Ministry News

Women Rising in the Assemblies, Part II

Details: Thursday, 06 August 2009 23:28

Like other Pentecostal segments of the church, the Assemblies of God (AG) has long recognized and accepted women pastors. But the denomination pioneered new ground this week by electing a woman to the Executive Presbytery.

The Rev. Beth Grant became the first female elected to the AG's second-highest policy-making body for the 2.8 million-member denomination. Already the chairperson for the AG's Women in Ministry Network, Grant has also served as a missionary to India along with her husband for almost 30 years and is the U.S. liaison for Project Rescue, a five-city AG ministry for prostitutes and sex-trade workers.

"We as a movement are who we are because women went to the ends of the earth with nothing more than the call of God," Grant said after receiving a standing ovation from those attending this week's General Council meeting in Orlando, Fla. "We are here today and we in this vote are saying thank you God for the women in our movement."

Grant, who has also been a professor at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla., thanked the women attending the meeting for their patience throughout the election-heavy days. "But after 90-something years, what's a few hours?" she joked.

Earlier in the week, Grant spoke of her gratitude for the stance the AG's executive leadership has taken toward women in ministry. "The call of God is not a gender issue, it's an obedience issue," she said. "Being female is not an excuse for not fulfilling God's purpose for your life. … [This is] a wonderful moment for the church to recognize God lays His hand on women and to say they bring something to the table." [theledger.com, 8/5/09]

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Comments

+2 #3 Pastor Don Railey 2009-08-15 04:45

Mary - good comments -- let God use you where HE "plants" you. Anne - please understand that when God calls a woman into His service, she can "shepherd" the people HE gives her, while under submission to authority. God give authority only to those under authority. This doesn't violate the spirit of the Scriptures when the apostle Paul teaches of women in the church. Joel prophesied of a day when "sons and daughters" who "prophesy" -- or proclaim God's Word. I am delighted that Rev. Beth Grant, a missionary, is now represented the women of the Assemblies on the Executive Presbytery of the denomination. I know Beth personally and know her to be a "woman under authority" to both her church and her husband, David. These are exciting days to be alive in the Body of Christ. God is wanting to use both men and women to accomplish His purposes in the world. Make room for the Spirit to work.

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0 #2 Anne H. 2009-08-14 12:39

Although I have no doubt that God calls us to serve in any number of capacities as women, I cannot agree that He calls women to be Pastors. It goes against all that is confirmed in Scripture regarding headship and submission. Women are, indeed, called to teach and admonish using Scripture to the fullest extent, however, I firmly believe that women who claim they are "called" to be a pastor are fulfilling their own agendas. Do not forget, we are not in heaven yet. Here on Earth, there is a hierarchy regarding headship especially when it comes to headship in the church. Heaship has to do with authority, and for a woman to be a Pastor, man would have to submit to her authority, which is contrary to Scripture from beginning to end, until we enter eternity where at last there will be no male or female, no husband or wife, but one body in service to, and praise for our Head and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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+1 #1 Mary Drakeford 2009-08-08 04:38

this article just blessed my soul. It also gave me a confirmation. I was called out in 1992 and sent to seven different churches of different denominations. I have been ignored for the most part.

God made it plain to me when HE anointed me for HIS serviced. I am glad women are getting their just rewards. GOD made this crystal clear when he told Mary to go tell the disciples that HE has risen. HE let me see the shift taken place. Women would be used in a mighty way during the ends times for HIS glory.

I am a lay person but I have been used in a mighty way in the school system. He said, He wants none lost.

THANK GOD for you and may GOD continue to empower HIS women for HIS work in the vineyard. It's harvest season

In Christ
Mary
www.spiritfilledcreations.com

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