Breaking the Stained
Glass Ceiling

By Rosalie LoPinto, 11.08.06

The Episcopal Church made history on Nov. 4, 2006 by naming a female bishop for the first time in its 500 year history.

This ordination is an example of the rising trend of female ordination in the U.S. Although there seems to be a correlation between socially liberal denominations and female ordination, some say the two are not connected.

Rev. Maureen Doyle of Rhode Island, who is part of the Elim Fellowship, a Pentecostal denomination based in Rochester, New York, does not believe the church should be influenced by cultural pressures.

“Though my fellowship ordains women to the ministry, it is not because of any social trends,” she said. “All of our practices must be based on Biblical truth. If we give in to societal pressures, we are opening a Pandora’s Box and that will put us on a very slippery slope.”

Pam Wearing is a team member with womenpriests.org, an organization advocating ordination of women in the Roman Catholic Church. Wearing believes the role of women in the early church is clear. She sees a need for keeping in step with society.

“In the moral sphere, culture throws up new situations which demand new answers. We now have insights into mental illness, the nature of disease, etc. which alter radically the ways in which we understand and behave,” Wearing said. “We have to listen to the scientists, psychologists, and others who have contributed to our understanding of ourselves and our world. All truth matters.”

Although Wearing believes Christians should pay attention to societal trends, she said a line must be drawn at some point.

“When it becomes clear that society is going far astray from what leads to human flourishing, the Church has a task to challenge and act in a countercultural way,” Wearing said.

Roman Catholicism, several Protestant denominations and the Eastern Orthodox Church all hold conservative views on women clergy. Though leadership in the Eastern Orthodox Church is limited to
men, women are given ample opportunity to serve. Father Cremeens explained that women may function in different roles under the blessing of the Bishop or Priest.

"There are women preachers, teachers, theologians and pastors, who assist the priest in his ministry of pastoring. Women serve on the local church boards."

He explained that the church’s position has a biblical as well as historical basis.

“Our understanding of the ordained ministry comes from a 2,000 year history of our understanding of the Scriptures as well as the Spirit-inspired practices of the Church since the days of the apostles,” Cremeens said.

Rev. Judy Mensch, who serves in the Assemblies of God, offers her advice to women in ministry.

“If you have to fight for your rights, you’re admitting you don't have any,” she said. “Use your energy to serve God and do his will. Doors will open and doors will close; and not just because you’re a woman. They open for other reasons, and close for other reasons.”

Mensch believes a woman who is truly called to a life in the ministry will be vindicated. “God will fight for you,” she said.