Comments on Carolyn's Reflections: The Blessed Alliance

I recently subscribed to CALLED Magazine, a new ma...

2009-05-11T04:52:00.000-05:00

I recently subscribed to CALLED Magazine, a new magazine for female pastors and women in ministry. The print magazine is very beautiful!! It is full of resources and encouragement. They also provide a weekly email devotional that is very uplifting and helpful. Here is their website: www.calledmagazine.com. I think you'll appreciate it as much as I do.

Gloria, I look forward to meeting you in Charlotte...

2009-02-02T22:52:00.000-05:00

Gloria, I look forward to meeting you in Charlotte and am sorry you can't make it to Synergy.

Frances, I pray God gives you the courage to follow His call! I'm glad the blog is encouraging.

Carolyn,

I enjoyed so much every time when ...

2009-02-02T17:32:00.000-05:00

Carolyn,

I enjoyed so much every time when I read your posts. I am considering serving the Lord full time. After knowing so many debates and fights on women's roles, I became hesitant. It was so good to know what I am not alone, and we can encourage each other!

I am new to your network, Carolyn, and to your wor...

2009-02-02T12:41:00.000-05:00

I am new to your network, Carolyn, and to your work and ministry as a whole. A good friend recently ran into your website, bought a book, and contacted me to say, "This lady seems to be our DNA!" We can't make it to the Synergy conference but several of us are planning to be at the RTS-Charlotte conference in April.

I am presently reading "When Life and Beliefs Collide" with a big grin pasted on my face as I read. My husband says he has never seen me read a book and giggle gleefully at the same time. You are definitely speaking my heart!

I am catching up on your blog and almost leapt for joy as read your post on the ezer. I have a chapter in my own book, published in 2001, saying many of the same things! Looks like we are listening to the same Holy Spirit! I can hardly wait to meet you!

Many blessings to you. Please keep writing!

Kristen and Meredith,

You have both raised...

2009-02-02T07:04:00.000-05:00

Kristen and Meredith,

You have both raised significant reasons why we need to do more work on the nature of the Blessed Alliance and how to make it a reality among believers.

The marginalization of singles in the church runs counter to the clear teachings of Scripture. Single women are vital to the Body and bring vital ministries that every member--male and female--needs for the Body to be healthy.

The squandering of women's gifts is a serious stewardship issue. This not only impacts the health of the Body, but hinders the mission of the church. Our mission dwarfs our resources and makes it even more urgent for all believers to be equipped and mobilized.

Two of the leading single men in the Bible--Jesus and Paul--had strong relationships with the opposite sex and dispalyed a profound regard for the gifts and ministries of women with them and to them. They epitomize the Blessed Alliance. (See my books: When Life and Beliefs Collide and Lost Women of the Bible.

These issues are also reasons why Synergy exists. We want to talk honestly about these important matters apart from "booby-trap conversations." Synergy attendees represent a wide variety of views on women's ordination and women's roles. But the issues you have raised confront all of us, no matter where we stand on this debate.

Carolyn

Wow, Carolyn, I got whiplash just reading about th...

2009-02-01T05:51:00.000-05:00

Wow, Carolyn, I got whiplash just reading about that conversation. As a Westminster seminary graduate (M.Div, not the 'pink' one) I have become way too tired of those booby-trap conversations and stepped out of ministry altogether a few years ago. Your thoughts on this are refreshing and insightful, as usual. Sure wish I could come to the Synergy conference this year -- may He heap blessings upon you!

This is such a great article! I think that it make...

2009-02-01T00:58:00.000-05:00

This is such a great article! I think that it makes a great point about not focusing on (and getting sidetracked by) the issues of a woman's "place" in the Church, and instead using that energy to do what God has called all of us to do. I think that it is great to encourage unity between men and women, instead of indulging in the distraction of debating whether or not so-and-so is to be ordained or not.

You've also touched on marriage; I would be very interested to read your thoughts about women in leadership who are single, and may find themselves facing a life of singleness. What advice would you offer these women? What are your thoughts about this subject?