Unity Presbyterian Church - Inman

From our FEMALE PASTOR - Rev. Susan Horn-Haney: "The role of women in ministry has been in the spotlight over the last week as the Southern Baptist Convention has taken an even harder line in their opposition to women serving as pastors. I am a woman in ministry serving as a pastor. Because of the continuing debate in some denominations, I’ve spent time considering my position on this controversy.

First, I will appeal to my experience with God. I well remember when I began to sense God’s call as a teenager. And I have continued to experience the reality of that call. God has certainly used the various experiences of my life along with my gifts and skills to equip me for the role I now have. Certainly, those in opposition to women in ministry will question my conclusions. You may argue with my theology but each of us is entitled to our own interpretation of our lives.

A further argument for the role of women as pastors centers around the use of language. Not gendered language but the language of Scripture. The SBC considers the Bible to be inerrant, that is without any error in the original documents. In this line of thinking, the Bible itself is considered “God’s word.” I believe that this belief is in error. The New Testament refers to the WORD that existed from the beginning. A WORD that was with God, that even was God. This WORD is no mere book but the person of Jesus Christ. If the WORD is Jesus, then it follows that the life and example of Jesus Christ is the ultimate gauge of how the written words of Scripture are interpreted. I observe Jesus talking with women, teaching women, encouraging women to study and learn, even directing women to proclaim the Good News of the resurrection with the men. I see nothing in the records of the life of Jesus that would preclude anyone from following the call of God.

Finally, Jesus admonished us to judge one another on the basis of the fruit of our endeavors. Rather than excluding anyone from pastoral ministry on the basis of biology, perhaps we should judge individuals on their results."

Very Sincerely, Reverend Susan Horn-Haney

Dr. Katrina Hutchins - can I get an Amen! Planted In Purpose. Lucky us. All for the Upstate Family Resource Center.