WOMEN INFERIOR?

     Should FBC have women deacons?  Probably.  Some may not like that we have a children's "pastor" and a great one!  Some churches would never give the title of "pastor" to a woman!  Jeanette Hawkins has preached, baptized, done weddings, funerals, and served as a pastor to many children and families.  The only hesitation that I have in having women serve as deacons is that, from a cultural standpoint, if women serve, then some men may not feel it is that important and so they might back away.  And deacon ministry IS vital and important whether practiced by women or men.
     So why opposition to women in ministry?  Opponents contend that women are "equal in being though unequal in role."  They point out that in Corinthians there is a verse that says "it is shameful for a woman to speak in church"  (I Corinthians 14:35) and I Timothy 2:11 says "Let a woman learn in silence with full submission."  But many point out that (1) Paul is speaking to a unique situation in Corinth, and (2) women in the audience should not whisper and disrupt worship-- but they can preach.
     To conclude there is an inferior "role" for women ignores Paul's requirement that "any woman who prays or prohesies" must have her head covered (11:5).  Also, Phoebe is described a s "a deacon" (Romans 16:1). and in Romans 16:7, Paul greets Junia as "prominent among the apostles." 
     Yet the persistence of patriarchy survives in our culture.  It is probably more cultural than Biblical.  As Carlyle Marney once said, "Southern Baptists are sometimes more Southern than they are Baptist and more Baptist than they are Christian."  I cast my lot among those who support women in ministry.

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

Here are some thoughts by Diane Loomans about rearing children:

If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.
I would be firm less often and affirm much more,
I'd model less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.