These past couples of weeks have been unique.

On may 22  2010 the Adventist church In England affirmed my role and work as a minister by laying on hands and praying a prayer of affirmation on myself and 2 other female colleagues. This was the first time my church did so here in this part of England in such a high profile meeting.

It was indeed special and it was strange to get this affirmation after so many years  ( 16) working for the church in various ministries- mostly media.

The sadness is that my church has for years debated the role of women in ministry, and have various responses, some using the bible  to prove either for or against other using the cultural argument – either for or against. Whatever peoples positions are there seem to be a given that I should respect that they disrespect me due to my gender?

At the same time i have been receiving so much support from individual members and colleagues that has really warmed my heart.

I do have a lot of opinions and experience about what it means to be a woman in ministry in a Church that does not fully accept me based on my gender, but what seems to surprise me even more is that the discussion has centred more around my gender than about being a progressive thinking person who speaks her mind.

I am glad the Church saw fit ot affirm me as a minister, even if it is only a partial recognition as it is  as a “Commissioned Pastor”; and not an “Ordained Pastor” .The difference- well many are discussing what the difference really is, the only 2 things that makes it difference is that being commissioned is limited to affirmation locally( In the UK) where as Ordination is global. Secondly I can not “ordain” male pastor, but they can commission me.

I believe that that there is need to be affirmed on various levels in our lives; who we are & what we do.  How to affirm remains a question. As a minister I try to affirm those who are volunteering in Church, and let them know they are appreciated.

As an employed minister it’s good to receive affirmation from your employers, perhaps it should be done differently than the once in a lifetime “commissioning/ordiantion”.

for a video fo the service http://www.secmedia.org/camp2010Video.php?id=27