Who Should be the Head?

                                             Men, of course! 

That's what I learned as a kid. The Apostle Paul said so, "For the husband is head of the wife..." So, if you're like most, you just accepted the pronouncement that men should also be leaders of the church. If that's what you thought, well hang on to your hat--because the theologians from Andrews University have just released a statement on about leadership in the church--and the family--and it's going to blow your mind. 
                                      
                                                   Are you ready?

The document opens by unequivocally declaring that the church’s head, or leader, is no one other than Christ. Here are a few quotes that will lead to some interesting discussions during our Sabbath fellowship meal.

“While there exists legitimate leadership in the church, no other human being may rightfully claim a headship role in the church,” it says. “As head of the church, Christ provides the ultimate manifestation of God’s love, demonstrating and vindicating God’s moral government of love, and thus defeating the counterfeit government of the usurping ‘ruler of this world.’”
The article goes on to say: “Since Christ is the unique Husband of the church (Christ’s metaphorical bride), the members of the church cannot themselves be husbands of the church but collectively, men and women together, are the bride of Christ.” 

But, what about the major controversy as to whether women should be pastors--or heaven forbid, conference presidents? Isn't that the unique role Jesus reserved for men...since his 12 disciples were men?

Well, I hate to disappoint you, but the statement makes no mention of women’s ordination. But it does affirm that God created man and woman equal in the Garden of Eden, and it says that God desires to restore that equality.

The statement also addresses Biblical understandings of the roles of men and women. Here's where you are going to want to get your Bibles and do some studying to see if you agree with the following quote from the Andrews theologians:

 “Although various interpretations of Gen 3:16 have recognized some kind of post-Fall disruption of this pre-Fall egalitarian ideal, the Bible consistently calls us back to God’s original plan for full equality without hierarchy (Song 7:10; Isa 65:17, 25; cf. Gen 1:29-30),” the statement says.

“Paul’s writings, though often misunderstood (2 Pet 3:16), maintain this Eden model (Eph 5:21-23), affirming with the rest of Scripture the Gospel ideal of the ultimate restoration of the Eden model (cf. Matt 19:8; 2 Cor 5:17; Gal 3:28).

                         And to put the frosting on the leadership cake: 

Do you agree or disagree?

Ellen White underlines this     redemptive paradigm: 

‘Woman should fill the position which God originally designed for her, as her husband’s equal, (AH 231),” 














                                    
   

If you want to read the whole statement, go to: Andrews Website

I'm Back!

View of Norris Lake from the Chalet

            2014 held such promise. I was excited about blogging about the people, activities, and interests of the Lawai Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church. Then at the end of March, everything changed. I was called back to Tennessee to work with my kids on a major renovation of our ministry home (the Chalet) on Norris Lake. Two and a half months later, after attending my first grandchild’s high school graduation, then visiting my sister in Oklahoma, and finally fulfilling a speaking appointment at the White Memorial Church in Los Angeles, I was looking forward to getting back to my responsibilities here in Kauai—which included blogging.

Exercising on our Quadriciser

             Instead, I fell off a step-ladder, broke my femur (in three places at the hip), had surgery and spent a month in the hospital and rehab facility. I came home July 13 thinking, “As soon as I learn to walk again, I’ll start blogging.” Now, I realize walking without a limp may take a lot longer than I thought. So, I just got off the Quadriciser—that’s the exercise machine that’s helping me put myself back together—and limped over to my computer—and said, “It’s time!”

            So much has happened in the five months I’ve been either off island or rehabbing, that I hardly know where to start. Maybe I should start with this thought:

I'm back taking care of my husband.
Sept. 1 we celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary.

Recovery takes time; it takes patience;

It takes everything you’ve got,

But with God all things are possible.

            I have a new appreciation for those who are challenged physically. It’s easy to be discouraged when you don’t feel good, can’t do what you’d like to do, and are pretty much helpless! But hold on, keep a song in your heart, and don’t be embarrassed to ask for help. I praise God for professional caregivers who knew what to do to get me moving again, for a son and daughter who stepped in to care for their dad when I couldn’t, and most of all for those who showered me with a spirit of optimism, words of encouragement, a full Sabbath afternoon of song, and a whole lot of prayer! 

Ahhh, and it feels so good to be back!