Women in Leadership in the executive levels of the Seventh-day Adventist church

Abstract

There are too few women in the leadership or executive levels of the Seventh-day Adventist Church even though they represent more than 50% of the membership. Women are significantly underrepresented at every strata of Adventist executive leadership. This study examines the biblical foundations for inclusive ministry and how biblical church practice either includes or excludes women. Biblical foundations are examined with a view to increase the number of women in church leadership. The foundations begin with equality as the basis for relationships between male and female in their representation of God. This equality is never revoked. True equality is evident in a unity of brotherhood amongst God’s children, John 17. This study accepts that unity should be a distinguishing feature of the Adventist Church. Spiritual gifts are the foundation that edifies the church. These gifts are not gender specific and are awarded solely on the discretion of the Holy Spirit. The priesthood of all believers is an underlying principle flowing from the Old Testament right into eternity and Jesus Christ is the High Priest of all believers. Paul compares with Jesus and Luke in His inclusion and acknowledgement of women in his ministry; Roman 16 demonstrates this. Jesus came at a time when the world needed change but it is Jesus’ empowerment of women that arrests ones attention. The historical position of Adventists to women in leadership differs substantially from the current position. That vibrancy is lacking in the policy driven approach to women in leadership today. For mission success women must have their voice back.