January 30, 2007
JANUARY 2007 – Special ATNewsbreak:
Adventist Church president makes further forward-looking, favorable remarks on working toward church consensus on the ordination of women to the ministry; a local southern California newspaper covers the story…
Consensus needed on women, Adventist church president says
By Bettye Wells Miller, The Press-Enterprise, San Bernardino, CA (January 27, 2007). "PALM SPRINGS – Seventh-day Adventists around the world must reach consensus on the ordination of women or risk rebellion within the church, the leader of the global denomination said Saturday. In an interview at Palm Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Rev. Jan Paulsen said the global church 'needs to find a way to sign off on it. If they don't, those (regional) conferences that want to ordain women will find themselves acting in a rebellious way against the global church. That is not healthy.' The Inland area is part of the Southeastern California Conference, which in 2000 became the first Adventist conference in the world to grant the same ministerial credential to men and women. The credential is valid only within the conference. The Los Angeles-based Southern California Conference took a similar step in 2005… Paulsen asked women who feel called to ministry to be patient as the global church seeks consensus. Paulsen has said in the past that he supports ordaining women. 'I know I'm asking a lot of women… because they feel they have waited a long time already,' he said… 'Objections will weaken as people see women in ministry,' Paulsen predicted. 'Let's see where the Lord leads in this matter.' … Like most denominations Adventists struggle with the departure of young adults from their churches. In the interview Saturday afternoon Paulsen said he has been hosting live teleconferences with young Adventists. During one of those conversations a young adult told him, 'You may not be here in 10 years' time. If you don't trust us with responsibility, we may not be here either.' 'If young professionals are not being trusted with leadership roles, they will leave the church,' Paulsen said. 'They are as much a part of the church as I am and under our Lord have responsibility to look after his good name.'" [Emphasis added; More of the story].
"In an interview at Palm Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Rev. Jan Paulsen said the global church 'needs to find a way to sign off on it [the ordination of women]. If they don't, those (regional) conferences that want to ordain women will find themselves acting in a rebellious way against the global church. That is not healthy.' [Later]
'Objections will weaken as people see women in ministry,' Paulsen predicted. 'Let's see where the Lord leads in this matter.'"
– The Press-Enterprise, San Bernardino, CA (January 27, 2007)
Take action today! Thank Dr. Jan Paulsen!
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Call (1-301-680-6000) or FAX (1-301-680-6090) or write (address below) to Dr. Paulsen's office thanking him for his supportive, pastoral, and open-hearted comments on the ordination of women to the Christian ministry. You may also send an to Dr. Paulsen's office.
The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, Maryland 20904-6600 USA If you make any comments on this matter (either for or against) to the office of the GC president, please e-mail us atoday@atoday.com or call / FAX us (Phone: 1-951-785-1295; Toll Free: 1-800-236-3641; Fax: 1-951-785-1595) at AToday, so we can learn more from readers for whom this issue matters. ArticlesNo articles in this issue. |