The ordination of women in the Africa Evangelical Church of Southern Africa : a practical theological exploration

Abstract

Ordination in the Africa Evangelical Church of Southern Africa has been subject to male exclusivity since autonomy in 1962. This practice was carried over from the founding mission organization, the Cape General Mission. The AEC is part of the larger “evangelical” denominations which for many years have perpetuated the requirement of masculinity for ordination and church leadership. In its 60 years of autonomy, female persons in the AEC have been barred from ordination. The effect of this limitation extends beyond the church walls. It also keeps women from pursuing professional careers such as chaplaincy. Female persons in some local churches in the AEC do the work of pastors but are designated as “church workers”. They are therefore not beneficiaries of all things reserved for ordained pastors. This study investigates the role of gender in the evangelical tradition in general, and the AEC specifically. Responses in the evangelical tradition to this situation include the rise of the evangelical feminist, egalitarian, and complementarian movements. The study investigates, compares, and evaluates these movements and their views regarding women in church leadership. The study provides a critical evaluation of the scholarship of 1 Timothy 2:11-15 because of its centrality within the AEC’s gender-exclusive approach to ordination. The study shows that the phenomenon of gender exclusivity in the church can be linked to a patriarchal interpretation of Scripture. The findings contribute from a practical theological perspective toward the advancement of the inclusion of women and the cause of the ordination of women.