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CRC women study for a job they may not get

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mwkruse
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Presbyterian News Service: CRC women study for a job they may not get

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — On a sun-drenched Sunday afternoon, Meg Jenista steps to the pulpit of Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church (CRC) and confidently reads Jesus’ words from the Gospel of John.

“I am the true vine, and my father is the gardener,” Jenista reads to about 65 worshipers at the 6 p.m. service. The church has a female pastor and reserves four sermons a year for female seminarians like Jenista.

“Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Then, concluding the Scripture passage with a warm smile, she tells them, “This is my command: Love each other.”

This is what Jenista, a student at Calvin Theological Seminary, loves and wants to do: preach the word of God in a Christian Reformed Church.

But many in the CRC do not believe the Bible allows women to preach. So Jenista, like the 20 other women studying for the ministry at Calvin Seminary, lives with the uncertainty and the rigorous preparation for a job that may or may not await her after graduating next spring.  …

Comments

5 responses to “CRC women study for a job they may not get”

  1. Sam Carr Avatar
    Sam Carr

    As usual Michael, you are pointing out a vital issue. there is the ethical question of the seminary accepting a student for a course of study that at present does not lead to a job as well as the matter of allowing women to preach.
    The CRC may argue that they have plenty of other ‘more fitting’ roles that female seminary graduates can fit themselves into, and quite usefully too!
    p.s. Kudos for another effective presentation at jesuscreed on women in ministry.

    Reply
  2. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    Thank you Sam. Jesus Creed is a one of a kind place. Scot is doing a real service to the church by making space for these conversations.

    Reply
  3. Ted Gossard Avatar
    Ted Gossard

    Michael, too bad. I see in the Evangelical Covenant denomination of which our church is a part of that though they’ve ordained women for over thirty years, this does not translate into enough opportunities necessarily for the women. If the people in the community don’t accept it, the church can tend to draw back and simply give in to considering only male pastors.
    I notice many women’s names as Rev. so and so in mailings containing “Our Daily Bread”. I’m surprised at the number of them.
    But mainline Protestant denominations might be getting women like Jenista as I think some of them need more pastors (and I’ve even thought about doing that). Thanks, Michael.

    Reply
  4. Amy Borjas Avatar
    Amy Borjas

    Michael, thanks for this post. I am struggling with this dilemna myself at the moment. As a stay-at-home mother of three, I am considering entering seminary in the Fall. Although very excited, the primary drawback for me is the financial impact of my education and the corresponding fact that I am not likely to have a job out of the whole deal when I’m done.

    Reply
  5. Michael W. Kruse Avatar
    Michael W. Kruse

    Amy, I am curious if you have been in conversation with other women in a similar situation. If so, what advice have you been given? I’d love to know more.
    (Personally, I think the whole seminary education thing is out of whack but that gets to other issues.)

    Reply

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