopal church is the existence of female priests and bishops. Although in my parish we have a male priest, I have attended services where the celebrant was a woman and the first time it blew my mind! Still does, actually... to think that I spent 46 years of my life in a church that doesn't value my gender as equal. I love that the cornerstones of the Episcopal church are scripture, tradition and reason.

I love the Episcopal church for the same (three) reasons. I could not in good conscience attend a church who saw women as "less" in God's house.

 

[Buckalew11]

1 Timothy 3 is where it comes from. I've had much discussion about this with a few deacons in my church. (surprised? LOL )

 

[Pkaroch]

I don't regularly attend church, but my mother does and recently joined a church here in Raleigh. We used to live in upstate NY, and she was a member of a Prebyterian church there, and a deacon. (Forgive me, I don't know which Presbyterian, I believe there are two different factions, USA and something else??)

When she moved here, she went through the classes to join the church, and was surprised to find out she could NOT become an elder or deacon, despite the fact that the church was the same denomination and faction as the northern church. I do believe she even told the minister that was a crock (she's kind of outspoken) but joined the church anyway. To this day I can't believe my mother told her minister 'that's a crock', but there it is.

 

[jgmklmhem]

Like others on here we are Presbyterian USA and I also could not in good conscience tell my daughters you can be President, a CEO, a Doctor, Lawyer, Professor...whatever, but all you can do at church is lead children's ministry. This coming from my male perspective. I will also say that until my most recent minister (male) I have liked almost all the female minister's better.

 

[JoyG]

I go to a conservative Baptist church. Men only for Pastors, Deacons and Trustees. That doesn't bother me because women hold many (almost all) of the other positions, and if you ask me....after God, we're the glue keeping the place running! Can you imagine the church without the Choir directer, the soloists, the children's ministry...all those are filled by women...the church secretary...

It seems like other than the three biggies "Pastors, Deacons, and Trustees" and maybe landscaping, the women do anything else that needs to be done at church. We've got a huge role at church and I don't feel undervalued at all.

 

[christineann]

Episcopalian here. Our particular church is considered to be one of the more traditional conservative ones. We had the first female priest in this part of the state, and my son was the first baby she baptised - that was just over 20 years ago. In a homily about women of the Bible, one of our priests said that anyone who questions a woman's importance in our faith need look no further than Mary.

 

[Buckalew11]

Episcopalian here. Our particular church is considered to be one of the more traditional conservative ones. We had the first female priest in this part of the state, and my son was the first baby she baptised - that was just over 20 years ago. In a homily about women of the Bible, one of our priests said that anyone who questions a woman's importance in our faith need look no further than Mary.

I totally agree. Jesus's mother Mary, Mary who He appeared to at the tomb, Rahab, Ruth, Naomi, Ester...the list goes on and on about God has used women and how important they are.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Raised Catholic until last year have been attending Bapist.

I don't like women in the senior role being priest or pastor.
Must be the Catholic in me from all those years.