My husband Don and I have been married for 50 years. He is my biggest supporter. For over 14 years I was a ministry assistant in the Church Starting Center of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (also known as BGCT and now known as Texas Baptists). In 2000, I became convinced that the Southern Baptist Convention was starting down a path of holding women to the 1st century Bible days, while the men were allowed to move into the 21st century. This blog is to encourage women to claim the equality that is rightfully theirs.
Ifind that I can no longer support Baptists and their belief system. The Southern Baptist Conventi0n has decided to freeze in place. Or more specifically, have decided that women are to freeze in place while the men are allowed to move on into this 21st century. No restrictions have been placed on the men. In fact, in the adoption of the Danvers Statement of Biblical Manhood and Biblical Womanhood by the Southwestern Theological Baptist Seminary, it will be made very clear that the men are selected by God to have Male Headship over the women and over the families. This is going to have long-term results and women will suffer because of it. They will suffer because there is no way you can give men, or women for that matter, this kind of god-like power that this statement gives them without it having serious consequences. Remember that the serpent tempted Eve by saying “…you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” A man cannot be between his wife and God. That makes him a god, and her a lesser being.
So, no. I have had enough. Paige Patterson of the SWTBS and Al Mohler, do not speak for me. Mr. Piper and Mr. Grudem do not speak for me. I am a Christian woman. And I claim my equality in the body of Christ, no matter what church I am in.
Follow with me on this journey. Your participation is needed.
Visit my website www.bwebaptist.com for more information on all these subjects.
Shirley Taylor
From a reader about my blog:
I have to say, reading your blog has been very beneficial for me personally. I was troubled by half-believing a couple of things comp doctrine says, but with your scriptural understanding and logic you’ve helped to convince me further that God really is gender-blind.
As a result I’ve been able to see God as more of a loving Father, perfect in fairness and in how he views all humans. I’ve been able to see more of how he sees me – that he doesn’t value anyone more than me, and doesn’t value me more than anyone else. Especially not based on gender. I’ve realised that he loves me and judges me based on my heart, and doesn’t take sex into account when he looks at my soul, or anyone’s soul for that matter. That said, he loves me as a woman as well, and sees not a weaker-made servant but someone of equal strength, who can do a few things that fill in the gaps for men, like men can do a few things that fill in gaps for us. Other than that, the sexes are no different and neither were meant to ‘lead’.
Thanks to your blog, primarily (I’ve also done some external reading), I’ve been able to see myself more through God’s eyes. Thank You.
Shirley Taylor is a member of Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) and subscribes to their faiths and beliefs statement.
Shirley Taylor is a member of Texas Baptists Committed.
http://vimeo.com/14824926 Video of our Seneca Falls 2 Christian Women’s Rights Convention July 24, 2010. See Shirley Taylor speak
http://effectiveleader.org/shirleys-story/ Shirley’s Story printed in the Center for Effective Leadership of Texas Baptists (also known as Baptist General Convention of Texas) (NOTE: They appear to have deleted this page with all women’s stories, not just mine.)
http://vimeo.com/14784960 Husband and Wife: Homemakers Together from FreeCWC’.com. Three minute version of speech.
http://undermuchgrace.blogspot.com/2010/08/valiant-warrior-ive-found-one-and-she.html Woman of Valor - Shirley Taylor story
