Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy: Advocating for Women in Ministry

Back row: Carron Odokara, Deidra Johnson, Joy Sherman, Randee Doe, and Rebecca New-Edson. Front row: Ann Brandon, Melissa Pratt, MaryAnn Hawkins, and Cheryl Sanders. Ron Duncan was also in attendance as executive director for the Global Wesleyan Alliance.

By Carron Odokara and staff

The Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy (WHWC) organization held a “think tank” Congress on February 23–24, 2017, in Atlanta, Georgia. Forty representatives, both women and men, from five member-church groups, came together to discuss the state and mission of the twenty-five-year-old organization. The Congress welcomed representatives from the Church of God (Anderson), Brethren in Christ, Free Methodist Church, Church of the Nazarene, and the Wesleyan Church. These faith groups came together not only under the banner of Jesus, but also because they’ve each taken a stand in support for women in ministry.

Photo: WHWC Congress, Atlanta, Georgia

“I was deeply impacted by the attendance of some of our brothers in Christ from representative denominations asking the critical question about how they can help in furthering the cause of women in ministry,” Joy Sherman explains. “In particular, as the conversation turned from support to advocacy, I sensed more openness to taking a more proactive approach in the areas where such impact would make a difference. I left the Congress encouraged and excited for the future of the WHWC and its impact on women called to serve—both those in the searching stage, and those active in ministry service today. I believe the biannual conferences will have more energy, greater focus, and fulfill the mission of the organization more effectively.”

Rebecca New-Edson, director of Western Pennsylvania Ministries of the Church of God—and former chairperson of the Ministries Council—also rejoices in the cross-denominational effort for the cause of Christ. “I was encouraged by the flexibility and willingness in rethinking our purpose for being, acknowledging the prevalent needs for undergirding women in ministry, and considering working with other denominations—whether or not they are Wesleyan Holiness—to strengthen support for those women who are entering ministry.” Making a difference for women in ministry is simply too important to take a fractured approach. After all, Jesus is the subject, not which church name is over the door.

Photo: Cheryl Sanders speaks at the event.

Still, working across denominations isn’t the major challenge facing the Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy. “I enjoyed the critical thinking that took place as we looked at the challenges and worked on addressing those challenges,” Rebecca explains. One of the great hurdles to cross is ensuring leadership development among women who sense the diving call. Another challenge, as she puts it, is “enlisting ministers who are men to honestly consider and welcome women as equal coworkers as they lead according to God’s gifting.” The WHWC Congress served as a strategic visioning experience to consider the best ways to meet these and other challenges in the most effective ways possible.

With input from each focus group, WHWC president, Dr. Mari Gonlag and Dr. Jo Anne Lyon (the Wesleyan Church) summarized the Congress’ reflections. Rev. Linda Adams (Free Methodist) and Bishop Perry Engle (Brethren in Christ) also gave summary comments. The Congress gave resounding support for the continuation of the organization, affirming the importance of WHWC as a prophetic voice to impact God’s kingdom through networking/mentoring, advocacy work for women clergy, and broadening funding streams.

“We came to the Congress with questions, ideas, and hopes,” Jo Anne Lyon explains, “but our end result was dependent upon the Holy Spirit’s leading. Well, the results surpassed our imagination. Now, we take courage to walk into all God has in mind!”

The WHWC Board and Planning Committee met for additional days to continue planning for the next WHWC Conference. The Church of God is represented on the WHWC Board by Carron Odokara, and on the WHWC Planning Committee by Deidra Johnson.

The 2018 WHWC Conference is scheduled for April 12–15, 2018, at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. Make plans now to be there!

Learn more about the Church of God at www.JesusIsTheSubject.org.