To all women in ministry: I made an unwise decision that affects you, and I am sorry. I did not stand beside you when I should have.
I published two op-eds—a Voices article on April 3 and an editorial on May 17—responding to and referencing a list of Southern Baptist churches with women as pastors in various roles. Prior to those articles being published, the compiler of the list sent it to pastors throughout the Southern Baptist Convention.
Some people used the list to harass women named on it. I made the decision to host a copy of that list on our website as a means of holding the list compiler accountable. In both the articles, I included a link to the list.
I don’t know if any harassment came as a result of the list being on our website, but the possibility is there. I did not intend for anyone to be harassed—least of all women in ministry—and yet it happened.
We removed the list and links to it from our website after one of you contacted me this week expressing concern about the list being on our website. I am grateful that person contacted me. It shouldn’t have taken that for the list to be removed.
Women should not be harassed—especially by fellow Christians. Women, who are created in God’s image and carry the breath of God just as men, should not be harassed. I am grieved and angry women have been harassed for following God’s call to serve in ministry.
It also shouldn’t take having a woman in ministry in your life to feel that way. But it did for me.
God called my wife to ministry, as well as one of her sisters. I know how seriously they take God’s call, and I’ve seen their dedication to God lived out over decades.
When I was a pastor, I affirmed women in ministry. Affirming women in ministry is important enough to my wife and me that when I left the pastorate to become editor of the Baptist Standard, we joined a church that shares our conviction and also affirms women in ministry.
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To all women in ministry, whatever your title—pastor, minister, director, leader, missionary, deacon, teacher, musician, chaplain, communicator, assistant, volunteer, spouse, parent or otherwise—God’s call on you should not be doubted, mocked or minimized—certainly not more than God’s call on a man.
On the contrary, the fact you have endured hardships, questions, doubts, criticisms and more just for being a woman following God’s call is worthy of honor and respect.
Women in ministry, whatever your title or role, you need our encouragement. You need our prayer and support. You need us to work alongside you.
My decision to host the list did the opposite, and I am sorry.
My apology cannot be the end of the story. Affirmation of women in ministry must be born out in action. What must follow is for me to encourage you directly and to stand alongside you, taking hits with you and dividing the load. I encourage others who affirm women in ministry to do the same.
Eric Black is the executive director, publisher and editor of the Baptist Standard. He can be reached at eric.black@baptiststandard.com. The views expressed are those solely of the author.
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