Supporting the Surge
January 27, 2009 |
As I glanced over the last Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) alumni newsletter, my eye caught the announcement that the seminary had reached a significant milestone: 1,500 female alumni on their roster. As one of the first women to set foot on the DTS campus as a student, I admit my heart skipped a beat when I saw that number. The fact that DTS was celebrating this was even more satisfying.
Rock on DTS!
Here are more encouraging statistics: The latest Association of Theological Seminaries study (2007-08) reported 34% of seminary students are women. Interestingly enough, the same report indicates a significant rise in the numbers of women students between the ages of 40-64 - underscoring the happy notion that it's never too late to get started! Furthermore, women now comprise 23% of fulltime seminary faculty.
This growing trend is one of the biggest success stories of the modern church, and we should be making a lot of noise about it. I know there are still some who question (or flat out oppose) the decision to offer theological education to women and still some seminaries that refuse to admit them. Opinions divide over how far women can go with their theological training and whether or not seminaries are capitulating to the culture (and more specifically to feminist influence) by opening their doors to women. But there is strong biblical warrant for what is happening.
The subject matter alone is reason enough for women to be part of the seminary community at every level. After all, theology is the study of God and no one (not even women) can get too much of that! Hopefully, the presence of women in theological seminaries will correct the misperception that theology is for men only and women should just learn from them.
Let us not forget that Jesus defended Mary's desire to "sit at his feet" and learn along with His male disciples - a description that identifies her as a rabbinical student. As I noted in my book, When Life and Beliefs Collide, Mary was the first real NT theologian to grasp the meaning of His atonement and the hope of his resurrection. Even Mary's sister Martha began theologizing as she conversed with Jesus after the death of her brother Lazarus. Then there are His challenging interactions with the Samaritan and Syrophoenician women, as well as His choice of Mary Magdalene and the other women from Galilee to be the first witnesses and proclaimers of the resurrected Jesus. All this in a culture that rarely if ever offered formal education to women, where men avoided public conversation with women, and where a woman's testimony was inadmissible in a court of law.
I have hard time believing Jesus isn't rejoicing in the swelling numbers of women pursuing theological studies today.
It is indeed a good thing that more women are walking the hallowed halls of seminaries. What is more, there is a growing recognition that the seminary community needs women. My latest book, The Gospel of Ruth, reinforced this conviction, as I studied the conversations between Ruth and Boaz - discussions over Mosaic Law where Ruth's insights expanded Boaz's understanding and subsequent actions. Likewise today, the involvement of women in theological seminaries is changing things for the better. Suddenly a new pair of eyes falls upon the biblical text. A new perspective that has for centuries been missing is now enriching the discussion of God and His Word. And men - both fellow seminary students and professors - are the better for it.
And isn't this the way things are supposed to be? When God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone," what part of life did He exclude? Even in seminary - maybe especially in seminary - men and women need each other.
So, I'm celebrating the numbers! It is glorious to see them surging.
And now a word to women seminarians - students, alumni, and professors (yes, this is a commercial): If you're feeling isolated, alone, or unwelcome, if you've hit a wall in your job search, or you simply want to connect with other like-minded women who believe in you and want to see you flourish in your academic and ministry pursuits - Synergy2009 is for you!
Come join us MARCH 6-8, 2009, and let us cheer you on!
Carolyn Custis James (MA in biblical studies) is a vibrant new voice with a biblical and affirming message for women. Her vision is eloquently and passionately articulated in her books, When Life and Beliefs Collide: How Knowing God Makes a Difference (Zondervan, 2001), Lost Women of the Bible: Finding Strength and Significance through Their Stories (Zondervan, 2005), and The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules. Carolyn is the president of WhitbyForum, a ministry dedicated to helping women go deeper in their relationship with God and serve him alongside their Christian brothers.
Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on January 27, 2009
Comments
Great news and I rejoice too. Though from personal experience I can tell you that one of the most painful things many of these women will have to go through is being barred from the pastorate and sometimes even completely overlooked for any significant leadership position after so much time, money and effort in such training, for no other reason than their gender. Painful and humiliating.
