Class tonight

Our class tonight was good, but controversial. We discussed the sacrament of holy orders, or ordination. Our position is that the Scriptures teach that men should be bishops and priests/presbyters, and that men and women may serve as deacons. We note the example of Phoebe as a deacon in Romans 16. We note that the teaching of the Church Fathers and the councils affirm that the apostolic teaching and the consensus of the early church was for men bishops and priests. We also note that the ancient Celtic Church ordained women deacons, and that the Church has had, throughout its history, women abbots, or abbesses, or prioresses, and prophetesses. We see that Scripture has examples of women judges, prophetesses, and the apostle Paul noted women praying in church, a practice that would not have been accepted in his day. We agree that women may teach and pastor, while not holding the offices of priest or deacon. We also noted that women were the first to believe and to witness to the resurrection of our Lord. And we affirmed the teaching of the apostle Peter of the priesthood of all believers.

Next week we will discuss the hot topic if stem cell research and the Biblical position. Soon we will have a "teaching mass" that will double as a practicum for me. You are welcome, if you're in the area.



br. francis