Women & Church Polity

In a recent survey I did of SBC Women over 90% of the women were not licensed. Of those 46% were full time, 10% part time, and the rest were volunteer. Over 64% of them had formal training for their positions.

The importance of polity within Church (1)

Leadership and Staffing is really important. What you call positions and how you staff those positions matter greatly. With so much of the conversation being around women not in the pastorate, what areas/positions are we allowing women to serve? And once they are on staff (2)

How are we affirming them and trying to reach the same level of compensation as their male counterparts? With them not being licensed alone takes away from the financial benefits of ministry that the state allows.

How are womens voices bettering your culture,problem solving (3)

Even administrative assistants have unique perspectives and insights that would help leadership.

Conversations around what we call positions,how we utilize women who are theologically trained & gifted, and years of faithfully serving the church as volunteers need to happen. (4)

There are so many places to start. Look around at the women you currently have and how you are listening and utilizing their gifts. Reflect on your staff structure. Make a plan for how you can develop and encourage both men and women within your church. Great things are ahead!