Churches, and even some denominations, have split over the issue. One of the largest churches in America (Saddleback Church) was just ousted from the Southern Baptist Convention over it. In 1 Corinthians 14:34, Paul writes, "Women should remain silent in the churches..." Yet, in Galatians 3:28, Paul also writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." The topic of women in ministry is one that many churches are wrestling with.
Our guest Lillian Hinds, retired Senior Pastor of Meadow Oaks Baptist Church in Temple, TX, shares about her experience of receiving a calling from God on her life, working to figure out what that meant (having grown up in a tradition where being called to ministry as a woman typically meant being a missionary or marrying a pastor), attending seminary, and ultimately pastoring a church.
Lillian has multiple degrees, studied at Baptist Bible College, Southwest Missouri State, Tennessee Temple, and then UT Tyler, and has also earned a Master of Divinity from Truett Theological Seminary in 2008. She worked as an LPC (licensed counselor) for 25 years and has taught The Life and Work of the Pastor at Truett on multiple occasions. Prior to pastoring Meadow Oaks, she served as Music Minister at Bruceville Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Evant, TX. While the number of female Baptist pastors in Texas is growing, there weren't many when Lillian began her tenure at Meadow Oaks. She has helped encourage and mentor a number of ministers (both women and men), and her daughter (Jacqueline Crow) is also living into a call to preach in her own life.
Lillian can be reached at lilhinds@gmail.com.
Links:
Community North Baptist Church website: communitynorthbc.org
Truett Theological Seminary (a seminary which is affirming and supportive of women in ministry): baylor.edu/truett
Music: Lookin' Up by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
