Women in Ministry (Mennonite Brethren Church, 1999)
Women in Ministry (MB, 1999)
Resolution
That women be encouraged to minister in the church in every function other than the lead pastorate. The church is to invite women to exercise leadership on Conference boards, in pastoral staff positions and in our congregations, institutions, and agencies. We ask women to minister as gifted, called and affirmed. We call the church to be increasingly alert to the gifts of women and to become more active in calling women to minister. We further call people in the Spirit of Christ to relate to one another in mutual respect as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Implications
- The 1981 resolution regarding ordination of women remains in effect.
- Conference leadership roles should be open to men and women equally. If necessary, changes should be made in the structures by which boards are selected to facilitate service by gifted women.
- Local congregations are called to free women to give leadership and service in all positions other than the lead pastorate.
- Members of the Mennonite Brethren church are to pray for growing unity in biblical understanding and in the practice of affirming leaders.
- Leaders are called to open the informal networks so that all members of leadership groups serve as full partners without any form of prejudicial exclusion from their inner workings, whether intentional or not, because of race, gender, age, or ethnicity.
Bibliography
Yearbook, 62nd Convention of the General Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, July 8-10, 1999. Winnipeg, Man. : Kindred Press, 1999: 30, 60-62, 68.
Additional Information
Resolution on the Ministry of the Women in the Church (Mennonite Brethren Church, 1981)
