Women Clergy

[ltwin]

In the Orthodox Church, while we do not have women clergy, the wives of the clergy do take central roles in the life of the parish. Most especially the wife of the priest (as opposed to the wives of the deacons and subdeacons). While they never preside in the Liturgy, they are more often than not involved in most, if not all, non-Liturgical activities of the Church. In Slavic traditions, they are called “Mother” (Matushka) the same way the priest is called “Father”. They are the mother of the parish family. In Greek traditions they are called Prebytera (female presbyters, or priestess), because they share in their husband’s ministry even though they never preside at the Liturgy.

Some African-American churches have a tradition of recognizing a particularly mature, wise, and spiritual woman within the congregation as “church mother.”

 

[jmcrae]

I am not sure how we can say with certainty what was authorized and what was not authorized by Jesus. After all women were not allowed to work outside the home and even own private property 2000 years ago - Jesus did not mention anything about that (At least I don’t think so). So is that not authorized by Jesus?

Jesus is God - if He had intended women to be priests, then we would have women priests. Unlike Judaism and other religions of the time, women receive the same Sacraments of Initiation as men, which was a departure from custom. Jesus also spoke face to face with women, which was also contrary to custom, so His failure to ordain women to His priesthood has absolutely nothing to do with fear of what the neighbours will think, or any kind of misogyny on His part.

Rather, the male takes up the priesthood on behalf of Adam, who failed to make the appropriate sacrifices for Eve when she was tempted by the Devil, thus producing the need for a priesthood, to begin with. If Adam had done what was necessary to save Eve from the Devil, no sacrifices and no priesthood would ever have been required. But Eve (woman) is not required to make these sacrifices on account of Adam’s failure - that would not correct the situation.

 

[4Squarebaby]

ltwin:

Quote:

Some African-American churches have a tradition of recognizing a particularly mature, wise, and spiritual woman within the congregation as “church mother.”

It may have its root in the African Church. While neither the United Methodist of my youth or the Foursquare Church is part of the “Black Church” like the AME,COGIC or Missionary Baptist are there are Black dominated congregations but I never heard of “the church mother” until I joined a local church dominated by Nigerians

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[IgnatianPhilo]

God is sexist cause I can’t give birth, just saying.

 

[Publisher]

Friends have recognized the gift of ministry is given to women and Recorded them as such from the start of the Society of Friends.

 

[SteveVH]

Friends have recognized the gift of ministry is given to women and Recorded them as such from the start of the Society of Friends.

I don’t see a real problem with women being ministers within faith traditions such as yours because you do not claim to have (and do not have) a ministerial priesthood. I would think a women could perform anything that a man could in such a situation.

If we use Christ and the Apostles as our examples, women were never ordained. The deeper reason for this has already been adequately explained (man, representing Christ, the “other Adam”, must make sacrifice). When there is no priesthood, you are left with basically lay people doing everything, so who cares?