Ch arcoal dra wing by Robert James Findlay A foc us on women in Baptist ministry Baptists Together Deposit Accounts Baptist member churches with savings and reserves are encouraged to lodge New rates for 2019 these in a Baptists Together Deposit account. 1.35% interest on 1 year fixed rate deposit These accounts, provided by the Baptist Union Corporation Limited, offer a competitive rate of interest 1.1% interest to depositors. They also provide funds which are used to on 3 month notice account make loans to finance the purchase of new church sites 0.85% interest and manses and fund the construction of new churches, on 7 day notice account as well as redevelopment and improvement projects. Such projects help churches to develop their mission in (all rates subject to regular review) their community and it is a fantastic way for churches with Minimum deposit £1,000 surplus funds to support mission across the Baptist family. for all accounts For more information visit www.baptist.org.uk/depositaccounts Baptist Deposit Account advert-A4_Nov2018.indd 1 27/11/2018 10:23 CONTENTS FEATURES 6 Introducing Violet Hedger 9 Molly Boot shares the story of the first Baptist woman to be college trained and ordained When is a minister not a 10 minister? Julie Aylward explores the ministry of the Deaconess Order A short history of Baptist women in ministry Ruth Gouldbourne outlines some of the key developments in the story of Baptist Women in ministry women in leadership 18 Beth Allison-Glenny questions the complementarian theories Reflecting on women in ministry today 14 16 My story 20 Personal stories from a variety of women in ministry 20 Lynn Green 21 Pat Took 21 Jenny Few 22 Gale Richards Marking the centenary 23 Gemma Dunning Siân Murray Williams reflects on the Mary Taylor reports on the Celebrating, growing number of women in ministry Surviving and Thriving conference 24 Emma Nash 25 Catriona Gorton An International Focus 25 Siaa-Liane Mathurin European Baptist Federation REGULARS 27 Lisa Holmes 36 Reflections from Jenni Entrican Resources 28 Barbara Carpenter 40 A selection of different resources Jamaica Baptist Union related to women in ministry 29 Abby Lintern 37 Interview with Karen Kirlew 30 Cham Kaur-Mann Baptist World Alliance Prayer and Worship Ideas Claire Nicholls 42 30 38 Trisha Miller Manarin From the Clare McBeath, 31 Leoné Martin Co-Principal of Northern Baptist Inspiring Leadership Programme College 32 Molly Boot 39 Dion Marie White and Lois 32 Beatrice Anayo Delong share their experiences 46 Events 33 Susan Stevenson Special events for your church 45 Exploring a call 34 Linda Donaldson What to do if you are sensing a 34 Sarah Crane call to ministry Violet Hedger (1900 - 1992) In 1919 Violet Hedger arrived at Violet was both a remarkable minister Regent’s Park College to become the and a trailblazer who, as you’ll read first Baptist woman to be college in many of the testimonies in these trained for ordination. To mark pages, continues to inspire today’s this key anniversary, the college generation of ministers. It seems only commissioned a new portrait of Violet fitting that in an edition celebrating which they will unveil later in 2019. Baptist women in ministry, hers is the first face you see. The portrait also graces the cover of this edition of Baptists Together Turn to p9 to discover more about magazine. Violet. 3 THE 95% of children & young people don’t go to church! Does that statistic concern you? Would you like to do more to introduce these young people to Jesus but you haven’t got the time, ideas or resources? Join The 95 Campaign for exclusive access to free resources, research fi ndings, and much-needed support. sign up for free at the95.org.uk and start benefitting today YOUR CHURCH Cheaper Gas & Electricity OUR PRIORITY for your Church We provide energy procurement solutions for over 6,000 churches and places of worship in the UK, regardless of denomination or religious belief. Join a growing number of churches who are already reaping the benefits of just one phone call to our team of experts. T: 0800 011 2834 CEPG is a part of F: 0800 011 2836 E: [email protected] www.cepg.co.uk Quote Ref: BAPTIST-TOGETHER18 Office Suites | Novus Business Centre | Judson Road | Peterlee | County Durham | SR8 2QJ 4 Celebrating, surviving, thriving Why are we here? As I have got older I have realised a suspicion of anything that seems welcomed and encouraged across just how important it is to push the to be a mere reaction to the fickle Baptists Together. boat out, so to speak, and really whims of contemporary society. Years celebrate the wonderful milestones of diligent and prayerful searching