Recommendation to ordain women fails

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Lancaster (Pa.) Mennonite Conference ministers did not sufficiently affirm a recommendation from the LMC Board of Bishops that would have allowed for the ordination of women. The decision emerged from a ballot count on Jan. 19; all active ordained and licensed ministerial leaders in the conference were eligible to vote.

There are 455 active credentialed leaders in LMC. Of the 359 credentialed leaders who voted, 65.74 percent affirmed the recommendation and 34.26 percent did not affirm the recommendation. LMC’s constitution requires 66.67 percent for approval.

The vote followed a lengthy process of spiritual discernment. In March 2006, the Board of Bishops introduced a process of spiritual discernment to consider a policy that would enable congregations to follow their convictions in discerning the gifts and calling of people—regardless of gender—into ordained leadership roles in the congregation.

Following 10 regional cluster meetings for credentialed leaders and three forums for lay people in April and May 2006, the 23-member Board of Bishops reviewed the diverse feedback from across the conference.

This feedback—along with dwelling in God’s Word, prayer, fasting, listening, searching and study—moved the Board of Bishops to approve a recommendation in August 2006. The recommendation was then sent to leaders with ministerial credentials for their discernment and affirmation.

The bishops’ recommendation said

• that Lancaster Mennonite Conference respect each member congregation in its discernment of Scripture, as led by the Holy Spirit, to call and affirm people to serve in ministry and pastoral leadership and

• that the LMC Board of Bishops license and/or ordain, regardless of gender, those who have responded to God’s call, who have been affirmed by their respective congregation and who meet LMC qualifications for credentialing.

The recommendation also includes the following understandings:

• To most fully respect the differing scriptural understandings, beliefs and practices of our congregations, the role of bishop and similar conference oversight roles, will be reserved for men.

• The Board of Bishops will assist in defining protocol for healthy, God-honoring male and female relationships in ministry teams.

Within Lancaster Mennonite Conference there are a variety of beliefs and practices regarding roles of men and women in ministry and pastoral leadership. Contrary to the either/or clarity that some people wished to bring to this discussion, the practice of LMC congregations is more accurately described as a continuum in which women are involved to lesser or greater degrees in congregations.

Through the process of spiritual discernment, it was clear that equally sincere and faithful people understand Scripture differently and come to differing conclusions regarding the practice of women in leadership and ordination.

Because this recommendation was not affirmed, the policy affirmed by credentialed leaders in 1999 will remain in effect. The 1999 recommendation approved granting a license for specific ministry to women serving on church-planting teams, pastoral teams or other specific ministries.

While this license grants all the privileges and responsibilities of an ordained person, this credential does not lead toward ordination for women.  The 1999 policy states that men will serve as lead pastors in LMC congregations and any exceptions require the approval of the bishop board.—from a release by Lancaster Mennonite Conference

Executive board gets the news
Results from the Lancaster (Pa.) Mennonite Conference leaders’ vote on ordination for women reached the Mennonite Church USA Executive Board while it was meeting in Meridian, Miss., Jan. 18-20 (see page 20).

Before gathering to pray for the members of Lancaster Conference in the room, three women who are waiting for ordination in Lancaster Conference were invited to share their responses.
“I really appreciate the support of the bishop board,” said Addie Banks, from the King of Glory Tabernacle, Bronx, N.Y. “I and my sisters will continue in our pastoral ministries as called by God.”

“I hope we can get really creative in walking on from here,” said Jane Hoober Peifer, pastor at Blossom Hill Mennonite Church in Lancaster, and “find a third way.”

Iris de León-Hartshorn, Lancaster, was in her first meeting as a new member of Mennonite Church USA’s Executive Leadership; she is director of the intercultural relations office.
“I ask for prayers for all young women in seminary,” said de León-Hartshorn. “Some are already leaving for other denominations.”

Executive Board member Samuel Lopez is also a bishop in Lancaster Mennonite Conference.
“I feel the pain of the women,” Lopez said, “and I know many bishops will be feeling the pain.”  

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