A Woman in Ministry

This Sunday I have the privilege & honor of preaching at a Chinese Church.  The 1st service is in Mandarin & I’m taking on the 2nd, mostly English speaking congregation.  I spoke with my American born, Chinese-American friend, Jeff L. who said, “wow, I can’t believe a Chinese Church is bringing in a young, African-American woman.”  Oye.  (He also said A LOT of helpful things too!)  So, yeah, I’m a little nervous.  Actually, much more nervous than I am when I speak in any college campus environment.

I grew up in a Baptist tradition.  I never once saw a woman in the pulpit.  Maybe (maybe) on the stage, on a stool, doing q. & a.  But many Baptists don’t believe in women as Pastors or preachers.  Some Baptist churches have begun to let women be deacons, elders and so forth but that’s about it.

So, honestly, it’s still sort of really bizarre for me to say, “I’m preaching” at a church.  I almost want to lie and say I’m just “doing a little message,” or “giving a little encouragement.”  Which is really funny right, since I’m actually working full time in ministry?!  And since I’m pursuing ordination? And since I’m a huge advocate of women in ministry, in Pastoral roles, in every role possible in the Christian arena.  Although, I will say this, I hope God never calls me to Pastoral ministry.  I can’t think of a whole lot of things I’d rather not do in life than be a head pastor… but kudos to all the women out there who do want to do it ~ I say good for you & if God is called you, don’t let no man get in your way!

A couple summers ago, I took a class on the study of sermons of African-American Slave Women: it was powerful!  The slavemasters were so silly.  They actually believed that if they allowed young black slave women to be educated & to go “door to door” preaching the good news of Jesus Christ to other slaves that they would have no impact.  They thought these women would have nothing to say.  A black woman not have anything to say?  (It’s nearly humorous).  But they underestimated them on a serious level and instead of the failure they expected these slave women were able to create these powerful communities of slaves who found hope, dignity and healing in Jesus which empowered them to fight for their freedoms!  It’s beautiful.  And when you study their messages, I am in awe of just how intelligent they were though they had no other resources at their fingertips -like I do- but the Bible.

And so when folk go around talking about women have “no place in the pulpit,” or whatever I just want to say, “brother, you go and study all of the work of the traveling slave women in the country.”  And after that, go ahead and study the Bible because from Genesis to Revelation God has been raising up women in positions of every form of leadership, throughout humanity.

I know some many people believe this way, so I’m sorry if your offended but to me, it’s sort of redonkulous.  It’s just so clear to me through the Bible, and it’s so clear throughout humanity… and it’s so clear in the lives of 100′s of gifted women I know who are called to preach, teach and be missionaries, etc. And I know what God is done in my life.  I do not know how men can continue to deny all of this.

And top of all that, I know I’m CALLED by God & aint no man, can take that away from me.  So, pray for me for this Sunday as I preach!