of I am also aware that in celebrating 100 of life! Whether it is significant Scripture have been part of our years of ordained women’s ministry, we birthdays, weddings, wedding journey. In time, what was might be tempted to feel that we have anniversaries or other special being discerned by local arrived. As Siân Murray-Williams points events, taking the time churches was reflected out, there is progress still to be made. to savour the goodness upon by Baptist Union Further afield, as General Secretary I and the blessing adds Council in 1965-67 and have the privilege of representing you to the preciousness of more recently in 2010 amongst European and global Baptists these times. For similar and, together, we were and, as I have begun to listen to the reasons we are taking the able to offer to each other stories of sisters from around the world, opportunity to really make a thoroughly biblical basis I have become acutely aware of the a big thing of celebrating for the ordination of women. challenges many of them face. I pray 100 years of ordained women’s As more and more women found that our journey and celebrations might ministry across Baptists Together! the space and affirmation to explore a be a sign of hope for many others, Though there are several dates we sense of call to ministry, our churches giving them courage to remain true to could have chosen, the year in which have begun to experience its blessing God’s call on their lives. the first woman, Violet Hedger, began and also to grasp a Kingdom vision In celebrating we also want to look training for ministry at Regent’s Park of the wholeness of both women and forward to the future, praying that College has become our celebratory men exercising their gifts as part of God will raise up a new generation anchor point. a reflection of the nature of God. For of women leaders. As you read this these reasons, I am glad to say that the edition, please can you be praying and Looking back over the last hundred role of women serving our churches years it seems that the affirmation of thinking about inspiring young women through leading has been gaining to hear and respond to God’s call? women’s ordination has been a slow momentum over the last 20 years or so. and painful unfolding. The fact that the A simple step would be to pass on this basis of our Union is clearly understood Therefore, we celebrate the gift of magazine to one of them so that more to be that the discernment of Christ’s women’s ministry and honour the young women might be inspired to be will through Scripture lies firmly with journey that has been made thus far. part of writing our history for the next the local church maybe helps us to We celebrate so that we can continue 100 years. see why this has been the case. Our to inspire women to respond to God’s deeply held conviction that we want call and we continue to say loudly and to be faithful to the Jesus revealed to clearly that women’s ministry, as well Lynn Green us through the Bible leans us towards as the ministry of men, is valued and General Secretary of our Baptist Union EDITORIAL GROUP: PRODUCTION TEAM: Baptists Together Stephen Keyworth Paul Hobson is produced three times per year by: Beth Allison-Glenny Mike Lowe The Baptist Union of Great Britain Micky Munroe Mary Parker Baptist House, PO Box 44, 129 Broadway, Colin Pye Tracey Vallance Didcot, OX11 8RT Tel: 01235 517700 Jonathan Somerville Email: [email protected] Website: www.baptist.org.uk Registered Charity Number: 1125912 Contact [email protected] for a plain text version of any articles. Further copies LETTERS: For additional copies and subscriptions, see We welcome your views and ideas for future editions of Baptists Together. www.baptist.org.uk/shop Write to the Editorial Group at: [email protected] For an electronic copy, see or using the Baptist House address www.baptist.org.uk/baptiststogether To advertise in future editions The views of individual writers expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect Please contact Tracey on 01235 517711 or the views of the Editorial Group or Baptists Together. email [email protected] Printed and distributed by Verité CM Ltd Photo credits: Unless otherwise stated, photos are taken from Baptist Union archives www.veritecm.com Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .ai www.facebook.com/baptistuniongb uk.pinterest.com/baptistunionGB @baptistuniongb Baptists Together is printed on paper which is fully FSC Certified 5 A SHORT HISTORY A SHORT The Revd Violet Hedger’s ordination A short history of Baptist women in ministry Women have long exercised leadership in Baptist churches, writes Ruth Gouldbourne.