6.7.25

Brief Overview of Female Leadership in the Church - Draft

The stance on female pastoral leadership varies widely depending on denomination, theological interpretation, and cultural context. Here’s a balanced overview of the major points:

 Arguments for Embracing Female Pastors

Biblical Examples of Female Leaders:
  • Deborah (Judges 4–5): A prophetess and judge over Israel.
  • Phoebe (Romans 16:1): Referred to as a deacon.
  • Priscilla (Acts 18): Taught Apollos alongside her husband Aquila.
  • Junia (Romans 16:7): Called “outstanding among the apostles.”

Key Biblical Verses and Traditions 

Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus

Church Tradition: Historically, most church leaders have been male. Some see a longstanding tradition as a guide for maintaining male-only pastors. 


Denominational Differences

Supportive of Female Pastors:
  • United Methodist Church
  • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
  • Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • Assemblies of God
  • The Anglican Church (in many regions

Opposed to Female Pastors:

  • Roman Catholic Church
  • Southern Baptist Convention
  • Orthodox Churches
  • Many Reformed or conservative evangelical churches

Final Thought

Whether a church embraces or rejects female pastors ultimately comes down to how they interpret Scripture, their theological convictions, and the authority they place on tradition versus contemporary insight. For many, it’s not simply a cultural issue but a matter of faithfulness to what they believe God has revealed. Many changes will continue to take place over the coming centuries. So keep an open, loving mind.



1.7.25

Instilling Respect, Good Manners and Decency in the 21st Century

Teaching good manners and decency in the 21st century involves more than just etiquette at the dinner table—it’s about instilling respect, empathy, accountability, and social awareness in a rapidly evolving, digital world. See Wikipedia on Etiquette and Good Manners


Why Core Values and Principles to Teach Manners and Decency Still Matters

Despite social and technological changes, basic decency remains a cornerstone of civil society. For example, ‘Good Manners’:

  • Promotes respectful interactions
  • Helps build trust and cooperation
  • Reduces conflict and misunderstandings
  • Prepares people for professional and personal success
  • Strengthens community cooperation and empathy


📚 Core Values and Principles to Teach

1. Respect for Others

  • Respect people regardless of gender, race, religion, or status.
  • Use polite language: “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me.”
  • Respect other people’s time, space, and boundaries.

2. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

  • Teach both children and adults to see from each others’ perspectives.
  • Encourage active listening: not interrupting, asking clarifying questions.
  • Normalize discussing emotions and validating feelings.

3. Digital Decency (Netiquette)

  • Be kind and respectful online—no trolling, flaming, or cyberbullying.
  • Avoid oversharing or violating privacy.
  • Cite sources and give credit.
  • Pause before posting: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?

4. Gratitude and Humility

  • Teach the habit of acknowledging kindness.
  • Encourage writing thank-you notes and showing appreciation publicly and privately.
  • Promote a mindset of service: “How can I help?”

5. Accountability and Integrity

  • Admit mistakes and take responsibility.
  • Apologize sincerely, and make amends.
  • Practice fairness and honesty, especially when no one is watching.


🏫 How to Teach Manners and Decency Today

1. At Home

  • Model behavior: Children learn more from what you do than what you say.
  • Set clear expectations for behavior and reinforce consistently.
  • Use stories, family discussions, and shared meals to talk about values.

2. In Schools

  • Integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) into curricula.
  • Reward kindness and respect—not just academic achievement.
  • Use peer mediation and conflict resolution programs.

3. In Society & Culture

  • Promote civility in media, politics, and entertainment.
  • Encourage public figures to lead by example.
  • Celebrate and spotlight acts of decency in the community.


💻 Online and in Digital Spaces

  • Create safe, moderated online environments.
  • Teach children and adults to distinguish between opinion and attacks
  • Promote digital literacy and the idea of a “digital footprint.”


🔄 Adapting Manners for the Modern Era

Traditional Manners
     Modern Equivalent

Not interrupting conversations
          
Not texting while someone is talking

Sending thank-you cards

Sending thoughtful messages or video
Being punctual

Responding to messages in reasonable time
Table manners

Video call etiquette - muting, background noise
Holding doors open

Giving others space in public or online


Manners and decency aren’t a one-time lesson—they’re a lifelong journey. The 21st century presents challenges like digital anonymity, polarized discourse, and rapid cultural change, but the fundamental human need for respect and kindness never changes.