Post-WCG Life and Theology ARCHIVES

Despite my criticisms of both the historical and evangelical Worldwide Church of God, I will say that it has come a long way baby! You gotta give credit to what was a woman-hating organization (and I really believe the historic WCG and it's Armstrongist split-offs hate with a passion, the female sex, especially when the female sex becomes an adult---she is evil, the beauty of her body is especially wicked, women according to Armstrongism is a utility, all aesethetic aspects of a woman should never come into mind!) to an organization that respects women as an equal to a man in the eyes of God. The evangelical WCG went so far of doing a study paper on the issue of ordaining women to the ministry and has very recently ordained a woman into the ministry. The first woman to be ordained in the WCG to ministry is Debby Bailey of Kentucky. Where do I stand on this? I have taken a "moderate complementary" position on this issue. In other words, I have no hang-ups on women doing openening and closing prayer, even doing the occassional sermons and other active involements in the church but I was reluctant to have a woman as a "senior pastor" of a congregation or a "denominational leader" (whether WCG, Lutheran, Baptist, whatever). I believe God had a role for the men in the particular positions. Some friends from the place I attend services Good News Fellowship have contested my "moderate complementarianism" saying, "If you (Felix) can allow a woman to preach and teach, how come you cannot give the woman the recognition by ordaining them." Good question and I do not know all the answers. This is what I know, that the church, which is the invisible body of Christ, are a kingdom of priests---or in other words a preisthood of believers. We, the church are all ministers. When we believe the gospel, respond to it, we are empowered for ministry. It is not a option which you pick and choose what you eat from a menu, it is obligatory. God has created in us special abilities and talents, we should use them to our potential to glorify him. It doesn't matter what race, sex, ability or disability---believers are called to ministry regardless. I guess the issue is about "ordained ministry" is it the same as anyother ministry in the Christian church ---or something different. Obviously, the ultra-conservative splinters will take offence at the recent ordination believing that the WCG is truly apostate and going to The Lake of Fire. Some who have left WCG/XCG are quite happy about this, some have serious reservations and there are some who have left Armstrongism but who are very conservative Protestants believe that the WCG has committed heresy even if it is a minor heresy (which they mean it is non-salvational) it is harmful in some way. Anyway, I believe the Worldwide Church of God should have focused on more practical and pressing issues of dealing with accountability and dismantling the imperial power of pastor general, which if I had my way the office of the Pastor General would have resembled the office of the Archbishop of Canterburry as opposed to the Pope. If it is truly God's will and purpose for Mrs. Bailey to be in "ordained" ministry, I wish her well in her new office but my sympathies extend for her because the evangelical WCG is still an organization with sharks.

Read all about Mrs. Debby Bailey and her ordaination here at http://www.wcg.org/weekly/default.htm