Stories of Women
in Our "Herstory"

The 215th General Assembly (2003) asked the church to tell "stories of women's journeys toward ordination" as part of the anniversary celebration. Read these stories.

Women and Vocations: Answering God's Call

Four women, three of whom were the first woman president of the seminary they serve and the other who carries her ministry out in the world, discuss how God's call has affected their professions and lives. Read the story.

Women's Ordination Timeline

This timeline describes the history of women's ordination in the church based upon research from General Assembly minutes of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessor denominations, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church of America. View timeline.

Tending the Flame: Women Called to Lead

Celebrating the anniversary of the recognition of women's call to ordained ministry

2005 and 2006 mark special anniversaries for women in leadership as deacons, elders and clergywomen in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and its predecessor denominations. Learn more about the celebrations.

Celebrate Women's History Month in March

Celebrating Women's History Month in March allows us the opportunity to reflect upon the struggles and tribulations of the women who fought for us to be where were are today. Learn about the history behind Women's History Month, get resources to help you recognize women's contribution in your congregation and activities that you can plan in your local community.

[ Learn about Women's History Month ]

The Story of Women's Ministries in the PC(USA)

Women have always been central to the life and mission of the Presbyterian denomination. However, women's leadership has not always been appropriately acknowledged, not universally sought within church structures.

Basic assumptions about men, women, roles and equality were significantly challenged in the 1960s. A new vision of partnership for women and men began to transform the Christian community's self-awareness as a whole people of God in the 1970s. Groups within the church began to assert their conviction that the church should model in its corporate life a concern for justice and equality for all God's people.

During the 1970s, many "task forces on women" began to be formed in the church to explore new ways of gender partnerships. More and more women began to take their places beside their brothers to teach and preach, to chair committees and make policy decisions.

Through the 1980s, a new presence emerged as women increasingly became biblical scholars and theologians. Many in the church were beginning to see the Bible, theology and the world through women's eyes.

In 1983, reunion of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) resulted in a new structure and the formation of the Women's Ministry Unit. The church structure has evolved and since 1993 the Women's Ministries Program Area continued as a part of the National Ministries Division.

With the coming of the new millennium and the turn of another century, women's ministries faces new challenges. In 2004, with reduced budgets and a smaller staff, a focus on advocacy and education will be primary as we seek to walk the way of Jesus the Christ, proclaiming the good news on behalf of women!

Women's Organizations 1967–1993

Years of Strong Effort, by Annette Chapman, offers a historical reflection on the development of women's organizations in Presbyterian Churches in 1967–1993 including Presbyterian Women. Download this 75 page booklet.

To order, use the order button below or contact Presbyterian Distribution Services at (800) 524-2612. Include the title of the resource and its item number in your request.

$5.00
Item #7271098001

Women Elders ... Called by God? (booklet)
This booklet addresses the scriptural basis for the ordination of women to offices in the church. Available in English, Spanish and Korean.

To obtain a booklet, contact Women's Ministries.

Women Elders ... Called by God? (study)

This study written by Richard and Catherine Kroeger was developed for congregations and groups that struggle with the question of whether or not to ordain women as elders. When we ask the question of whether women should be ordained to church offices such as elder, deacon or trustee, we tend to forget the difficulties involved in finding scriptural grounds for our decisions pro or con. We invite you to study the information presented in the hope that it may point the thinking of God's people in new directions.

Download this study.

Should Women Keep Silence in the Churches?
A biblical inquiry by Aurelia T. Fule, 1976

This resource written three decades ago debates the points that were customarily brought up against the ordination of women. These points include the subordination of woman according to the order of creation, the male priesthood of the Old Testament, the fact that Jesus Christ was a man and the apostles he appointed were all men and the fact that Paul prohibited women from speaking in the congregation.

Download this resource.

Everywoman
A historical morality play in five acts and three interruptions

At the 2003 Women of Faith Awards Breakfast the premier performance of Everywoman was presented. Donna Blackstock is the literary creator of this version of the history of women in the church. A delightful staging of a difficult and sometimes painful adventure in living. Women continue to face the challenges and raise the questions needed to bring about justice. Donna has graciously offered us the play and is making it available to you for use with women across the church. Get the play.

Are you a theologian? Some theologians are scholars and spend most of their time studying, writing and reflecting in this endeavor. Some of us are simply engaged through our lives and faith in reflecting on the question, "Where is God in this?"

As we notice, pay attention and wonder about God we become theologians too. The following items and current information deal with some of the theological questions that lay before us in this era.

Women's Ministries produced a series of primers on theology from women's perspectives to help introduce readers to feminist, mujerista, womanist and Asian American theologies.

Bibliography: Women Doing Theology

The 211th General Assembly (1999) requested Women's Ministries in consultation with the Office of Theology and Worship to produce a resource lifting up recent contributions by women theologians, biblical scholars, ethicists and liturgists of diverse theological perspectives within the Reformed tradition for congregational study. [ View bibliography ]

Inclusive Language

Inclusive language is important because it expresses what we believe. It suggests that God is far more awesome, personal and expansive than any one metaphor or image can suggest and that the diversity of the people of God, made in God's image, be acknowledged and embraced in such a way that all may feel and be included. Inclusive language is needed because words, and the images they invoke, have the power to shape our beliefs, attitudes and assumptions about ourselves, about others and about God.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has taken steps since the 1960's to show its commitment to the use of inclusive language. Get resources and actions of the PC(USA) related to the use of inclusive language.

How we talk about the Trinity also is a part of our discussion and commitment to the use of inclusive language. Read a presentation by Dr.
Aurelia T. Fule, retired associate for Faith and Order, Theology and Worship Ministry Unit from 1988-1993.

The General Assembly will receive a report, The Trinity: God's Love Overflowing, on the doctrine of the Trinity in Presbyterian theology, worship and life at its meeting in June, 2006. Read a draft of the report and download an evaluation form.

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