Actress Dawn French, TV’s Vicar of Dibley, with clergywomen in South West, England

“The issue of women serving in the pastorate is an issue of fundamental Biblical authority that does violate both the doctrine and the order of the Southern Baptist Convention.” ~ Albert Mohler, Ninth President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 

“It’s a very tiny brain you’re housing in there, isn’t it?” ~ Dawn French as The Vicar of Dibley

One of my favorite TV shows has been the Vicar of Dibley, a British comedy that features actress Dawn French as the vicar of her village in which the citizens learn to accept — and value — a woman as their religious leader.

Would that that were true of all religious organizations. But as we know, many have been doing their very best to obstruct women who wish to lead their houses of worship by serving as preachers, ministers, priests, pastors, imams, rabbis and other clergy.

As a student growing up in an evangelical congregation, and in K – 12 schools, I was expected to study The Holy Bible and memorize a good deal of it. It is a complicated tome with a number of apparent contradictions and varying interpretations.  For instance, there are verses that outright ban women from the ministry; other verses celebrate and elevate women to the ministry; as to the latter, here is one of my New Testament favorites: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” ~ Galatians 3:28.  And just as there are contradictions in the Bible, there are contradictions and disagreements among those who follow its teachings.

Just recently, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) recently overwhelmingly voted to ban women from holding leadership positions in its churches. The SBC also expelled two churches because they have pastors who are women, one in California and one in Kentucky. I advise reading the Bible before arriving at such harsh decisions regarding leadership roles for women serving in the ministry. But reportedly, the Southern Baptist Church has a “complicated history” with women.

Those who have done their homework know that many women of the Bible were respected leaders in both the Old and New Testaments. Here’s a sampling: Eve (the mother of all living), Mary of Nazareth (Jesus’ mother), Abigail, Ammia, Bathsheba, Chloe, Deborah, Elizabeth (mother of John the Baptist), Esther, Euodia, Hannah, Huldah, Jochebed and Miriam (Moses’ mother and sister, respectively), Junia, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Martha, Nympha, Junia, Phoebe, Priscilla, Rachel, Rahab, Ruth, Sarah and Syntyche.

The list of Biblical she-roes is long. Many were viewed as teachers, apostles, prophets and evangelists who were partners with — rather than inferiors of — men. So, whether or not women should be allowed to hold leadership positions in their churches seems to be up for interpretation. An example of interpretating the story of creation in Genesis is portrayed in the brilliant 1960 movie, Inherit the Wind.

Today, the religious community should be enlightened enough to welcome women as church leaders. After all, church ladies (one type was hilariously portrayed by comedian Dana Carvey on SNL) have been unofficial church leaders in advancing religious ideals for centuries, from ancient times to the present, as volunteers and faithful church attendees. To continue denying women the right to use their talents and dedication in official leadership roles is a travesty. Fortunately, there are denominations and congregations that disagree with the SBC’s stance on women. One of those denominations is The United Church of Christ, whose 2023 General Synod theme was inspired by the words of Isaiah 43:18-19: “Forget about what happened before, and do not think about the past. Look at the new thing I am about to do. It is already happening.” Amen to that.

In closing, I offer the words from the Vicar of Dibley’s first sermon:

“In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
I’d like to start by singing, ‘Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah
because it’s such a thrill to see so many of you here.
But I think we should stick with tradition and sing hymn number 199.

I know a lot of you were surprised to find that your vicar’s a woman.
Not as surprised as me. All the way through my teens, I was convinced that naturally
I would become a supermodel and marry either Eric Clapton or David Soul, as you do.

And then one day I read the Sermon on the Mount. And it was so fantastic, that was it.  
I decided there and then to abandon the catwalk and give the dog collar a try.
So, here I am, at your service, totally yours, any time, any day. 
Although if you come to see me first thing in the morning, wear dark glasses. 

Because before my face falls into place, I look frighteningly like Bernard Manning
No, it’s true. I do. It’s scary. Now, let’s sing hymn number 300.”                                                                   

To all the women of the world who hear the calling, my wish is that you will be able to answer it freely and without encumbrances.

Until next time,

Jeanne