in the company of women

today being International Women's Day n' all... (originally International Working Women's Day) and since some of my friends are promoting this event IN THE COMPANY OF WOMEN - paying attention to the place of women in Christian ministry leadership...

 

   I thought I would like to give a shout-out to some of the gifted and capable Christian women, in ministry leadership, who have influenced my life. I would have to say that the first woman I saw standing up front in church and doing stuff with skill and gifting was my mother Dorothy (I'm recollecting from about age 4 or 5, so mid-1960s through to the present day). Then I think of Mrs Christina Winslow (Faith Chapel), Miss Moyer, Miss Mouland (Dorion Bible Camp), Muriel Rorabeck. In fact, I can honestly say I don't remember hearing someone teach that women "shouldn't be in Christian leadership" until I was a teenager (mid-70s), by which time that thought just seemed confusing. 

As I worked in Christian camping from my mid-teens to mid-20s, I was constantly working alongside gifted women leaders. I lived in an intentional discipleship community on Vancouver Island for a year, where Joan McKee gave leadership and Debbie Maxie and Gloria Troll planted a church. The mission society that I joined (WEC) welcomed strong, gracious, gifted women in ministry leadership (Racille, Lucille, Melita, Edie, Peggy). My first real assignment in Christian ministry (Student Mission Advance) was led by Nancy Bridgeman, with colleagues, Kathy Scott, Andrea Brandsma. 

And then I met my wife Kathy. A confident, engaged, gifted, thoughtful and committed Christian (a nurse and actively involved with The Navigators). From day 1 we thought of our marriage and ministry involvement as wrapped up together. We have served together in ministry in Egypt, pastoring in Niagara Falls, church planting and community development in South Africa. She is an active contributor to our house church community here in Hamilton. 

So, yeh, I wouldn't want to do it any other way...

Comments

[Dan Sheffield]

Thanks Carmena... fond memories, yes, on our end too. You are one of our favourite people (beside being a strong, competent, gifted woman leader!). Kathy often says, "that would be something Carmena would like, or what would Carmena say about that?" :)

[Carmena Capp]

A resounding "AMEN" to your observations, Dan, and bless you for your grace and kindness in posting. We have so many fond memories.......Carmena