Friday, January 9, 2009

Men shouldn't be ordained

In many of my latest round of interviews i was asked what my thoughts were about women in ministry. I have no problem with it personally, but the arguments against it normally go as such...

10. A women's place is in the kitchen.
9. The pastoral duties of women who have children might distract them from the responsibility of being a parent.
8. The physique of women indicates that they are more suited to such tasks as laundry and shopping. It would be “unnatural” for them to do ministerial tasks.
7. Man was created before woman.

6. Women are too emotional to be priests or pastors. They cry all the freakin time!
5. Some women are beautiful, and this will distract male worshipers.
4. Pastors need to lead their congregations. But this is not a traditional female role. Throughout history, men have been recognized as not only more skilled than women at leading, but also more fervently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.
3. Women are prone to gossip. Thus they would be poor role models as well as dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.
2. The New Testament tells us that Jesus had no female disciples.

1. Women can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can cook potlucks, be in the creche, and perhaps even lead the song service on Mother's Day. By confining themselves to such traditional female roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the church.

Now i don't think any of these reasons hold weight, but if you tweak them a little... Men shouldn't be ordained either...

10. A man’s place is in the army.
9. The pastoral duties of men who have children might distract them from the responsibility of being a parent.
8. The physique of men indicates that they are more suited to such tasks as chopping down trees and wrestling bears. It would be “unnatural” for them to do ministerial tasks.
7. Man was created before woman, obviously as a prototype. Thus, they represent an experiment rather than the crowning achievement of creation.
6. Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors. Their conduct at football and basketball games demonstrates this.
5. Some men are handsome, and this will distract women worshipers.
4. Pastors need to nurture their congregations. But this is not a traditional male role. Throughout history, women have been recognized as not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more fervently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.
3. Men are prone to violence. No really masculine man wants to settle disputes except by fighting about them. Thus they would be poor role models as well as dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.
2. The New Testament tells us that Jesus was betrayed by a man. His lack of faith and ensuing punishment remind us of the subordinated position that all men should take.
1. Men can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can sweep sidewalks, repair the church roof, and perhaps even lead the song service on Father’s Day. By confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the church.


Strange that when the reasons are about blokes they become humorous, but when applied to sheilas it is (for some) the hill to die on.

(i must acknowledge that this was partly inspired by a comment on another blog)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Amen to that Graham.