Mid-America Union Communication Department Press Releases Regarding the Executive Committee Vote on March 8, 2012 to Support the Ordination of Women in Mid-America
Statement #1 / March 8 (Thursday)
In a continuing effort to support the role of women in ministry, the Mid-America Union Executive Committee in its regularly scheduled mid-winter meeting took the following action: “It is voted to support the ordination of women in the Mid-America Union.”
The committee also recognized the authority of the world church and the need for harmony across the various administrative levels of the Seventh-day Adventist faith community.”
Statement #2 / March 9 (Friday)
In a continuing effort to support the role of women in ministry, the Mid-America Union Executive Committee in its regularly scheduled mid-winter meeting took the following action: “It is voted to support the ordination of women in the Mid-America Union.”
“Nobody planned for this,” said Thomas L. Lemon, president of the union. “Without any expectation, the subject of ordaining women came up. In the ensuing discussion a consensus formed that gender should not disqualify any future candidate recommended by local conferences for ordination. The committee also recognized the authority of the world church and the need for harmony across the various administrative levels of the Seventh-day Adventist faith community.”
*The following addendum was not part of the statement itself but was attached for the sake of providing supporting information upon request:
One of our six local conferences may at some point vote the recommendation of a woman for ordination. The Mid-America Union Executive Committee will then evaluate the candidate on her own merits, without prejudice regarding gender, when deciding for or against ordination.
Statement #3 / March 12 (Monday)
On March 8, the Mid-America Union Conference (MAUC) Executive Committee voted to support the ordination of women to pastoral ministry. The vote followed a thorough discussion, in which the 35-member body representing six local conferences also focused on the need to move forward in harmony with the Seventh-day Adventist world church.
After the meeting, MAUC president Thomas L. Lemon testified that while the action was unplanned and unprecedented, he felt God’s presence at work within the committee. “To me, this means that we will no longer allow gender to prejudice decisions about candidates brought to this body for consideration,” he said. He emphasized that the group recognizes the authority of the world church and the need for harmony across administrative levels. “I consider myself a loyal son of the church that I have loved and belonged to for more than 50 years.” he said.
Since the meeting, some have wondered whether any female candidates are presently under consideration and if the union has the authority to ordain them. “We are not aware of any candidates, but at some point, one of our six local conferences may vote to recommend a woman for ordination,” Lemon explained. “As we do with all such requests, the union committee will then prayerfully evaluate the candidate on her own merits while making its decision.”
Lemon summarized the meaning of the committee’s action to be as follows:
- To affirm the priesthood of all believers, including women, in regards to the call to gospel ministry
- To support Seventh-day Adventist leaders, including those in North America, as they continue their efforts to follow the guidance of God’s Spirit regarding women in ministry and leadership
- To create a safe environment for local conferences to continue their own discussion of this subject to help them discern which candidates to recommend for pastoral ordination
Plans are being discussed by which the union will continue to study biblically the way forward, and our local conferences are encouraged to do the same for their fields. Union leaders are asking pastors and members across Mid-America to make this subject a matter of prayer so that the Holy Spirit, whose presence was deeply experienced by the MAUC Executive Committee, will continue to advance God’s kingdom in our territory.
Statement #4 / March 16 (Friday)
(Modification of #3: additions in bold; deletions in strikethrough)
On March 8, the Mid-America Union Conference (MAUC) Executive Committee voted to support the ordination of women to pastoral ministry. The vote followed a thorough discussion, in which the 35-member body representing six local conferences also focused on the need to move forward in harmony with the Seventh-day Adventist world church.
After the meeting, MAUC president Thomas L. Lemon testified that while the action was unplanned and unprecedented, he felt God’s presence at work within the committee. “To me, this means that we will no longer allow gender to prejudice decisions about candidates brought to this body for consideration,” he said. He emphasized that the group recognizes the authority of the world church and the need for harmony across administrative levels. “I consider myself a loyal son of the church that I have loved and belonged to for more than 50 years.” he said.
“There are a number of questions still under consideration,” stated Lemon. “We are in uncharted territory and our constituents should expect further clarification as our committee works their way through this.”
Since the meeting, some have wondered whether any female candidates are presently under consideration and if the union has the authority to ordain them. “We are not aware of any candidates, but at some point, one of our six local conferences may vote to recommend a woman for ordination,” Lemon explained. “As we do with all such requests, the union committee will then prayerfully evaluate the candidate on her own merits while making its decision.”
Lemon summarized the meaning of the committee’s action to be as follows:
- To affirm the priesthood of all believers, including women, in regards to the call to gospel ministry
- To support Seventh-day Adventist leaders, including those in North America, as they continue their efforts to follow the guidance of God’s Spirit regarding women in ministry and leadership
- To create a safe environment for local conferences to continue their own discussion of this subject to help them discern which candidates to recommend for pastoral ordination
Plans are being discussed by which the union will continue to study biblically the way forward, and our local conferences are encouraged to do the same for their fields. Union leaders are asking pastors and members across Mid-America to make this subject a matter of prayer so that the Holy Spirit, whose presence was deeply experienced by the MAUC Executive Committee, will continue to advance God’s kingdom in our territory.
*On March 19, Mid-America Union president Thomas L. Lemon issued a statement addressing questions raised by the executive committee vote that may not have been answered by the press releases above. Click here to read Statement #5.
