In Good Company: Women in the MinistryLesley Orr Macdonald A unique collection of personal stories by women from many denominations about the struggle for equality by women in the ministry and those still excluded from it. They tell of stereotyping, assumptions, tokenism, discrimination, trivialisation; abuse, isolation and the 'stained glass celling' created by the church's obsession with power, rank and position. This book makes clear the kinds of obstacles in the way of women and gives a glimpse of the faulty theology that underlies opposition to them. It highlights the challenge that women bring to existing church structures and offers hope for a truly all-inclusive, all-affirming and empowering ministry. |
Contents
Introduction | 9 |
Pilgrimage to priesthood and beyond | 25 |
And set my feet upon a Rock | 67 |
Voices in my head | 81 |
Whose I am and whom I serve | 101 |
This old bag our Mother Church | 116 |
There are no women in abstract | 122 |
Paths are made by those who walk in them | 135 |
Snapshots on a journey | 143 |
Common terms and phrases
accepted altar servers Anglican Anglican Communion asked Assembly Baptist believe Bishop candles centre challenge Christ Christian Church of England Church of Ireland Church of Scotland clergy Communion conference congregation Council of Churches deacon debate denominations diocese ecumenical Edinburgh encouraged experience faith feel felt friends George MacLeod God's Holy hope husband Iona Abbey Iona Community issues Jesus journey learned Leith listen live looked male Margaret Forrester Mary Levison meeting missionary mother moved never ordained ministry ordained women ordination of women parish pastoral Portadown pray prayer preach Presbyterian priesthood realise recognise Revd Roman Catholic Sacrament Scottish Episcopal Church shared singing sisters Snapshot story struggle Sunday Synod theology thread told took tradition United Free Church vocation wanted woman women ministers women priests women's ordination wonderful worship young