(Joel 2:25-29; Romans 16:1-7) J G White

Sunday, May 14, 2017, UBC Digby

One evening last week, I happened to change my plans, spur of the moment, and go with Sharon to a community meeting not far from here, to discuss the challenges of patriarchy and misogyny in our society.  Patriarchy – the rule of males as the head of, well everything: families, societies, churches, governments, educators.  Misogyny – hatred and prejudice against women because they are women.  The meeting, of eight people, was a profound time of sharing: sharing experience and wisdom and hopes.

Today happens to be a day to celebrate women, in a variety of ways.  Motherhood is in the forefront, and every human has had a mother.  Personally, today, it just so happens that Sharon White is graduating from university, with a degree in Christian ministry – for women and men in ministry.  And, with Baptists across Canada this year, we here speak out and we act to help women become leaders, in the faith, and in their communities.  

Hundred of years before the days of Jesus, the prophet Joel proclaimed the word of God: I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten…  (Joel 2:25)  

There is repayment in God’s Kindom for women who have been put down, oppressed, abused, disadvantaged.  God’s word through Joel goes on to say:  I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophecy…  Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. (2:28a, 29)

Popular awareness of women’s issues was highlighted in recent years by Malala Yousafzai, of Pakistan, activist for education, beginning at age 11. Murder attempt on her life at age 15. Nobel Peace Prize laureate at age 17.  Now, at 19, made an honourary Canadian citizen.  

In our own way, we Christians, Baptist Christians, have a mission for the sake of women’s education and leadership.  Today, we focus upon our Canadian Baptist Ministries She Matters campaign:

In the first year, She Matters 1 improved access to education for girls. She Matters Too equipped women with vocational skills, business training and grants, to help her earn family income. Now it is her turn to lead!  She Matters 3 will provide enhanced learning and leadership opportunities to empower women who inspire, encourage and help others to develop their God-given potential.  

Funds and awareness in this year’s campaign will support important initiatives, including – Offering theological education scholarships to female church leaders in the Middle East and North Africa, a region in turmoil and in need of Christian witness.

We now know well, in our corner of the world, that women are called into ‘Christian ministry,’ so called.  By God’s will and grace, they go to divinity colleges, they become pastors and professors and chaplains.  Sharon White, along with other women, was just commissioned by our own Div School on Friday, and the students will graduate from Acadia this very afternoon! (That is why Sharon and I will leave this service early – to get to Wolfville on time!)

And we of Digby County are also coming ahead in terms of our understanding of Arabic speaking peoples, and all those of the Middle East.  The deeply rooted and damaging stereotypes of Ahab the A-rab, with a harem of women, or of Ahmed the [dead] terrorist, are being overcome – though it is slow progress.  

When we ponder women going to a Divinity College, do we think of those who speak Arabic, who are Christians praying to Allah, and even Baptize believers by immersion as we do?  If you read the colour leaflet in last week’s bulletin, you saw a photo of Samar, a theology student at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Lebanon.  Let that sink in again – the Arab, Baptist, theological school, in Lebanon.  Women are being trained for ministry there.

 We are part of this team across the world, and we can give to help their education. This is what She Matters 3 is about.  

It is also for – Empowering women in Rwanda by providing training on gender issues, women and children’s rights and entrepreneurship.  We have global field staff posted in nations such as this, to partner with churches and organizations there, to see that the work gets done. So, in Rwanda, Africa, we Canadian Baptists have Janice Mills, as well as Darrell and Laura Lee Bustin.  

One bit of work Janice and Laura Lee do together is to host short term mission teams.  For instance, back in January they hosted a group of eleven women from across Canada who travelled to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  Among other things, they spent time with women there who had experienced serious trauma.  Through their loving presence, words of encouragement, and small acts of kindness, they showed these women that they truly matter.  She Matters!  (Tidings, May 2017, p.3)

You will notice that this Baptist mission campaign also is about – Supporting national female pastors so they are able to serve among the Chinese diaspora.  You know what a diaspora is, eh?  An ethnic group living away from their homeland.  You may well know that we Canadian Baptists have John and Ruth Chan as global field staff working with chinese young people – especially students – who are not in China.  Do you know where the Chans are serving?  In Germany.  Working with the ‘Chinese diaspora’ there.

In an update, John tells this story:

“Pastor Chan, I will be flying back to China tomorrow. Thank you and Mrs. Chan for helping me and caring for me while in Germany. I will have fond memories of the time spent here in Hannover. May God bless you two!”

The message is from a M.D. graduate. She arrived in Hannover two years before to pursue her M.D. degree. Amazingly, she graduated in only a little over two years. During her time here, she only attended Bible study meetings sporadically. But she attended every week after she finished her thesis. Not only did she attend Bible study meetings, she went to Chinese library operated by FMCD [Friends for the Mission among Chinese in Germany] to read books. She spent all her time reading different books and writing down notes fearing that she will miss some detail. She said that she was very grateful that she could spend her first Christmas (two years ago) in German at our home with a group of other new students. It made her feel welcomed into a big family.

She attended a Christmas celebration in our big family just before returning to China. When she received the goodbye gift from us, a 365-day devotions book, she was elated and said, “It is just what I need because the book includes background information on each Bible passage. It will help me to understand the Bible. I will use it every day!” We pray that the Word of God and the Love of Christ will be with her as she returns to China.  (Ministry Update Chans in Hanover, Q4 2016)

John and Ruth Chan are now about to finish their ministry there and take on new responsibilities.  It may be the Chans as well as others who will help support female pastors to Chinese people living in various other nations.

And this She Matters 3 campaign also supports – Other CBM programs which seek to educate, equip, and empower some of the world’s most marginalized women and girls.

Our quest for justice across the globe will shift our thinking about the women and girls of our own lives and neighbourhoods.  We will clear our eyes and know the better attitudes and actions we can take with our own mothers, sisters and daughters.  And with men.  Sometimes the chauvinistic ways of men can best be addressed by other men.  

The personal greetings at the end of the big letter we call Romans, included women: I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 …she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.

Let us consider the women (and men) for whom we are grateful – and why.  Make your own list today.  
Mom Joan, who bore me, and raised me to be whatever I wanted to be.
Nanna Daisy, who encouraged Faith in me.
Gramma Dorothy, who showed me I am special.
Friend Ruth, who allowed me to be a kindred spirit.
Gardener Marilyn, who exemplified enthusiasm.
Deacon Tracy, who challenged my ideas of leadership.
Wife Sharon, who shows me the deep path of love and inner healing.

Make your own list today.  For they have cared for us, nurtured our faith, challenged our assumptions, inspired our lives.  Let us strive for the freedom and good life of others, both near and far away.  She matters.  Let us act on the lessons we have learned, the love we have been filled with, the Spirit we’ve been given.  

For it is the Holy Spirit who will be poured out on all people; our sons and daughters shall have a word from God on their lips.  Even on males and females who do not get paid for anything, the Spirit will fall.  

Such is the grace of God!