MNO Synod Bishop's Message

Reflections from Sweden

Day 3

In June of 2005, the Women Bishops and Presidents affirmed that they would like regular meetings held for the purpose of support, networking and educational awareness. The group message to the LWF Council also affirmed a request to have the LWF Secretariat hold to the policy of 40% representation of women in all areas of ministry in the LWF. The message also requested that women bishops and presidents be recognized in Full Communion relationships. While the message was to be sent to the LWF Council it never received full status nor was given a communication link to member churches. It was essentially written but not communicated to the wider church.

The Women bishops and presidents learned from this experience. They investigated the political process of the LWF council and at the 2007 meeting worked towards communicating a message that would reach individual council members who then would bring recommendations to the council on behalf of the Women’s Consultation. It takes time and patience to work in this kind of process. But the women were persistent and they had allies on the council.

While this was a frustrating experience for those of us in the northern hemisphere who have access to a communication and political system that supports women and women’s issues, those in the south found it quite amazing to actually find support. This caused me to reflect on the gains of women in the northern hemisphere compared to my sisters in the south. In fact, I was quite surprised that almost 40 countries of the LWF still do not ordain women as pastors.

There are churches where women outnumber men in theological studies programs, knowing full well they may not be ordained once they have completed their studies. There are churches where women participate in the life of the church, except in the presidency at the Eucharist.

Some of the Women Bishops and Presidents outside the offices of the Diocese of Lund

I asked several of the women in the southern hemisphere (South America and Africa) what motivates the women in these areas of the world to continue to serve in the church? What motivates them to try harder and be more persistent in their goal of leadership in the church? One said she was motivated by attending events such as the Women’s Consultation. Another said it was seeing those of us in the north. We were an inspiration to them. Our accomplishments as leaders gave them hope.

In fact, as much as I am uncomfortable wearing my clerics, they are inspired by this visible reminder of women’s leadership in the church. Their reflections reminded me that while we in Canada are miles ahead of women’s leadership in other areas of the world, we are to continue to work for the good of others so that others will be given hope.

Through the consultation, God is working hope for us all- hope for a different world, hope for healing, hope for a renewed transformation of the gospel. Thanks be to God who challenges us to be for others.