Women in the pulpit: Denominations divided, but local pastor says she has been welcomed

The Rev. Ann Mowery understands the challenges some women clergy face in churches throughout the United States.

Though Mowery has never experienced ill-will from her congregations during 15 years of full-time ministry, she understands a woman in the pulpit could bring on some hardships from church members.

"While women may face some challenges that our male counterparts don't have, I find that being a woman lets me express compassion in ways men can't do," said Mowery, pastor of Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville. "If a church has never had a woman pastor, that could be difficult, but I've never been the first female pastor. My congregations have always believed I can be their pastor."

Although some may question whether a woman can lead a church, she said, the Old and New Testament specifically mention women in such leadership roles in the judicial system and house churches.

Mowery is one of 10,000 female clergy serving in United Methodist churches throughout the United States. The denomination has 44,842 clergy, according to the Associated Press.

The denomination recently launched the Lead Women Pastor Project, which examines why 85 of about 1,100 clergy posts in Methodist churches with more than 1,000 members are filled by women.

While the United Methodist Church ordains women as clergy, other denominations oppose the practice.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.com Pastor Ann B. Mowery sings the hymn "My Hope is Built" during an Ash Wednesday service at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville.

According to the Southern Baptist Convention's Baptist Faith and Message belief statement, "the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture." In the early 1980s the convention passed a resolution recognizing ordination is restricted to men, though the decision on whether to ordain is left to local churches.

The Rev. Mark Anderson, pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, said Southern Baptist churches believe Scripture teaches that women may serve in all aspects of ministry. Lynwood is part of the 33-member Cape Girardeau Baptist Association.

"Most would not have a problem with women serving on a church staff, as missionaries and with parachurch ministries, but do not believe women should hold the offices of pastor or deacon, citing 1 Timothy 3:1-13," Anderson said. "Some Southern Baptist churches allow women to serve as deacons because of the nature of their deacon ministry. Their deacon ministry is not viewed as one of authority but service."

Even though disagreement may persist on the issue, Mowery believes Southeast Missourians have been civil about it.

ELIZABETH DODD ~ edodd@semissourian.com Pastor Ann B. Mowery puts on her robe before an Ash Wednesday service at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville.

"This community is very open and accepting," Mowery said. "Even pastors who don't ordain women have been very congenial. This is a wonderful place to be in ministry."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628