Ordained Pastor (PDF)

The topic of "e;Women in Ministry"e; has received increased attention within the Seventh-day Adventist Church from the perspective of whether women should be ordained as pastors. The church has debated the topic of women's ordination at its highest level of church organization and authority, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist in sessions that meet every five years. This book is designed to guide biblical reflection on a critical church debate that has far reaching implications for women, in particular and members, in general, who embrace beliefs and practices of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (see the official website of the GC, www.adventist.orgon church beliefs, organization, structure, practices, etc.). This study is limited from varied perspectives. It is introductory in nature and is based on selected New Testament reflections. It does not attempt to survey research on ordination and women in ministry, although it cites relevant works, or justifies its conclusions by citing authorities secondary to the Bible, although selected citations are made. Systematic theologians and other scholars would provide more in-depth analysis and extensive coverage of related issues to ordination then would be addressed in this work. Yet, even in the absence of exegeses of relevant texts, this study is designed to lead thinking "e;toward a theology of ordination that significantly impacts issues related to women in ministry for the Seventh-day Adventist Church."e; It will introduce discussion on the following sub-topics:1. The place of ordination in the prioritization of New Testament theologies2. The place of women in ministry within the prioritization of being a Disciple of Christ3. Women in ministry within the Seventh-day Adventist Church4. Revisiting the biblical principle of headship5. Review of selected perspectives on headship in the writings of Ellen G. White6. The A.M.O.U.R. perspective on headship in Scripture7. Ordination Gender and the Seventh-day Adventist Church