First Baptist Greensboro takes the opportunity to celebrate all of our pastors and leaders who are women, especially after recent high profile actions of the Southern Baptist Convention attempting to reinforce their stance that “the office of pastor is limited to men.” Please read below responses from two of our pastors, Pastor Amy Starr Russell and Pastor Courtney Willis.
Our church has long disassociated from the Southern Baptist Convention, and proudly distanced itself from such harmful thinking and theology. Since 1975, with the ordination of Rev. Geneva Metzger, our Congregation has joined the many others — Baptist and otherwise — who believe that women, indeed all people, should serve freely in any role or office to which God has called them.
Among the leaders in this work, our partners at Baptist Women In Ministry continue the vital advocacy and witness, including serving as a prophetic presence outside this week’s Southern Baptist Convention. As our church continues to support the work of BWIM, you are invited to a special screening of their new documentary, Midwives of a Movement: A Story of Challenging Baptist Patriarchy. The film will be screened on June 18 at 7:00 at College Park Baptist Church, as an extension of next week’s Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in Greensboro. Speak to any of our pastors for more.
From Pastor Amy Starr Russell:
I did not expect to feel compelled to comment on anything the SBC is doing . I was raised in the SBC. My calling was both affirmed and challenged (“Aren’t you supposed to marry a minister?!” I was onced asked). My Grandfather was a Southern Baptist Preacher. The SBC roots run deep. But I left the SBC decades ago when it became evident that the work the Spirit was doing within me did not meet their standards of doctrinal purity. I chose the Spirit.
But as I scroll and read through articles, I cannot stop thinking about the women serving in pastoral roles in these churches. I cannot stop thinking about how they must be feeling. No doubt, some will be put in a position to wonder if their churches will choose them or their denomination. I cannot stop thinking of the people this will empower to question the callings of these women (Ask me about the time that the man installing a phone system challenged my ministerial calling standing in the office of the church that called me and ordained me!). I cannot stop thinking of the women who will be forced to accept a title change in order to continue serving their congregations.
I am holding these women in my heart. I am grateful for Rev. Dr. Meredith Hare Stone and the work of everyone at Baptist Women In Ministry. This road is not easy but it’s made a little bit smoother through the work of Meredith and BWIM. I am grateful for the clear and unwavering support of First Baptist Greensboro and her staff. I am grateful for the many ways our congregation affirms anyone who is sensing God’s call!
And I am confident that no matter how many churches are expelled or how much doctrinal purity is demanded, the Spirit will continue to work in the hearts of women and our queer siblings because the Spirit is free of this mess. The Spirit is not imprisoned by denominational politics. She will continue to breathe life and enliven the hearts of her people. No matter what.
From Pastor Courtney Willis:
I interrupt yet another summer vacation to comment on yet another disappointment by the denomination that taught me to be exactly who I am today.
One month ago, while on pilgrimage to Greece with others from First Baptist Greensboro, I placed my hands in the river of Lydia, preached by the marketplace of Priscilla, and stood along the shore where Phoebe was sent to Rome. And in those moments, just as I do today, I wondered…
How?
How do you reconcile-
That Mary was the first the bear the good news?
That Lydia was the first to be baptized and start the first church?
That Priscilla was a confidant, teacher and supporter of the gospel message?
That Phoebe was sent to preach to the Romans- selected over myriad men who could have taken her place?
And that’s not to mention the countless women in the New Testament who aren’t mentioned by name, but are mentioned by responsibility, by pursuit of knowledge and by speaking out in a world that caused them to risk everything to share the love of Jesus.
I’ll never understand the amount of denial and mental gymnastics it requires to ignore these basic Biblical stories and the natural conclusions they seem to draw.
And so, I won’t argue. But I will keep preaching!
Learn more about continued efforts of advocacy and support our church is a part of at bwim.info
