During the past 20 years the Church of the Nazarene has seen a significant increase in the number of young women called into the ministry. Today nearly 30 percent of all religion students in Nazarene institutions are women, with two institutions reporting that 65 percent of those preparing for missionary service are women. God is pouring out His Spirit. How will the church respond? While women comprise nearly one-third of those preparing for ministry, only 15 percent of all ministers in the Church of the Nazarene in Canada and the U.S. are women. To further help women preparing for ministry find a place to serve, the office of Clergy Development created the USA/Canada Women Clergy Council for the Church of the Nazarene. The council's purpose is to resource the church in development, placement, and support of women called to vocational ministry. What is the current environment for women clergy? Carla Sunberg (CS), pastor of evangelism at Grace Point Church of the Nazarene in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and chair of the USA/Canada Women Clergy Council, asked three Nazarenes to delve into this topic: Crawford Howe (CH), superintendent of the Northwestern Illinois District, who is working to change the culture and pave the way for women in ministry; Laura High (LH), an evangelist in the Church of the Nazarene and associate pastor at the Hartford City, Indiana, Church of the Nazarene; and Althea Taylor (AT), who is transitioning from serving as an associate pastor into the position of coordinator for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries USA/Canada. CS: What have you done to open the door for women in ministry? CH: Several years ago we decided our district leaders would no longer use only male gender

"As far as I'm concerned, men and women have the same responsibilities, privileges, and opportunities."—Crawford Howe

language when referring to ministers. Also, I have tried to make a difference in subtle ways. For example, when one of our female clergy joins a group of people I'm in, I'll say, "Hi, Preacher,"or "Hi, Pastor."This helps others see the respect and camaraderie that exists, and that there really is no difference between the women and the men in ministry. As far as I'm concerned, men and women have the same responsibilities, privileges, and opportunities. Our district has a program called POP (Pastors on Purpose) that brings pastors together monthly for spiritual formation and leadership development. Of 60 churches on our district, approximately 30-40 people come to the POP sessions. Of that group, 25 percent are women. They're not trying to prove anything. These women have modeled a great spirit on our district, with tender spirits and teachable hearts. CS: Who are those who have been champions in your ministry, Laura? LH: My husband, Steve, serves as senior pastor at the Church of the Nazarene in Hartford

"My seminary professors encouraged me, but none of them ever acted like fulfilling my calling was going to be easy."—Laura High

City, Indiana. He has been one of my biggest champions, especially supporting me as I attended Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City. Along the way, my seminary professors encouraged me, but none of them ever acted like fulfilling my calling was going to be easy. They were realistic and wanted me to be prepared. My local church is a great support. Officially, I am on staff as an associate while I work toward ordination. I am an evangelist, but in today's culture, it's hard to get enough speaking engagements to provide me with the required hours for ordination. Also, the women's ministry at my church has gone out of their way to support me. They have worked hard to have me speak at special events that have given me exposure within the Christian community. Northeastern Indiana District Superintendent David Roland has been incredibly supportive. He appointed me as the director of evangelism for the district. Also, he encouraged me to be the morning teacher during district camp meeting, and to present a course on evangelism. Now, I am in a regular rotation to teach in the course of study on our district. CS: Althea, how did you get into ministry? AT: Growing up in the Church of the Nazarene, my dream was to become a lawyer. I received my bachelor's in business administration and then an M.S. in technology management. I completed my studies while I was working in the corporate world as a mid-level manager in telecommunications. Just as I was completing my master's degree, I felt the Lord telling me I needed to resign my job and enter full-time ministry. Seymour Cole, founding pastor of my home church, and then Sam Vassel, the pastor that followed him, became my champions. When I shared with Pastor Cole about my call, he told me I needed a theological education. However, he didn't just tell me I needed an education, he immediately found a school and suggested the classes I should take. CS: Besides helping you get into school, what else did your champions do to encourage you? AT: As my pastor, Sam Vassel publicly affirmed me and provided an environment within which I could feel safe. If I preached on Sunday morning, he would catch me between the two services and tell me how I could tweak my sermon. However, he never corrected me publicly. In public he would always affirm me, often in front of the entire congregation. My district superintendent was Dallas Mucci, and he would give me opportunities to be up front in district-wide events. CS: Laura, have you faced any awkward moments in your ministry? AT: Recently another female pastor and I went to our district skills school, a two-day workshop for pastors. The pastors on our district are very accepting of female ministers. However, plans had been made for all pastors to share one dorm room during the workshop. They had to scramble to find us a place to stay. We all laughed about it! CS: Have you ever encountered people who opposed your ministry? AT: At first it was hard for people in my church to accept me. As the first baby to be

"I have lived to see some of those cold shoulders become warm."—Althea Taylor

dedicated in that church, I had grown up in front of them. I was "little Althea." It took a long while for the senior "saints" to see me in a new light. However, Pastor Sam was always on the firing line for me. People wrote him letters and told him why I shouldn't be a pastor. He stood up for me. I have lived to see some of those cold shoulders become warm. Those who didn't want to accept me now call me "Pastor." Carla Sunberg, former missionary, is currently pastor of evangelism at Grace Point Church of the Nazarene, Fort Wayne, Indiana. She chairs the Women Clergy Council USA/Canada. Holiness Today, May/June 2008

 

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