In each of the gospels it was the women Jesus entrusted to first preach the good news of his resurrection. The longest recorded theological discussion in the gospels was not with Jesus and his disciples, but with an unnamed Samaritan woman who became an evangelist, taking the good news to all whom she encountered. Throughout scripture women, some named and many more unnamed, played a pivotal role in God’s reconciling work in the world in spite of the patriarchal systems that often necessitated creativity and persistence.

I was an adult before I saw a female pastor and preacher. It changed how I understood God and how the Holy Spirit works in and through humanity in the gifts we are given. It changed how I saw myself as a beloved child of God, loved and called “very good” by the Creator at creation, but just not good enough to receive the gifts for some roles in the church. Today, because of the women throughout time who have said “yes” to God in a multitude of ways, and because of the women who opened my eyes to the possibility of saying “yes” to God’s call to pastoral ministry, I am able to embrace my own call which is affirmed by the church.

Below is a picture of the clergywomen of the Horizon Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church celebrating 70 years of full clergy rights. I am mindful that there are women today who are told that the stirring of the Holy Spirit they feel for pastoral ministry isn’t really God’s call. I pray for the day when the entirety of the body of Christ will listen to, trust, and affirm women when they articulate their call. I believe God’s world will be better for it.