Chapter 6: Denominations and Centers Committed to forms of Gender Inclusion
The following denominations are known for their commitments to the inclusion of women in the life and ministry of their churches. They recognize women as lay leaders, ordained ministers, and use inclusive language within their worship services. Also, many of these denominations are committed to gender issues and inclusion surrounding homosexual Christians. Not all of the following churches have fully included homosexuals into the life, practices, and ministry opportunities of their respective denominations. However, many of them continue to dialogue on subject. Listed below are their positions and resources for gender inclusion in the life and ministry of the church.
Episcopal Church
The Episcopal Church of the America is committed to using gender inclusive language within their worship texts. They are also committed to achieving a balance in the clergy regarding the number and women and men. Homosexuality in the Episcopal Church in America is like the topic of homosexuality in other churches. It is a topic and a situation that divides its people. While they continue to support a homosexual Bishop and call for the admittance and acceptance into the life of their churches, the issues surrounding the Church in general are complicated. May this section be of assistance:
The following websites contains information regarding their stance on inclusive language, history of women in ministry, and the worship resources for practicing this stance:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/liturgy_music.htm
http://www.womensministries@episcopalchurch.org
Presbyterian Church USA
The PCUSA includes women in their church. Women have the ability to be ordained and participate within the life and life and leadership of the PCUSA church. Their doctrine and General Assembly clearly state their position on women. The General Assembly has also adopted a current understanding of homosexuals in the PCUSA. According to their statements they welcome homosexuals into their church and its worship services. However, homosexuals are not allowed to become ordained by the PCUSA due to their understanding and sexuality and marriage for clergy. The following are resources about and for women and homosexuals in the PCUSA:
I invite you to search their website for broader information regarding women and homosexuals in the church: http://www.pcusa.org
Well Chosen Words
Is a published brochure explaining the Presbyterian use of inclusive language. It also discusses the theological impetus for exploring the fullness of God: http://www.pcusa.org/women/history-theology/inclusivelanguage.htm
The following is a quote taken from the notes of their General Assembly, their Book of Order, and doctrinal section of their current website regarding homosexuality:
- “In 1997, the approval by a majority of presbyteries of an amendment to the Book of Order known as ‘Amendment B’ (now section G-6.0106b) makes constitutional the following language:
Those who are called to office in the church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman (W-4.9001), or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to repent of any self-acknowledged practice which the confessions call sin shall not be ordained and/or installed as deacons, elders, or ministers of the Word and Sacrament.”
Unitarian Universalist
As a liberal tradition UUA is committed to full inclusion of women and homosexuals. They also recommend that member and organization use inclusive language at all times. Their website contains a plethora of documents, links, and resources for creating and participating in inclusive worship and language.
Interweave: An activist group
Unitarian Universalists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns
45 State St #380
Montpelier, VT 05602
Handbook of Religious Services: Church of the Larger Fellowship.CLF Press, 2005.
Daly, Mary. Beyond God the Father: Toward a Philosophy of Women's Liberation. Boston: Beacon, 1985.
United Church of Christ
The UCC openly affirms the ordination and full participation of both women and homosexuals. In fact, it was the first of the mainline denominations to ordain homosexuals over thirty years ago. The following are brief places to find broader resources for gender inclusive worship in their church.
God Speaks, Women Respond: UCC Women in Ministry Tell Their Stories, ed. by Nancy Peeler Keppel and Jeanette Stokes. United Church Press, 2004
Common Lot: A Publication for Women
Worship and Education Ministry Team
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
216-736-3876
“Global trend: World's oldest Protestant churches now ordain gays and lesbians” by Andy Lang 2002.
This is a great article highlighting the inclusion of homosexuals into the ordination of the UCC church. It also contains lists of other churches around the world committed to gender inclusive ordination. It can be found at: http://www.ucc.org/ucnews/jun02/trend.htm
United Methodist Church
A little over 50 years ago, what would later become the UMC recognized the ordination of women and allowed all women full and equal participation in the life of the Church. The UMC is committed to supporting the full and equal human rights of homosexuals. However, they do not support homosexuals as ordained clergy.
The following website contains the official UMC statement regarding homosexuality as stated in the Book of Discipline 2004: http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1324
General Commission on the Role and Status of Women
1200 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 869-7330
toll free: (800) 523-8390
gcsrw@gcfa.org
General Board of Discipleship Area of Worship: This site contains numerous resources and links to resources for inclusive UMC worship.
Resource Center for Women in the South
Description of their organization from their website:
- “The Resource Center for Women and Ministry in the South is a twenty-seven-year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to weaving feminism and spirituality into a vision of justice for the world. Over the years we have sponsored dozens of workshops, conferences, and retreats on women and religion, equal rights, justice for women, economic development, and violence against women and children. We have mentored and encouraged young women, professionals in religious institutions, writers, and activists.”
Publications:
South of the Garden
$15 Yearly Subscription
Contact:
Jeanette Stokes
Executive Director
1202 Watts St.
Durham, NC 27701
919-683-1236
RCWMSNC@aol.com
http://rcwms.org