Posted by: Yoyo on January 29, 2009
There are many more opportunities for Women to serve other than the pastorate. I personally believe the Bible does not affirm women pastoring churches; however, as a woman that has never been a barrier to me for doing ministry.
Instead of focusing on what we can't do focus on what we can do and I am sure we will be more fruitful in our service to Christ.
I applaud all women who want to be more educated about the Word of God. That should be the desire of every Christian even though they may not attain it through formal training. Those who do can teach those who can't!
Posted by: Rhonda on January 30, 2009
It can also be viewed as sad, in a sense, as well, because once a profession becomes feminized, males flee to professions viewed as more masculine by society. Soon, almost all pastors and church workers will be female, much like elementary school teachers. Just a fact...
Posted by: Phil8 on January 30, 2009
Growing up in church, I couldn't get enough of the Bible. I went through all of Campus Crusade for Christ Bible guides, joined the Navigators's 6-week summer training program, and availed myself of all local sources. I felt called to missions when I was 15, and the Lord granted me the desires of mt heart. My husband and I (and our 4 children) spent 28 years in Latin America. My husband recieved a Master's degree in Missions and a PhD in Intercurtural Studies. Not until we returned to the US in 1999 was I able to step back into the classroom, finishing a BA and then a Master's in Theology. My primary focus is in guiding my children, their spouses, and our beautiful granchildren to daily choose life! I am blessed to have had these wonderful educational opportunities.
Posted by: Linda on January 31, 2009
I lead/teach/minister to women and children. I believe this is extremely significant leadership, and I believe the Lord considers it significant also. I am content and I rejoice. In no way do I find ministering to "the least of these" painful and humiliating.
Posted by: pao on January 31, 2009
I'm glad to see this news from DTS. As the Holy Spirit continues to move in the issue of women in ministry, he will open more and more eyes to the fact that the verses that supposedly prohibit women from leadership in churches were in fact speaking to a particular issue in a particular culture. Jesus has opened the doors for women in all areas of ministry. As for men fleeing ministry if more women enter, I'd have to seriously question these men's calling if they do that.
Posted by: K. on February 2, 2009
Great Article Ms. James! I think regardless of a person's postion in the egalitarian/complementarian perspective... women should be given solid theological training... if... for no other reason then the to be able to proficently teach other women! I think we should celebrate this milestone!
Posted by: marg on February 3, 2009
I also minister primarily to children, and would like to say that I feel it is the highest calling that I could possibly have received. If you look at the statistics involving the ages at which people become lifelong followers of Christ, then ministering to children and their families must be a priority. I'm grateful for my seminary training and am in the process of applying for admission to the Ph. D. program. And I am one of those better late than never people. I can't wait to see what God will do while and after I finish this degree. I am also excited for the opportunities that I see opening up for my daughters to pursue avenues of ministry that were not open when I began. I believe that in the world we currently live in, that we need every man and woman to be willing to minister in whatever capacity they are called to. There is too much at stake for us to be idle or disobedient.
Posted by: Anne on February 4, 2009
Great article! I just finished reading one of your books and I have two more on order. I graduated from Seminary in 2006. My experience there was rich and eye opening.
I am so thankful that the Lord prompted me and is using me in an even greater way than He was before. I work as a Pastoral Counselor to women and have the support of the church I am now attending.
My seminary eduction occurred in my fifties and I met people there in their sixties and seventies. God is calling people to a higher level of understanding.
Thanks for what you are doing. Only wish I lived closer to Florida so I could attend the conference. We have nothing like that where I live. In our area ( Marin County) the Christian population is very small and lots of people are hurting when it comes to resources. I thank the Lord for using me in this place.
Blessings to you Carolyn.
Posted by: Alicia on February 6, 2009
I have been on the road, so am just catching up with these great comments. The issues raised here—the difficulty of finding jobs, how men and women work together, encouraging women to pursue theological training no matter where they serve—are reasons why we started Synergy in the first place. Your comments reinforce for me the importance of what we're doing.
Join us in Orlando March 6-8!
http://www.synergytoday.org/conferences.html
Posted by: Carolyn Custis James on February 15, 2009