Empowered to Minister

By Jen Manglos

(Note: if you missed the introduction to this series, be sure to read it first.)

I was recently introduced to the story of Jarena Lee, an African American woman who pastored in the early 1800’s.

Let that sink in for a moment.

Lee felt called to pastor, but was told no by her Bishop. Eight years later, in the middle of church, she interrupted the preacher, whom she sensed had “lost the spirit”, and began to preach. Her Bishop affirmed her calling and made her a preacher. Can you imagine this scene unfolding? Some of the congregation falling asleep, while others are confused as the preacher fumbles with the passage, when all of a sudden, Jarena stands up. I wonder how the congregation responds? Are they surprised? Excited? Concerned? Her giftedness to preach is so apparent that Bishop changes his mind on the spot. He is forced to reconcile his beliefs on female pastors in that moment.

I love Lee’s words on the subject of female pastors, which she addressed in her autobiography:

For as unseemly as it may appear now-a-days for a woman to preach, it should be remembered that nothing is impossible with God. And why should it be thought impossible, heterodox, or improper for a woman to preach? seeing the Saviour died for the woman as well as for the man.

Sometimes, the road feels long and arduous when it comes to expanding leadership roles for women in the the church. Pastor Lee’s story reminds us that this the journey started long ago. We join a long tradition of women who seek to honor the invitations God offers them.

I am similarly moved by the stories I’ve recently heard from current and retired female pastors. This past month I put out a call for women to share their experiences of pastoring. What follows are reflections on the responses I received. For those who feel alone in the places God has called them to, may these stories be a comfort to you. You are not alone.

Plans to Pursue Ministry

I didn’t plan to pursue a profession of ministry as a pastor. I thought I would be married to a pastor, and in that sense, live a life of Ministry as a pastor’s wife. 

– Cheryl Jackson

Of the women I interviewed, only two mentioned seeing examples of a female pastor as they were growing up. The word representation comes to mind for me. It’s hard to know what is possible until we see it being modeled. There will be outtiers, such as Pastor Lee, but generally speaking, what we do not see being represented, we will not see as as an option. Of the women I spoke with, only one grew up expecting to be a pastor. As the Rev. Dr. Sharon A. Wozencraft said, “It never occurred to me that I belonged anywhere except behind the pulpit – or that I did not belong there. It was the late 1940s.” The call to ministry was a surprise for the other women I spoke with. Many had pursued other careers before entering into pastoral work.

Called to Pastoral Ministry

I asked God “What are you doing?” and the response, was the loudest thing I’ve ever heard from God in my life. “You’re going to be a priest!” My first response was NO! I don’t like women priests, but I realized this was the loudest thing I’d heard from God and I should pray about it more.  

– Annoymous

Based on my interviews, women tended to recognize a call to pastoral ministry through the recommendation of another person. One such person, Lisa Holmlund, shared:

It was my male colleagues in seminary who kept telling me I was a pastor. That I was called. That I had gifts they didn’t have themselves.

However, some identified a call through prayer, like Jean Watkins:

During this time I questioned my being a nurse and started wanting to help people spiritually more. It came to a head and after talking to a friend. I cried out to God until I had this sweet peace that I was supposed to be in full time ordained ministry.

Additionally, women may exhibit pastoral skills, but often these skills are not initially identified as being pastoral in nature. For many, it was not till after they stepped into a pastoral role that they recognized how much their skills supported their ministry to the church.

So becoming ordained became a matter of obedience, not fulfillment of my desires or expectations. looking backwards, then it becomes clear how the dots of my life connect in a path to this place and being a priest makes perfect sense… I just didn’t see any of that going forward through my life.

– Anonymous

Life as a Female Pastor

I would say that there is a lonely aspect of being a pastor who is a woman, because those outside the church can be skeptical of the church and may avoid you. And within the Christian world, it can be lonely because there are so many who do not believe that women should be pastors still.

– Anonymous

I quickly realized that while there are many shared experiences for female pastors, there are also many varied experiences. I believe this speaks to how views are shifting within the church. However, as you will see, there is still a long way to go.

For many of the women I interviewed, there is an underlying pressure to prove themselves. Often, they are accused of corrupting the church and their presence in a pastoral role has led to some church members leaving. Female pastors can feel insecure about showing emotion and have to be more prepared than male pastors. A couple of women mentioned the “boy’s club” mentality that they often have to navigate within church staffs or denominational meetings. Female pastors recognize that their ministry fills in the gaps that their male counterparts do not typically offer in their ministry. In a sense, they balance out and help to present a more full-picture of God’s love. On the more extreme side, one woman reported harassment from a local pastor, who disapproved of her pastoral role. He encouraged others to express their condemnation, which resulted in threatening letters and phone calls, in-person confrontations, and destruction of the church and her car. While stories like this are decreasing, the fact that this even happened grieves me. It should grieve the church.

