Ask Fred > Faith > Can I stay in a denomination where I don't believe fully in their statement of faith?
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Dear Fred
I teach a mixed couples class. We recently studied 1 Timothy, however they left out 2:11-15 and some in my class were wondering why. As I looked into it I learned a lot about the SBC controversy since year 2000. It doesn't look like its a topic they want to discuss on the local level. Therefore, I am left questioning myself and my ministry. Do you think one should stay in a denomination when they do not believe all the points in the statement of faith such as the ordination of women.
Fred's Response
After reading and rereading your question I am assuming that you are a female questioner. You are asking a very serious question and I take the responsibility of answering with gravity. In fact, I consulted with my daughter Brenda who thinks about women's issues quite a bit. Let me share a quick story with you. As a young girl she announced to her Sunday School teacher at First Baptist of Ft. Thomas, Ky. that she was going to be a preacher when she grew up. The response was, "Brenda, girls can't be preachers!" You say that you are teaching a mixed class. I am assuming that your local church agrees with that leadership role. Therefore, I would start with your pastor as you search for a personal answer to the question of women's ordination. I think that there is a distinct difference between annointing and ordination - one is God's affirmation while the other is a legal statement by a denomination. If you are annointed by God for a teaching ministry you must follow. If you believe that ordination is necessary for the completion of your work then you will need to look to another denomination that authorizes women. Brenda read a series of books written by Jan Karon. One of the main characters is an Episcopal vicar named Father Tim. She decided that she should go to seminary and follow his path. When she mentioned it to her 33 year old son he laughed and said, "Mom, you ARE Father Tim --- you already have a parish. You don't need to go to seminary." If she had truly wanted to become an ordained pastor she would have needed to join a group that accepted female ministers. These issues are thorny and many people choose to ignore them completely. Congratulations on working through them ---- God will give you understanding as you consider His word. If you want to discuss any of this with Brenda her email is [email protected] - she would be happy to continue this conversation.
