Dear Signers of An Open Letter to Baptist Women:
One week ago, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee voted to disfellowship another church, Rabbit Creek Church in Anchorage, Alaska, because of their support for women in ministry.
The SBC Executive Committee disfellowshipping a church on these grounds is not new, but what is new is that apparently their church leaders’ decision to sign An Open Letter to Baptist Women was considered evidence enough to disfellowship.
According to Baptist Press, even though the executive director of the Alaska Baptist Resource Network, Randy Covington, denied that the church was egalitarian, the signatures of Rabbit Creek’s pastor, Mark Goodman, his wife, and four ministry leaders on An Open Letter to Baptist Women were deemed public demonstration of egalitarian beliefs.
Whether or not Rabbit Creek Church holds egalitarian beliefs, we lament the pain that the members and leadership of Rabbit Creek Church are experiencing in light of the Executive Committee’s decision. Faith belonging is a powerful aspect of identity, and we would hope all places of identity would create space for those who want to be a part.
We know that some of you who signed this letter may also be affiliated with the SBC, while many others of you are affiliated with other Baptist groups, other denominations, or other faiths.
But if you or your church are affiliated with the SBC, my encouragement to you is the same as the angel said to the women when they discovered Jesus’ resurrection the first Easter Sunday—Do not be afraid.
As when you originally signed on in agreement with the Open Letter, women still need to know that they are made in God’s image and that they are worthy of God’s calling. Women still need to know that they are valued by God equally to how God values men. Women still need to know that Jesus did not make a mistake by calling the women at the resurrection to proclaim the good news and Jesus does not make mistakes when he calls women today.
Fear is a control tactic of the powerful. Their actions are an attempt to make you fearful of reprisal for any and all public support of women in ministry and women’s equality. We implore you to not let their assertion of power deter you from making the church more equitable for women.
In fact, rather than backing down, I encourage you to multiply your actions in support of women’s equality in the church.
This Saturday, March 1, is the beginning of women’s history month and also BWIM Month of Advocacy—an opportunity for you to demonstrate your commitment to the full affirmation of women in ministry and to engage in actions that transform faith environments in small and big ways. On our website you can find suggestions for daily individual engagement on the Month of Advocacy calendar and ideas for your church or organization to take the next steps in its journey of uplifting the callings and gifts of women.
I will close this letter to you with the same words that ended An Open Letter to Baptist Women.
“The perpetuation of male authoritarianism has led to far too much abuse, pain, hurt, and sorrow for women. We invite you to find freedom from this pain in Jesus Christ, and to reclaim God’s design of men and women both being created in the image of the limitless God.”
With hope,
Meredith Stone
Executive Director