Reviewed Book: Anderson, Grace M. God Calls, Man Chooses: A Study of Women in Ministry. Burlington, Ont: TPI, 1990

Wehrfritz-Hanson, Julianna

English

Scholars Commons

God Calls, Man Chooses: A Study of Women in Ministry

Wilfrid Laurier University

ConsensusVolume 18Issue 2 Word and Worship: Essays on Preaching andLiturgyArticle 1811-1-1992God Calls, Man Chooses: A Study of Women inMinistryJulianna Wehrfritz-HansonFollow this and additional works at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensusThis Book Reviews is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Consensus by anauthorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact scholarscommons@wlu.ca.Recommended CitationWehrfritz-Hanson, Julianna (1992) "God Calls, Man Chooses: A Study of Women in Ministry," Consensus: Vol. 18 : Iss. 2 , Article 18.Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol18/iss2/18Book Reviews 135extended tolerance in the face of even radical uniqueness. Stress-relateddifficulties could be reduced significantly, the general level of people’s self-esteem raised appreciatively, and relaxation experienced regularly” (112).“I can honestly say that I saw signs of health and principles of behavioramong the people behind that locked door which, if embraced by peopleon the other side, could contribute to the enhancement of life in an opensociety” (125).Although Gaddy did not enter the ordained ministry wishing to “serveas the Messiah”, he notes significantly that “my actions revealed a ‘mes-sianic mind-set’ ” (129). “Who but the Messiah sees herself as indispensablein every ministry of the church, imagines that he never requires relaxationand rest, insists on being present at every meeting within a fellowship, de-termines to give leadership in all realms of an institution’s life, always wantsanother challenge, refuses to acknowledge limitations, gives no thought tothe needs of herself? Actually, no one, not even the Messiah” (130). Iron-ically, “efforts to do more and more are met with abilities to do less andless” (131). Gaddy’s word of wisdom: Take seriously what is recorded inExodus 18:17-18 and in Mark 9:24!Some of the practical advice Gaddy offers to churches is: Be realisticin your expectations of ministers; remember that perfect pastors are asdifficult to find as perfect parishioners; insist that your pastor participatein regularly scheduled experiences of continuing education and relaxation;practice love and grace (162-164). His counsel to ministers, which he inclu-sively calls “advice to adults” is: Trust God alone; remember that deceptiondestroys more than it preserves; do not ever say “never”; be a friend; play;take care of yourself and your family; keep in touch with reality; ask forhelp (150-159).In a day when many are the ministers who are feeling stressed, lonelyand/or depressed, “the confessions” of C. Welton Gaddy have much tooffer. I have a hunch that we all can find ourselves described somewhereon these pages, and in that recognition there may be some wisdom here formeaningful living and helpful service.Arnold D. WeigelWaterloo Lutheran SeminaryGod Calls: Man Chooses. A Study of Women in Min-istryGrace M. Anderson and Juanne Nancarrow ClarkeBurlington, ON: Trinity Press, 1990167 pagesAs the title indicates this book is a study of women in ministry basedon a questionnaire sent to 1985 female graduates of Eastern Canadian semi-naries and other institutions providing training for full-time ministry in the136 ConsensusAnglican, Baptist, Presbyterian and United Churches. Although this studydid not include Lutheran graduates, nevertheless, many of the insights andstatistics apply. The findings of the study were presented with informationfrom other sources such as books on related materials and the results ofstudies from other professions.God Calls: Man Chooses presents the realities of women ministers’ livesat this point in history. While it touches upon the hopes and vision thatmany of these women hold for the church, it also addresses the areas thatare challenging and frustrating for them.The statistics show that there is a marked underemployment of womenministers. Furthermore, they are frequently placed in positions as assis-tants or in the less prestigious calls or in areas traditionally associated withwomen such as Christian education, youth work, and visitation. However,the women in the study expressed a desire to be fully involved in all min-istries and positions within the church.The strengths that women ministers offer include an emphasis on emo-tionality and caring, social concern, particularly for the marginalized, in-terest in counselling and healing, inclusivity, the use of different symbols,ways of talking about God, and an interest in deepening spirituality.The effect and price of tokenism upon women ministers is set out in adirect manner. Exceptional performance is expected leading to a drive forperfection at a cost of time for family, social life and self resulting in a highrate of burn-out.A rather dismal statistic is the 98% reporting sexual harassment, themajor offenders being male colleagues; 95% experienced discrimination onaccount of gender in various ways. On the other hand, women ministersfound their greatest support from other women in ministry and throughtheir inner spiritual practices.Almost a quarter of the women graduates had left the church for secularemployment because the demands were too excessive in addition to copingwith a general lack of acceptance or appreciation. There were also thosewho had returned to secular employment because their spouse’s positionrequired the family to remain in a certain location and women pastorscould not find a call there.While women ministers want equal numbers of women and men in allareas of the church’s ministry and decision-making committees and boards,this desire is frustrated by the lack of experienced and qualified femalecandidates because too many women ministers are going back to secularemployment. This situation, in turn, is related to the fact that they do notget suitable positions within the church or they find the demands and timerequirements too high.In the placement of women graduates, some denominations were moreintentional than others. The Baptist Convention was the most unwilling toaccept women ministers and thus were losing them to other denominations.The United Church was the most organized and deliberate in seeing thatall their graduates would be placed.Book Reviews 137God Calls: Man Chooses is an honest consideration of women in min-istry within the Canadian context. It provides an overview of the presentlived experience of women in ministry. It raises particular issues, attitudesand practices that need to be examined and adjusted within the variousdenominations in order that women ministers can answer the divine callinto ministry as fully and in as healthy a way as possible. Only then cantheir gifts and capabilities be properly exercised as God intends for thebuilding up of the church and its mission to the world.Julianna Wehrfritz-HansonCalgary, AlbertaAids to the Psalms: Cycle CHugh H. DrennanLima, Ohio: C.S.S. Pub. Co., Inc., 1991152 pagesThis book proposes to assist the church leader in fostering spiritualgrowth through increased use of the psalms.The third in a series of three books, Drennan develops themes in thepsalms appointed for Cycle C of the Common Lectionary. Each psalmappears in the New Revised Standard Version of the biblical text followedby an “alternate image” and a brief “reflection”.The “alternate image” segments are set in the context of a singer,troubadour, or minstrel throughout the book. There is a healthy balancebetween female and male images. Some images are quite innovative such asGood Friday’s troubadour with AIDS (Psalm 22). Other image sections areunimaginative expansions of the psalm’s existing image. The “reflection”sections exhibit less excitement and sometimes offer facile answers to someof the psalmist’s honest scepticism.The book consistently ignores the thematic movement through the sea-sons of the church year, e.g., Drennan misses the clarion call of Advent,“For you I wait all day long” (Psalm 25:4), Advent 1. However, he takesseveral opportunities to point out the theological significance of several He-brew words, e.g., hesed (p. 36), hallel (p. 101), gahal (p. 138). A glossaryof key Hebrew words (p. 10) assists the reader in plumbing the depths ofthe nuances of important Hebrew concepts.Preachers looking for creative contemporary images will And some use-ful material here. In this reviewer’s opinion, however, the book falls shortof its stated purpose to provide personal spiritual growth opportunities fortoday’s pastor.Potential readers should be aware that the psalms appointed for theCommon Lectionary correspond reasonably well from Advent 1 to The Holy

https://scholars.wlu.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1852&amp;context=consensus

God Calls, Man Chooses: A Study of Women in Ministry

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Scholars Commons

Wilfrid Laurier University