So I'd like to tell you three stories.

First, a woman with formal theological training.

She couldn't imagine doing anything but serving in a church and had always had a particular

hunger for understanding and teaching God's word.

She taught in a number of women's Bible studies and small groups in the church of a upbringing.

She then pursued an undergraduate degree in Biblical studies and later a master's in theology.

Returning to the denomination of her youth, she was then hired for a part-time position,

primarily administrative.

She was allowed to formally teach a women's small group class on Sunday mornings.

Over time, she assisted in the teaching of the youth ministry as well, but always in a small

group structure never formally from the stage.

The one time that she was invited to share a reflection on Mary during the Christmas Eve

service, the lead pastor and her husband jointly stood on stage with her as she taught to lend

a proper authority to her five-minute Biblical reflection and a room that was comprised

of both men and women.

She eventually became a full-time mom to three incredible children.

She never served in a church sanctioned pastoral role, nor did she ever hurt a woman formally

preach in a worship gathering prior to coming to Bridgetown.

Second story.

A couple retired pastors, a husband and a wife, who led a church for 40 years.

They went through the disorientation of moving from leading a church to participating in

a church.

...