Kind of a shame that the Adventist church doesn't have someone to set as a modern day example of feminine (and perhaps masculine as well?) Christian values and appeal.... kinda like Mother Teresa. Now THERE was a woman who didn't bother with church committees or politics or debate about what she could or could not do. She just went about her business of **gasp** helping people. Silly lady.

Wow thanks Tom for posting all those quotes.

In reflecting on the issue of a Women Pastor ... I am wondering ... IS there anything about a women that would disqualify her for the job. What I mean is ... is there something about the way a women is made that makes her less qualified???

OR ... Is the issue that WOMEN need to be punished because they sinned first? The Bible says that through One Man sin entered the world. BUT ... Is this ALL about punishment? Punishment for what Eve did? Is that why we can't trust a women pastor?

Since God created them equal ... what happened that would disqualify them now? Is it that they have less intelligence? Less compassion? What is it?

No, Redwaood, there is absolutely NO REASON why a woman cannot be a Pastor. I think the only reason that the GC has not officially approved it is that this is a world church and we must, as much as possible, work in harmony. In so many of the countries of this world, a woman in a position of authority would not be acceptable for ethnic reasons. And, really, I believe this is the reason -- keeping harmony.

God bless,

Beryl

Beryl ... You sound like a good diplomat.

Personally I see NO reason we should have unity under this issue.

Since when do we bow to culture that is unBiblical and is only in some little country half way around the world.

I would say the issue calls for disunity. Let the countries that have the cultural problems ... not allow women pastors ... but don't dictate unBiblical principles on the rest of the world for the sake of "unity".

Ellen White as previously shown ... spoke in favor of women pastors ... so as far as possible we should be encouraging it rather than stopping it for "unity" sake.

We should have a Biblical approach and then have exceptions for those countries where culture does not allow for it. That would be a much better approach in my view.

uh-oh. Gonna be wrath on my head again, I'm afraid. Not wanting to rain on anyone's parade, but really . . . what Pam said is very important. I suggest that if women, and men, would be more focused on helping others and lives of service, and not push for position, status or recognition, but leave all that to God, then God would be free to accomplish His sovereign will, whatever that might be for a particular issue. Our part is to accept God's will, and submit to His leading and His decision.

Dave

Women Pastors is an issue of SERVICE not STATUS. To be a Pastor is all about being a servant. It is about answering a call from God to serve. No one would want the "position" if they did not want to serve. Men have the opportunity to accept the call of God in the SDA church. The church is resistant because of culture to allow God to call women.Our part is to accept God's will and to submit to His leading. I would pray that our church would accept God's will in the life of the Church.