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Wednesday, August 30, 2006
women in ministry
Another interesting discussion about women in ministry is happening over at Jesus Creed , Scot McKnight's blog. He raises the question about why ordained women are not given large congregations to lead.

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posted by Julie at 1:19 PM ¤ Permalink ¤


11 Comments:


  • At 8/31/2006 09:13:00 AM, Blogger Kate

    I tried to bring it back up later in the comments, but no one was really biting since the issue is so prevalent in the church as a whole.

    I'm all for a think-tank. Excellent idea!

     

  • At 8/31/2006 11:50:00 AM, Blogger caz

    How much money is needed to put together a think tank? Just curious...

     

  • At 8/31/2006 02:23:00 PM, Blogger Janice

    I've been watching the thread, lots of good stuff there. My interests obviously lie in certain areas of the discussion, but all of it has been interesting I think.

    Here I come again with some questions from the 'side'. Does 'emergent' have to be mentioned? To me, emergent is more like a state of mind and its more about the ideas than a 'thing'. I get the feeling though that although its been said its not a movement or 'church' that indeed that is where some of this is going. I'm not a detractor....I got involved in the discussion because I believe in the discussion, the thoughts, the dialogue. but several references here and there (and some of it 'old' I suspect that I am not privvy too and we needn't go there) get me wondering about what 'emergent' has as its goals. Does one have to 'buy in' to have a real voice.

    That aside, what exactly do you mean by a 'think-tank'?

     

  • At 8/31/2006 06:01:00 PM, Blogger Christy Lambertson

    I'm not sure the whole emergent conversation needs more brainstorming and talking. I think what everybody needs are models and examples of people and organizations that are doing things differently. In my experience, the secular non-profit world is the best place to learn from women and people of color who are using more non-hierarchical methods of leadership and collaboration.

    The emergent conversation has a LOT to learn from community organizers, whether Christian or not. I know a lot of people in Los Angeles who are doing fantastic and innovative things and who have much to teach, if emergent folk are willing to step outside their comfort zone and learn.

    Christy

     

  • At 8/31/2006 07:35:00 PM, Blogger Janice

    FTM: Though I sort of agree with someone else, there are enough 'think-things/blogs/conversations' going on already - I actually think some specific methodical research and analyzing any data...looking at various models and working through possible outcomes and then article writing - with recommendations isn't a bad idea.

    and hey - my lips are sealed.

    Collaborative leadership seems a good place to start.

     

  • At 9/01/2006 10:15:00 AM, Blogger Janice

    Hi all, Still tyring to get a handle on the 'think-tank' idea. One concern I have, maybe its my perspective - is the idea of rushing ahead of the HS. So the idea of making a church with xyz criteria so that it can then be studied, seems a recipe for disaster. I may be getting the wrong idea though. How about identify some emerging, grassroots sort of communities/churches/fellowships and begin by contacting them, asking for input (data?). Seeing where a church plant might come from that? So that its growing out of a natural movement? (just talking out loud here)

    Are there any - at least partial - models to start with? Or begin by looking at some women pastored churches?

     

  • At 9/01/2006 10:16:00 AM, Blogger Janice

    Follow-up.

    What kinds of questions would be asked? What kind of dialogue? Survey of ministry leaders? Survey of congregation?

     

  • At 9/01/2006 11:05:00 AM, Blogger caz

    I came across this Christian "think tank" a while back. Unfortunately, it looks like they are no longer active, but their website may give you a feel for what a think tank does.

    http://home.comcast.net/~shuv/

     

  • At 9/01/2006 12:26:00 PM, Blogger Janice

    Caz, you got me curious so I did a search

    HOw about this?

    http://www.crossleft.org/?q=wz/2/1/4

     

  • At 9/01/2006 09:58:00 PM, Blogger Kate

    FTM - You're probably right about why people didn't bite on the emergent line. It's possible that some of the people taking part in the conversation don't even know what emergent is. I mean, I'm pretty new to the conversation, so I guess I shouldn't assume that everyone else knows about it and is taking part.

    The conversation was framed in such a way that rethinking leadership as a whole wasn't considered by most. It's easier to try to fix what's broken (and despair that it can never be done) than to start from scratch and build something better.

     

  • At 9/04/2006 10:29:00 AM, Blogger Charlotte Wyncoop

    I'd lean towards a "research what works" model for a think tank, as opposed to a "let's think it up and try it out live" model. The logistics seem much easier!

    Like Doxallo suggests, the place I'd look would be in community groups and non-Christian environments, or new start-ups, or churches that are going through dramatic statistical changes (up or down). It sounds like a great masters or doctoral thesis topic.

    Do we need money? Or just some people willing to chip in some time and resources? Blogging is free and a perfect documentation system. If someone(s) were willing to blog/discuss the parameters for the survey and question set, and then others were willing to "interview" (I'd suggest recording the interview) and posting responses...And whomever's interested helps coalate/statistic/summarize...

    Isn't one of the problems with the church (and the world) too much bureaucrasy?

    What do you think?

     
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