Presbyteries Overture Assembly to Study Role of Women

March 2009

The role of women in the church continues to stir discussion throughout the Presbyterian Church in America as evidenced by a pair of overtures on the docket for this year’s General Assembly in June.

Two presbyteries, James River and Susquehanna Valley, are both requesting that the PCA General Assembly appoint a study committee to examine the role of women in the church.

According to Overtures five and 10 the presbyteries hope a study committee will address several questions including: “What sorts of roles may women fill in the life of the church?” and “What are some models of local church practices that have developed as ways of employing the gifts of women in the lives of their congregations that might be exemplary and encouraging to other local churches?”

The study committee, if appointed, would also look at organization within the church as it relates to women, as well as elements of accountability to ordained leadership. In addition, the committee would address whether The Book of Church Order “unnecessarily hinders achieving the best utilization of the gifts of PCA women in light of the teaching of Scripture.”

Last year, the PCA’s General Assembly answered Overture nine requesting a study committee on deaconesses in the negative, reminding presbyteries “that appropriate ways to bring issues before the Assembly are through presbytery overtures to amend the BCO, or by way of reference … .” The overtures submitted this year make no mention of deaconesses.

To read Overtures five and 10 in their entirety, or to view the complete list of this year’s overtures, go to http://www.pcaac.org/37thovertures.htm.

Comments

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Warren Hill


SC



Is this really the appropriate use of a GA established "Study Committee", wide reaching studies of this and that? What would be more fitting for the various jurisdictions of the church would be for Presbyteries to create their own 'Study Committee' and then, if a specific recommendation was reached, to bring it to GA in the form of an Overture to change this or that in the BCO. There are libraries full of studies of the role of women in the church from all sorts of perspectives. GA does not need to create a 'Study Committee' for that. Does anyone really think a wide reaching study of this sort would create more of a consensus on the issue than already exists, or would it cause division? If these Presbyteries wish to change the BCO, bring a specific resolution to GA be tested by the brothers.

2009-03-19 15:05 Permalink Reply

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Morgan P. Yarbrough


TN



Perhaps the PCA should just get out of the way and let women serve! I get the feeling that what is meant by "..the role of women in the PCA...", etc., is really whether or not to ordain. The Bible is clear on this! I don't think much more discussion is needed on that point. If a local presbytery sanctions the title "deaconess" with ordination? Fine! Women are a great blessing to my church, have wonderful and robust ministries, and are simply wonderful! Let's close the door on the ordination question, and then get out of the way and watch them go. Of course, no ordination means no teaching or ruling elder roles, nor ordained deacons. But please, let's not continue to committee to death this issue. Praise God and His Providence for giving us women with hearts to serve.

2009-03-19 16:24 Permalink Reply

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Andrew Barnes


Tchula, MS



Perhaps you should see the other relevant overture (#13): http://www.pcaac.org/Overture%2013%20from%20Grace%20Danvers%27%203-19-09.pdf

2009-03-20 14:13 Permalink Reply

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Warren Hill


SC



Rev. Barnes, That'll work fine. See you on PB

2009-03-20 14:51 Permalink Reply

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James Pakala


PA/MO



Scripture (both OT & NT) has queens and prophetesses but not priestesses. Women should be approved as chaplains, such as to women's prisons, children's hospitals, hospices, retirement centers, businesses, etc. Such ministry does not require administration of sacraments or church leadership. MNA should not have recently followed the OPC view that a non-teaching-elder chaplain is an oxymoron. (The OPC in 2008 ended our P&R Jt Commission on Chaplains endorsing ANY non-TEs as chaplains.) Despite all this, presbyteries or churches could do some "endorsing" to certain local or regional entities.

2009-03-23 21:33 Permalink Reply

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John Batts


GA



Inevitably, every time I hear a sermon on the role of women by a male preacher, it ultimately becomes more about restricting or controlling women instead of encouraging them to be all they can be. Today, some preachers seem far too anxious to accuse women of “usurping” the role of men in the church, business and state. If there is any usurpation, the way to address it is not by manipulating women but by calling men to “step up to the plate” to be real men. When preachers try to control women they are in essence typically saying, “Although we may not be doing our job, you can’t do it either.” I know many women who have gifts of management, who are knowledgeable of the Bible and who have political insight and they are effective leaders and teachers. It is to everyone’s advantage to explore how we can take advantage of these gifts and expand their use beyond our traditions. I want the women in my life to be all they can be just like I want the men to be.

2009-03-31 22:10 Permalink Reply

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Andrew Barnes


Tchula, MS



John,

I believe you are half right. It is the preacher's responsibility when addressing this issue to call men to be men and to teach them how to be men. But it is also profitable to rebuke women for taking over a male-type role, instead of encouraging their husbands to do what they are supposed to do. Both are wrong. You can't put it all on the man. The women are sinning too!

In preaching therefore both need to be rebuked and corrected, and trained to do what they are called to do.

2009-04-01 11:12 Permalink Reply

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