At the recent European Pastors' Council (EPC) held in Belgrade, Serbia, 27-31 August, a significant event where pastors from across Europe gathered to discuss and learn about various aspects of ministry, attendees were blessed to receive an event bag with various publications and promotional materials. Amongst these was a book captioned 'How Jesus Treated Women – Value, Voice and Visibility' (a Bible Study and colouring book) scripted by ten female authors who are Women's Ministries Directors across the Trans-European Division (TED).
To launch this publication, the authors were invited to the platform during the evening service on Wednesday, 28 August, to receive five complimentary copies of the book in a gift bag. TED Women's Ministries Director Karen Holford offered a special prayer of dedication as she prayed for the publication's impact.
The title
The intriguing title for this publication was derived from two individuals with a particular interest in Jesus' ministry to women. Firstly, Clair Sanches, the previous TED Women's Ministries Director (2010-2021) and initiator of this book project, chose the title 'How Jesus Treated Women' to affirm women and mark the 25th anniversary of our global Women's Ministries in 2020.
The subtitle, 'Value, Voice and Visibility', was borrowed from Dr Jude Jeanville's PhD dissertation, which he wrote in 2015 on gender inclusiveness in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The dissertation focused on how Jesus gave women value, voice, and visibility.
Speaking of the book title, in her introduction, Clair Sanches wrote:
"Jesus' treatment of women was very unconventional in His time, and it is a lesson to all of us…we produced this Bible Study series on 'How Jesus Treated Women' because Jesus was a radical and transformational figure throughout His ministry. By studying these stories, we learn that Jesus did not come to be served by women, but to serve women."
Explaining further, she states:
"This book has been designed as a resource for women as they study the Bible, learn how Jesus treated women, and enjoy time to relax and colour. It can also be used as an outreach tool to introduce Jesus to women in your community, making it a valuable resource for Women's Ministries and individual women seeking to deepen their understanding of Jesus' treatment of women."
The issue
So, how do we measure up regarding the way we treat women at all levels in our church and communities?
Let me first take this opportunity to applaud those who have affirmed all our women, supported them, acknowledged their value, respected their voice, celebrated their visibility, welcomed them into every aspect of church ministry, encouraged their career aspirations, and enriched their home and community life. Your reflection of Jesus' attitude to women has been life-enhancing. Thank you.
Yet, there are still harmful ideologies, negative behaviours and unjust practices that have deeply wounded women in ministry. Consequently, some have left their positions (and ministry) in order to preserve their well-being and heal from the trauma. This is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.
The response
This recent publication, 'How Jesus Treated Women - Value, Voice and Visibility', is a refreshing reminder to truly reflect Christ in our interactions with women. It is also an opportunity to examine harmful belief systems that arise from a misinterpretation of scripture on women's equality.
In every Bible story where Jesus encountered women, He addressed the prevailing prejudices of the day. He openly demonstrated His affirmation of women created in God's image and of equal value to men, which was a rebuke to the harsh patriarchal practices that were prevalent.
It's time for us to pause and reflect on why women have left church ministry and appointed positions. We need to take time to listen to them, care enough to address the issues that have harmed them, apologise for the hurt, and seek to safeguard others so these detrimental experiences are not repeated. This is not just a call for reflection, but a call to action.
Our UK government is taking steps to address misogyny and now treating it as a form of extremism, which was captioned in a recent BBC News headline. The sub caption stated: 'Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to crack down on people "pushing harmful and hateful beliefs"'.
Our Seventh-day Adventist Church should never be accused of misogyny by holding 'harmful beliefs' when we have a scriptural premise for equality of male and female.
At creation, both male and female were made in the image of God– (Genesis 1:27). That makes us 'equal' in His eyes.
Does God differentiate between gender importance and hierarchy? The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 3:28, provides a fitting response:
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
The impact
If we pause to look at how Jesus treated women with dignity, respect, love, care, and compassion, we would note that His actions elevated women above their lowly status in biblical times and repositioned them as equals.
Our General Conference Fundamental Belief #14 (Unity in the Body of Christ), https://www.adventist.org/beliefs/, and the One Humanity statement*1 speak assertively and unequivocally on the equal status of men and women.
When we practice what we preach and fully observe our own denominational statements, our churches will thrive. We will be able to retain our females in leadership, ministry, and at all levels of church life as we affirm their value, voice, and visibility by treating them as Jesus did.