Below is a story shared recently by Molly Marshall, president of Central Seminary.

At the church where I served as pastor in the early 80’s, the little girls would not let the little boys be the “preacher” when they played “church” during worship.  One day the children’s worker, Ida B., made the clear announcement to the children: “Now GIRLS, little boys can be preachers, too!”  The little girls were not persuaded since I was the only preacher they knew.  I draw the conclusion that church folk are often like those children; they do not believe what they have not seen is possible. I believe that once churches have experienced the excellent ministry of women, the issue “wears a face” and they gladly receive their gifts. As long as churches debate the ministry of women in the abstract, little progress is made. So…churches should welcome ministry interns, the ministry of lay women, and cultivate a culture of calling so that all persons, gender notwithstanding, can respond to the call of God.