The Assimilation of Female Credentialed Ministers Into the Northwest and Northern California/Nevada Assemblies of God Ecclesiastical Profession
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ASSEMBLIES OF GOD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY FROM PHILOSOPHY TO PRAXIS: THE ASSIMILATION OF FEMALE CREDENTIALED MINISTERS INTO THE NORTHWEST AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA/NEVADA ASSEMBLIES OF GOD ECCLESIASTICAL PROFESSION A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DOCTOR OF MINISTRY PROJECT COMMITTEE IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY DOCTOR OF MINISTRY DEPARTMENT BY RALYNN G. WILLIS EVERETT, WASHINGTON MAY 2009 Copyright © 2009 by Ralynn G. Willis All rights reserved CONTENTS ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................ x ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................... xi Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1 The Context of the Project ......................................................................... 2 The Problem ............................................................................................... 4 The Purpose ............................................................................................... 7 Definition of Terms.................................................................................... 8 Description of Proposed Project ................................................................ 9 Scope of the Project ............................................................................. 10 Phases of the Project ............................................................................ 12 2. BIBLICAL-THEOLOGICAL LITERATURE REVIEW ................................. 18 Introduction ................................................................................................ 18 Investigating the Call of God ..................................................................... 20 Old Testament Use ............................................................................... 20 New Testament Use ............................................................................. 22 Theological Foundations for Women in Ministry ..................................... 26 Views on a Woman’s Call into Ministry ............................................. 27 Problematic Passages for Women in Ministry ..................................... 29 iv v 1 Timothy 2:11-15 ......................................................................... 29 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 .................................................................... 32 1 Corinthians 14:33-37 .................................................................. 35 Biblical Champions of Assimilation ......................................................... 38 Jesus and the Assimilation of Female Leaders .................................... 39 Words ............................................................................................. 40 Actions ........................................................................................... 42 Relationships .................................................................................. 43 The Apostle Paul and the Assimilation of Female Leaders ................. 46 Women and Culture in the First Century ....................................... 46 Words ............................................................................................. 48 Actions ........................................................................................... 49 Relationships .................................................................................. 51 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 55 3. GENERAL LITERATURE REVIEW .............................................................. 58 Introduction ................................................................................................ 58 Social and Psychological Development of Female Leaders ..................... 60 Male and Female Perspectives on Power............................................. 63 Authority and Subordination ................................................................ 67 Interpersonal Dynamics of Female Leaders .............................................. 70 Personal Relationships ......................................................................... 70 Group Dynamics .................................................................................. 72 Communication .................................................................................... 74 vi Conflict ................................................................................................ 78 Service and Performance ..................................................................... 79 Unique Career Patterns of Female Leaders ............................................... 81 Career Advancement ............................................................................ 82 Leadership Passivity ............................................................................ 85 Advantageous Female Leadership Values ........................................... 87 Advancing in Leadership for Growth and Improvement ..................... 90 Female Church Leaders and the Pentecostal Movement ........................... 92 The Assemblies of God and Female Ministers .......................................... 94 Historic Struggle ................................................................................. 94 AG Women Ministers Today ............................................................... 97 Contemplating the Future .................................................................... 97 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 98 4. DESCRIPTION OF FIELD PROJECT ........................................................... 101 Preparation of the Project........................................................................... 101 Selection of Assemblies of God Districts ............................................ 102 Demographic Information Determined ................................................ 102 “Women in Ministry” Survey Content ................................................ 102 Execution of the Project ............................................................................. 104 Distribution and Collection of Survey ................................................. 104 Survey Respondents’ Demographics ................................................... 105 Results of the Project ................................................................................. 107 The Project’s Contribution to Ministry ...................................................... 116 vii 5. PROJECT SUMMARY ................................................................................... 120 Evaluation of the Project ............................................................................ 120 Keys to Project Effectiveness .............................................................. 120 Keys to Project Improvement .............................................................. 123 Implications of the Project ......................................................................... 126 Recommendations to AG Ecclesiastical Structure .................................... 128 Recommendations for Future Study .......................................................... 135 Conclusion ................................................................................................. 139 Appendices A. OPPOSING VIEWS: LIMITED PARTICIPATION OR FULL PARTICIPATION FOR WOMEN IN MINISTRY? ........................... 142 B. FEMALES CALLED BY GOD IN SCRIPTURE .................................... 148 C. FEMALE LEADERS AND STRESS ........................................................ 154 D. DOMINANCE AND COMMUNION ....................................................... 155 E. PERSONALITY TYPE AND RELIGIOUS LEADERSHIP .................... 162 F. EFFECTS OF FEMINISM ON CHRISTIAN FEMALE LEADERS ....... 163 G. FEMALE CHURCH LEADERS FROM THE SECOND THROUGH NINETEENTH CENTURIES ............................................................. 173 H. SURVEY: WOMEN IN MINISTRY ........................................................ 177 I. SURVEY GLOSSARY ............................................................................. 182 J. OVERVIEW OF SURVEY RESULTS ..................................................... 185 K. DESCRIPTION OF POPULATION ......................................................... 188 L. EDUCATION LEVEL............................................................................... 190 M. CREDENTIALS ........................................................................................ 191 viii N. MARRIED TO ANOTHER MINISTER ................................................... 192 O. PAID POSITION WITHIN THE CHURCH ............................................. 193 P. POSITION ................................................................................................. 195 Q. STAFF MEMBERS MANAGED.............................................................. 197 R. TIMES SPEAKING YEARLY.................................................................. 198 S. GENERAL CHURCH LEADERSHIP ATTITUDES ............................... 199 T. UNIQUE LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS ..................................... 200 U. STAFF RELATIONSHIPS ........................................................................ 201 V. SECULAR CULTURE .............................................................................. 202 W. MALE-ONLY