Several weeks ago I was reading the book Reformers and Revivalists, I was thinking what the founding fathers of the Wesleyan Methodist and the Pilgrim Holiness Churches would think about the churches they founded.  Would they be surprised that women would have difficulty becoming pastors?  I know that I have faced some opposition and so has Rebecca as we work toward ordination.  There are several young men who go to college with Rebecca who dislike the Wesleyan’s view of women in the ministry.  Interestingly enough, they are from a non-Wesleyan background.  They would also like to see us Wesleyans change our viewpoint.  From my perspective, it’s also interesting to note that on the local level the most opposition comes from those of the same gender.  Which is interesting because some of these ladies hold high-level positions in their companies that at one time would have only been held by a man.  Dale has spoke on the great legacy of “Wesleyans” like Orange Scott, Luther Lee, Adam Crooks, and others.  They believed that all humans were created equal.  Paul writes in Galatians 3:28:

28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile,^[a] slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

“True” Wesleyans fought for against slavery in the 1800′s.  These same Wesleyans also hosted the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, NY.  In addition, these early Wesleyans fought other civil injustice.

Yes, I know the slippery slope arguments, but we are not going there.  Wesleyans have been ordaining women since our inception.  In fact, 40% of the clergy in the Pilgrim Holiness Church in the early part of the 20^th century were women.  Wesleyans are not “Johnny-come-lately’s” to the ordination of women.  This has been part of our heritage from the beginning.  While there is opposition, the tide is turning.  Why do I say so?  It appears to be a real possibility that we will elect our first woman General Superintendent this summer.  I know there is underground support for it and even some above ground support.

There are also encouraging signs elsewhere.  The Wesleyan Women WILD conferences are highlighting women in ministry and  is teaching women in the local church the history of women in ministry. The religion departments at our various colleges are helping to educate in this area.  In our district we have a woman on the DBMD (District Board of Ministerial Development.  This board supervises the education and development of potential pastors in our denomination.  It is great to have another woman in the room with me.  Then there is FLAME, which also supports women in the ministry.  It is a safe place for women to talk about their experiences.  Houghton College has recently appointed a woman to serve as its president. We to continue to see doors opened which were closed to female pastors in the Wesleyan Church.  Maybe, there will be a time when this will no longer be an issue.