My general take away is that pastoring by itself is challenging, but being a female pastor brings along its own unique issues. Some churches and denominations are very supportive of female ordination, while others are still figuring out how to align their practices with their beliefs.

I am now honorably retired from ministry.  Would I have done anything differently? No.  I am an ice-breaker, a pioneer, a mentor and a person called by God.  That is enough.

– Rev. Bonita Clark Quandt

Joy in Pastoring

To close this post, I want the amazing women I interviewed to speak for themselves. I hope you enjoy their passion, wisdom, and depth as much as I have!

Being called and reimbursed to do God’s work – -pinch me! Always I have loved to proclaim God’s love to others.  Being present with those in need – right up my alley. Preparing worship services in ways that bring people closer to Jesus = Wow!! I have always appreciated the elderly, the poor in spirit or in finance. This is a calling that matched what I felt was needed in the world – and I could do something about it! My congregations have been primarily elderly. People that I enjoy

Standing with the bereaved, bringing hope to situations that seem hopeless, speaking God’s word of love and encouragement – how honored I am to do so!!

Yet, I have a playful, youthful side to my personality. So, I found the ability to encourage those elders to permit me to seek out ways to reach to youngsters, with technology and current music and fresh liturgy.

– Rev. Bonita Clark Quandt

It has been delightful to realize that I love pretty much everything about being a priest, a vicar, and now a rector. I love studying, preaching, and teaching without having to grade homework, praying for this congregation each week, sitting with people in midst of difficulty, counseling with the help of the Holy Spirit, helping an organization work better as a team and a body, etc.

– Anonymous

I love helping people find freedom. I didn’t always understand the tools I had to work with, but as I counseled and taught and prayed, I realized I was uniquely equipped to lead men and women to Jesus and to emotional and relational freedom. Nobody likes conflict, but I love conflict resolution and restored relationships. I also love having the time and freedom to study the Word and to develop teaching materials and preaching.  

– Jessica Clark

I loved pastoring people and seeing them grow closer to Jesus, teaching others about Him, even preaching.

– Jean Watkins

You ask what I enjoyed (I am now retired from parish ministry) about pastoral ministry. The only honest answer I can give is “all of it” – or maybe, “almost all of it,” for I confess that I never enjoyed the paperwork and denominational reports. I love preaching – including the hours of preparation. I cherish the Sacraments and feel so honored to celebrate the Eucharist and Holy Baptism. Most of all, I love the people. It is an inexpressible joy and honor to walk with God’s people through the times of their lives.

There are the celebrations: weddings, baptisms, anniversaries, and more. It is a different kind of honor to walk with people through more difficult times: helping couples regain their relationship or determine that it is beyond repair and guiding them to move graciously to the next stage of life; dealing with loss of job, home, marriage, a loved family member; struggling with infertility or abuse or serious illness. It is a bittersweet blessing to walk with one of God’s saints through the last days and hours of this earthly existence and to hold their hand as they enter into eternity. And the joy, blessing, and challenge of helping young people at Confirmation age to struggle with big questions, to find their own faith pathway, and to claim for themselves and affirm for themselves the vows made on their behalf at their Baptism is simply amazing.

– Rev. Dr. Sharon A. Wozencraft

Seriously, almost all of it. I have served the Vineyard Anaheim for over 31 years. As a receptionist, admin, ministry director or pastor, I can honestly say, it has all felt the same… just responding to God’s movement in my life. The ministry is filling and fulfilling (are they the same) and I find joy in it daily AS LONG AS I’M FINDING MY CONFIDENCE IN JESUS!

– Cheryl Jackson

I love doing pastoral things such as preaching, administering the sacraments, pastoral care conversations, encouraging people to grow in their relationship with God, discipleship, bringing the light of Jesus to a broken world.

– Anonymous

I have enjoyed being used by God to do pastoral care and know that it is God speaking through me when I have been with families in crisis or lament. I have been proud of preaching to our congregation and being asked to officiate holy moments of weddings, funerals, and communion. I have loved leading others to faith in Jesus Christ.

– Lisa Holmlund

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Thank you to Jessica Clark, Rev. Bonita Clark Quandt, Lisa Holmlund, Cheryl Jackson, Jean Watkins, Rev. Dr. Sharon A. Wozencraft, and the others who shared their experiences. May the Lord bless your ministry!

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Catch up on all of the Stronger posts:

Stronger Introduction

When We Roar by Amanda Macadam

Finally by Jessica Lacy Driscoll

Model and Empower by Lydia Lockhart

Courage to Be Me by Jen Ip

The Double-Edged Sword of Strength by Sarah Cruz