Highlights of the
=EQUAL to SERVE=
Conference

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One dedicated widow in her seventies drove by herself for two days in order to attend the first =EQUAL to SERVE= Conference held in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 25-27, 2001. This is just one example of the high level of commitment shown by the women and married couples that attended from all over the United States. There was a joyful, friendly attitude from the first as people with different backgrounds met with a common interest in women being allowed to serve God. There was a strong sense of God's presence in the spirit of harmony, and in how each presentation interlocked with the other presentations and workshops.

Pastor John Currier acted as host and moderator, and gave a warm welcome and an overview of the conference. He opened the conference by setting the mood of anticipation for learning, discernment of scriptures, and relaxed fellowship. He discussed the attitudes of Jesus reflecting the equality of men and women. John sited Paul's words in Galatians 3:28 to illustrate that nationality, race, social standing and gender were not to limit a Christian's participation. In addition, John later gave an interactive workshop on "Public Speaking without Fear," giving a lot of helpful hints and leading a vigorous discussion. Another participation workshop was "Spiritual Gifts, what are they and what do I do with them?" Participants opened tiny gifts with scriptures inside to drive home the point that each Christian, male or female, receives a gift from God that is to be used to serve all those who are "in Christ". Each person read and discussed the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Cor. 12 and Ephesians 4:11-13, and concluded from the scriptures that only God—and not man—decides who receives which gift. None of the gifts are "male" gifts or "female" gifts, but God can give any "gift" or calling to either gender! Using one's gifts in an attitude of love was also stressed.

Pastor Tom Justus from Arkansas who has been a pastor for many years and is very well known within the Churches of God, spoke persuasively on the equality of women in the church, and documented it with many scriptures. "Everyone is preparing for the Kingdom of God. How do women prepare to be leaders and teachers in the Kingdom of God if they can't participate and practice today?" he asked. He sited 1 Corinthians 11 to prove that both men and women were praying and prophesying in active participation in the early churches. Mr. Justus expounded on the roles of women in the New Testament such as the Samaritan woman of John 4:6 to whom Jesus revealed that He was the Messiah. Others were converted by her testimony as she preached this "good news." Mr. Justus also emphasized that women were at the burial of Jesus and were first to witness His resurrection and to spread the news to others.

Patricia Manning, Ph.D. from New York, gave "Paul—Misunderstood Again", a clear, well-organized presentation. She first covered 1 Tim. 2:11-12, showing a more likely translation of this passage. She explained the influence of the religion of Artemis, which propagated female superiority, on the problems in the Ephesus church. In explaining 1 Cor. 14 she linked the Oracle of Delphi across the bay from Corinth to the disorder in the Corinthian church. Understanding this phenomena helps to explain some of the answers that Paul gives in this letter to the Corinthians. She concluded that neither passage limits the participation of women but instead was addressing situations unique to that time period. She also gave examples of many women who "labored in Christ" along side of Paul, and concluded that Paul did not hate women, as many have believed.

Pam Dewey of Michigan, who is well known in many of the churches of God for her excellent workshops and seminars, presented "History is Her Story Too". She began with a multitude of negative female examples commonly used in past sermons to degrade women, Eve's sin, Jezebel, and others, and then offered numerous positive female role models such as Esther, Mary (the mother of Jesus), Anna the prophetess, Mary Magdalene, Priscilla, Lydia, Euodia and Syntyche. She explained that women were also being thrown into prison, Acts 8:3, and would not have been if they were not actively participating in spreading the gospel! Mrs. Dewey, who once thought her only "spiritual gift" was baking the best leavened and unleavened brownies for local potlucks, now is widely acknowledged as "a teacher of teachers". Pam brought copies of her three part course, "Each One Teach One" and "Beyond Belief." She also gave examples in recent church history of women active in leadership roles in Sabbath keeping churches.

Nona Meacham, an ordained minister in "Harvest Time Ministries", gave a power packed sermon, "Created Equal", full of love and insight into the Genesis account of God creating both Adam and Eve equal in God's eyes. She talked of the endurance and determination of women and the strength of men and women working together. She pointed out that Satan had to destroy this joint teamwork because he understood the great power of their united effort in spreading the truth of God. Her presentation helped everyone to better understand and appreciate the strengths of women. "God must always be first in your life," was a major point, and "Don't wait to be ordained!" She spoke of a very close relationship with God and urged that nothing must come before God in one's life.

Pastor Dianne McDonnell, of the Church of God, Dallas-Fort Worth, spoke on Deborah who led Israel as a prophet and judge in the presence of strong male leadership, Judges 5:15, in her talk, "God Has Plans for You". Mrs. McDonnell stressed that Deborah remained totally feminine in her leadership and service to God. She also presented a new research paper, "Junia, a Female Apostle" showing that Junia, mentioned in Romans 16:7, was both female and a later apostle. (That paper is enclosed.) In a sermon called "Pentecost Dynamite" Mrs. McDonnell maintained that God empowered women to be "Equal to Serve" on Pentecost in the first century as recorded in Acts 1:14, 15 and Chapter 2. She pointed out that women were speaking languages and witnessing to the unconverted men in Jerusalem, causing Peter to say that the prophecy of Joel had been fulfilled, Acts 2:16-18. Bible translators inserted "men" in several verses of Acts 2, and thus hid the involvement of the women during Pentecost services.

Wayne and Claudia Speed of Phoenix, Arizona, announced that they will host a "Building Bridges" Feast of Tabernacles Festival at a beautiful mountain resort in Cuernavaca, Mexico, which will feature escorted tours and group activities. A special opportunity will be purchasing and distributing necessities to needy people. This project symbolizes helping others in the millennium. This will be an =EQUAL to SERVE= Feast site. For more information call the Speed's at (623) 465-0418 or email wspeed@webtv.net.

Each night after the conference many met together at local restaurants for dinner, fellowship, and discussions of what had been presented. There was a tremendous feeling of camaraderie, joy, and love. As the conference ended, it was obvious that God's Spirit was present; everyone was bonded in friendship and already anticipating the next =EQUAL to SERVE= Conference.

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