'In the end, the SBC possesses a domineering, fear-based theology that is unsurprisingly patriarchal and harmful to women, as well as to marginalized groups.' 📝 Donovan McAbee
. I was shaped by the loving members of that congregation, who nurtured my prayer life, who challenged me to engage more deeply with our Scripture. But the pastors there largely failed me. They, like so many of the voices in the SBC, created an atmosphere that didn’t allow them or their views on gender roles or the Bible to be openly questioned. What they said was supposed to be gospel truth.
At that church, Calvary Baptist, in 1998, Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell was the first women to be called as senior pastor of a Southern Baptist Church in the state of Texas. Under her leadership, I found a faith community that while Baptist, shared little in common with the atmosphere of fear and control I’d known at the church in which I grew up. I found a religious leader who not only allowed questions but encouraged them as part of the life of faith.
At present, the Southern Baptist Convention continues its long slide into solidifying its patriarchal views of the world, of Scripture, and of the Church. This will only lead to more harm to women, and whether they could ever bring themselves to see this, it will bring harm even to these men in leadership themselves, whose view of the world and of God is so tragically insular and flawed.
I wish for them the freedom I experienced under the leadership of a female pastor, of an approach to the Christian faith that recognized we don’t possess all the answers, an approach which affirms that questions are part of a healthy faith, a faith that is welcoming rather than exclusionary.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine 'recaptures village in Zaporizhzhia' in new gain on southern front of counteroffensive🔴 A Russian-installed official in southern Ukraine has acknowledged Ukrainian troops have recaptured a village in the Zaporizhzhia region, marking Kyiv’s first gain on that frontline in its counteroffensive
Read more »
Southern Water bills could rise by 73% by 2030, leaflets claimThe water company says the proposed 73% hike is not confirmed, but is part of a research programme.
Read more »
China Returns To Coal As Hydropower Falters | OilPrice.comChina’s coal-fired generation has increased the most of any power source this year as hydroelectric production has fallen amid lower-than-normal rainfalls that have reduced water levels on the biggest rivers and depleted hydro reservoirs.
Read more »
Ukraine war latest: Why Moscow doesn't want UN to see flood-hit area; Russia uses 'bomb tank''I sense Russia doesn't want outside eyes into that area, not least because there are credible reports that they're using the flood as a defence,' retired Air Marshal Edward Stringer tells Sky News after Moscow refuses UN access to the flood-hit area in southern Ukraine.
Read more »
Thunderstorms and heavy rain warning in place for WatfordA yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is in place covering Watford again after flooding last week.
Read more »
Weather warning in place across NI for the week aheadThe Met Office have issued a yellow weather warning for Northern Ireland at the start of the week as the wet weather looks set to continue
Read more »