Issues: Early restrictions 0n credentials for wome

[Julie Zeck]

In the early days of the Assemblies of God, women could not be ordained as pastors. They were not permitted to vote at the General Council meetings until 1920. They could be ordained as evangelists and minnionaries, but could not fulfill the functions of ministry. Hattie Hacker and Jennie Kirkland, former missionaries to India, brought this issue to the Executive Presbytery. Afterward, if a man was not available to perform these functions, woman missionaries were given the privilege of baptizing, performing marriages, serving the Lord's Supper and performing funerals.
Generally, woman did notserve in any decision-making positions. Susan C. Easton, a long-term missionalry to India, was the first woman appointed to serve on the Foreign Missions Committee. She served for one year.
It strikes me as a somber note that women in the church were being treated the same as women in society during that time. Women in society were not allowed to vote nor were their ideas and functions given much support. How difficult it must have been then for women to have a call from God and not be allowed to function in the capacity He called them to. Rather than finding comfort and encouragement within the church body it appears their ministires were thought of as "second-class" Is it any wonder that some women became so aggressive in attaining rights that men had enjoyed from the beginning? I believe that it is still very important for women today to be sure of their calling because it will be questioned somewhere along the way.

[Ron Alexander]

It is disturbing to realize that racism and sexism were no different in the eyes of the church vs. society at the time. I learned that William Seymour (black student) had to sit in the hallway of the bible school in order to learn, yet went on to lead the revival in California.

They (democrats) are starting to critize Palin now. Their big hangup is that she would not have enough time to take care of five children, one special needs, and still be VP. You would think that in 2008 we would be past that mentality!!

[Julie Zeck]

I know.........do they think she is the only parent. How does she manage being governor? This election is sure causing people to think about the way they have been thinking!

[Julie Zeck]

Where is everyone!!!!

[dave]

hi julie it is sad that women were treated that way and whats really sad is that some are still i so thankful that God gave us women and i feel they are people too and are as blessed as men are i know of some pretty good women who love the lord and have tons of wisdom and i am so blessed by them i think they have and should have as many as right as men i was once told behide every good men stands a great women

[Jeremy]

What's really interesting is that the A/G has the reputation for being progressive when it comes to Women's Rights...but we were still way behind where we needed to be. I would love to know what inequities you still see in the A/G in general, in Kansas more specifically, and at College Drive.