fem-div

There are some very exciting developments regarding women MDiv’ers at Mars Hill Graduate School. As many have heard and read, the school recently redeveloped its entire MDiv program and is arguably one of the most innovative, integrative, culturally engaged, relational and hermeneutically sophisticated programs in the country (maybe the world), and of course there is always room for improvement.

One of the very practical areas for growth being championed involves advocacy of women pursuing MDiv education. Some of our students have formed a task force surrounding this initiative and are passionately and creatively exploring ways MHGS can encourage, fund, and find post-graduation placement for female clergy.

Within much of the Protestant Mainline church world women clergy are ordained – although a “glass ceiling” still seems to exist – while in much of the Evangelical, Roman and Eastern church traditions there is little or no place for women in formal leadership.

I find it thrilling to see so many male and female students yearning for a way to live into the fullness of the imago Dei together . . . yearning for ways to celebrate and honor the unique voice of the “other.”

It will be interesting to see how these kinds of initiatives will be received by the evangelical church world. I believe that Mars Hill Graduate School uniquely serves as a something of a bridge seminary – we are both and neither “conservative” and “liberal” – we are both and neither “evangelical” and “ecumenical.” And it often feels that because the school encourages conversation, those fearful that dialogue will “dilute” assign us a label for the sake of dismissal.

Just a reminder that this is a personal site so the thoughts and opinions represent where I’m at in my journey at the time of writing – no formal MHGS positions posted here.

peace, dwight