By LoriJo Schepers
…is infinitely more important than what divides us.
Does a lost and dying world really need to see yet another way we in the Church disagree?
Why do we feel we need to amplify our perceived superiority? Is it not more beneficial to advancing His Kingdom if we amplify HIM? If we amplify ways we are one in Him?
Female pastor here. In ministry since 1984. Diploma from Rhema Bible College. Licensed and ordained into two full gospel fellowships in 1994 and 1995, ordained in the Wesleyan Church in 2012. Teaching, preaching, leading, mentoring, advising, marrying and burying and all the ‘stuff’ ministry leadership is made of. My personal belief, conviction, and application of Scripture as it relates to women in ministry is clear and firm.
Gave my life to Jesus at a roller-skating party hosted by a Baptist church in 1974. Grateful for the friend who belonged to a denomination that always pointed people to Jesus.
When I visit a Baptist church, I know not to ask to teach. And I am so very okay with that.
While I am saddened at the decision of some to limit where God sends His Holy Spirit to anoint, I am more grieved at the speed at which others in the Body of Christ have chosen to openly condemn a group of people who consistently preach Christ crucified, risen, reigning and returning.
If it is not a salvation issue – impacting someone’s eternal destination – can we not simply acknowledge we interpret it differently, and walk on?
If you want women to be silent in the place you call a church home, you know where to attend.
If you want women to have the freedom to speak, teach and lead, you also know where to attend.
What unites us is eternally more important that what divides us.
WHO unites us prayed to His, and our, Father “that they may be ONE”. When we are in one accord, the world can be changed.
When we quibble and quarrel over preferences and opinions, not only will the world disregard us, the Holy Spirit is restricted in moving through us. May we lay our carnal weapons down, and together pick up the ones that are mighty for the true pulling down of strongholds.
Together. As one in Him.
I am eternally grateful for the core values of the Baptist Church. They changed my life for eternity.
I am also grateful for other denominational opportunities to use the fulness of God’s giftings imparted to me, in the hopes of impacting others.
—————
LoriJo Schepers is founder and executive director of Barnabas Ministries, an organization that ministers to at-risk teenagers and families in Ottawa and Allegan counties. Visit their website at barnabasmin.org.
…is infinitely more important than what divides us.
Does a lost and dying world really need to see yet another way we in the Church disagree?
Why do we feel we need to amplify our perceived superiority? Is it not more beneficial to advancing His Kingdom if we amplify HIM? If we amplify ways we are one in Him?
Female pastor here. In ministry since 1984. Diploma from Rhema Bible College. Licensed and ordained into two full gospel fellowships in 1994 and 1995, ordained in the Wesleyan Church in 2012. Teaching, preaching, leading, mentoring, advising, marrying and burying and all the ‘stuff’ ministry leadership is made of. My personal belief, conviction, and application of Scripture as it relates to women in ministry is clear and firm.
Gave my life to Jesus at a roller-skating party hosted by a Baptist church in 1974. Grateful for the friend who belonged to a denomination that always pointed people to Jesus.
When I visit a Baptist church, I know not to ask to teach. And I am so very okay with that.
While I am saddened at the decision of some to limit where God sends His Holy Spirit to anoint, I am more grieved at the speed at which others in the Body of Christ have chosen to openly condemn a group of people who consistently preach Christ crucified, risen, reigning and returning.
If it is not a salvation issue – impacting someone’s eternal destination – can we not simply acknowledge we interpret it differently, and walk on?
If you want women to be silent in the place you call a church home, you know where to attend.
If you want women to have the freedom to speak, teach and lead, you also know where to attend.
What unites us is eternally more important that what divides us.
WHO unites us prayed to His, and our, Father “that they may be ONE”. When we are in one accord, the world can be changed.
When we quibble and quarrel over preferences and opinions, not only will the world disregard us, the Holy Spirit is restricted in moving through us. May we lay our carnal weapons down, and together pick up the ones that are mighty for the true pulling down of strongholds.
Together. As one in Him.
I am eternally grateful for the core values of the Baptist Church. They changed my life for eternity.
I am also grateful for other denominational opportunities to use the fulness of God’s giftings imparted to me, in the hopes of impacting others.
—————
LoriJo Schepers is founder and executive director of Barnabas Ministries, an organization that ministers to at-risk teenagers and families in Ottawa and Allegan counties. Visit their website at barnabasmin.org.
