Plentiful Harvest, Path of Peace

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

That was my life verse, confirmed in many ways, when I made the choice to obey God and endure seminary though I really didn’t want to go.  As a woman, I was not entirely welcome by many men who questioned my motives and caused me to question my call.  It was painful and discouraging.

God sent me for a time out in Minnesota and then sent me right back, this time with a somewhat better attitude and far greater confidence that He was behind my studying there for reasons that are still unclear to me today.

Women go to seminary for a variety of reasons, just like men do.  Some are young, show up looking for a godly husband, though their odds are just as good (or bad) in a church.  Some show up secretly seeking redemption for a life that included events such as abortion, divorce, etc. for which they still carry a stain of unreconciled guilt.  Some are single and destined to remain that way, viewing seminary as the Protestant version of a Catholic’s Convent.  Some are more at home with the LGBTQ movement…and some are simply power-hungry or sinful disruptors, not unlike some men who go to seminary.

But some are Biblical Chads in the making and have that “faith seeking understanding” of the nature and character of God so we may love Him more completely. It’s important to have that Line in the Sand to foster Biblical Chads.

However, when a Line in the Sand becomes a wall of division,
do we risk denying the very workers
God has sent for the sake of His harvest? 

Back to the SBC vote regarding women in the pastorate (as one of 3 societal events happening concurrently in the Prism of Manhood), Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church was appealing the SBC’s decision to expel them.  They had ordained three women to be pastors in title, office, and/or function.

I think a lot about this issue because it’s personal to me, but I also respect The Line in the Sand.  Perhaps the SBC was rash to expel them (rather than suspend them), but sensible to hold the line because the truth is…

… there are godly and ungodly ways to do this. 

“Do what you know is against the rules and apologize later” isn’t in the Bible or answer the WWJD?  Neither is forcing your way based upon your power, size, or self-aggrandized influence.  Nor is to treat God’s Word as anything less than enduring for all times reflected in Fern Creek Baptist rainbow stole-clad pastor Linda Barnes Popham’s “we just interpret it differently.”  Yeah, that’s what they always say.

One question for today:

Read that last 2 paragraphs and these Scriptures and ask God to reveal Himself.  What would God’s approach be?

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18)

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

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The “Prism of Manhood” series includes:

http://seminarygal.com/a-prism-of-manhood/
http://seminarygal.com/andrew-tate-dangerous-masquerade/
http://seminarygal.com/andrew-tate-positive-instruction-silent-conquest/
http://seminarygal.com/tim-ballard-sound-of-freedom/
http://seminarygal.com/misguided-manhood-and-the-church/
http://seminarygal.com/reviving-muscular-christianity/
http://seminarygal.com/biblical-chads/
http://seminarygal.com/riptide-and-a-line-in-the-sand/