At a March 8 press conference in New York City, nine prominent United Methodist women issued "A Time of Hope—A Time of Threat," a statement defending the controversial "Re-Imagining" Conference. The statement claims that those who were critical of the women's gathering are "frightened by fresh theological insights and by challenges to narrow orthodoxy" and are "attempting to discredit and malign women." (The full text follows below.)
According to the statement: "Today creative theological minds explore a whole range of issues, including the biblical meaning of God's Wisdom, Sophia, (like God's Word, Logos). Similarly, in light of social experience, such as slavery and female sexual abuse, understandings of sacrifice, atonement, and martyrdom are being re-examined."
Among the prominent presenters of the statement were J. Ann Craig, executive secretary for Spiritual and Theological Development for the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM); Bishop Susan Murch Morrison of the Pittsburgh area; Jeanne Audrey Powers, associate general secretary of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (GCCUIC); Heather Murray-Elkins, assistant theological professor at Drew University; and Peggy L. Halsey, Executive Secretary, National Program Division of the GBGM.
The statement included the signatures of 800 additional women, including seminary professors, clergywomen, and missionaries. "A Time of Hope-A Time of Threat" was signed by six United Methodist bishops. The statement also included signatures from staff or board members of the GBGM, GCCUIC, the General Board of Discipleship, the Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the General Council on Ministries, the General Commission on Archives and History, the General Council on Finance and Administration, the General Board of Publication, and the General Commission on Communication.
At the press conference, Bishop Morrison said: "We are in a time of theological crisis. We have never been offered opportunities for theological dialogue, and when we do have it, it is in a win-lose style. It's time to provide an arena for discourse.
"We decided it was time to break the silence and be proactive," said the Rev. Powers, a member of the "Re-Imagining" steering committee. "It is time to speak out about what women believe."
As to the matter of "Sophia," Dr. Catherine Keller, an associate professor of theology at Drew University, said at the press conference that "feminists who are looking for a goddess are quickly disappointed in Sophia." Quoting from Bible passages, Keller characterized Sophia as an attribute of God, not a substitute. "Sophia is a metaphor, nothing less and nothing more," she explained.
"This so-called Sophia heresy is none other than their [conservatives'] creation," she claimed. "She is their Mediterranean fertility fantasy."
According to The United Methodist Reporter, Dr. Keller stated: "Many feel their power diminished by women's growing leadership in church and theology. They recognize that female imagery of the divine—even used along with male imagery-empowers women. So they are desperate to put a stop to it." It is still undecided whether the statement and signatures will be presented before the 1996 General Conference.
What follows is the full text of the document released at the New York press conference.
This is a time of hope. The partnership of women and men in the United Methodist Church is growing-in the Council of Bishops, in Annual Conferences, in local congregations, and in theological schools. Christian community and sharing of leadership are broadening across racial and ethnic lines. Globally, the voices of women are being heard, and cooperation among Christian women increases denominationally and ecumenically. In theological books, sermons, and liturgies, women are singing a new song.
But this is also a time of threat. Hostility toward outspoken, creative, and courageous women of faith is not new, but it is now more sharply focused. Public attacks on the leadership, theology, and funding of a recent conference call us to speak out. We are convinced that people frightened by fresh theological insights and by challenges to narrow orthodoxy are attempting to discredit and malign women. Constructive dialogue is welcome, but irrational and distorted attacks increase an environment of violence against women.
For years the United Methodist Church has been divided by controversy over the leadership of women, reproductive rights, inclusive language, and homosexuality. As women have addressed these issues, the clash of theological perspectives has intensified. At the heart of the conflict are diverse images of God, the meaning of a multi-racial, multicultural church, ecumenical commitment, equal participation of women, and the dynamics of control and power. What is at stake is who will name these issues, how the issues will be described, and who will set the agenda for the future of the church.
We are clear that the verbal attacks on the Re-Imagining Conference in Minneapolis (November, 1993) are not isolated. While some naysayers have rushed to judgment on the basis of hearsay, others appear to be part of an ongoing design to split and weaken the United Methodist Church:
- Criticizing The Women's Division and undermining the effectiveness of
local units of United Methodist Women are affronts to over a century of
faithful witness and missionary service.
- Refusing to acknowledge the positive relationship between sexuality and
spirituality, present in both Christian tradition and contemporary theological
writings, deprives the church of a rich and essential wholeness.
- Accusing feminist, womanist, and other women theologians, as well as our
theological schools, of departing from historic Christian faith is an attempt
to constrict the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Engaging in verbal violence against lesbians reveals the homophobia in
the church and denigrates the rich contributions that homosexual persons
have made to the church through the centuries.
- Creating a climate of witch-hunting, name-calling, and fear destroys Christian
community and erodes the church's capacity to proclaim the gospel of Jesus
Christ.
We have to ask how it is that so much time, energy, and money can be put into these invectives instead of into mission and ministry.
The use of the term, "heresy," in our time, may be a way of refusing to hear the voices of those who have been marginalized in the life of the church. Today creative theological minds explore a whole range of issues, including the biblical meaning of God's Wisdom, Sophia, (like God's Word, Logos). Similarly, in light of social experience, such as slavery and female sexual abuse, understandings of sacrifice, atonement, and martyrdom are being reexamined.
The scriptural promise of the Holy Spirit creates the space and the inspiration for new faith experience and fresh theological insights in every era. We stand strongly in the United Methodist tradition which honors theological diversity and encourages openness to emerging theological initiatives. We believe that God needs no defense, and that God's children of all backgrounds are called to be true to their own experiences and to articulate their faith, faithfully.
Today's "reformation" holds the potential for life-giving renewal in the United Methodist Church and in the hearts and lives of women and men alike. We, the undersigned women, loyal and committed to the United Methodist Church, call on all sisters and brothers to join us in celebrating and living into this movement of the Holy Spirit.
Bishops: Sharon Brown Christopher, Minnesota area; Judith Craig,
Ohio West area; Leontine T.C. Kelly (retired), California; Susan Murch Morrison,
Philadelphia area; Sharon Rader, Wisconsin area; Mary Ann Swenson, Denver
area
General Board of Global Ministries: Joyce Alford, board of directors;
Inelle Bagwell, board of directors; Linda Bales, board of directors; Kathleen
Clark, executive secretary, National Program Division; J. Ann Craig, executive
secretary, Women's Division; Helen Earl, board of directors; Rae Fixico,
board of directors; Joyce Hill, executive secretary, World Program Division;
Cathie Lyons, associate general secretary, Health and Welfare Program Department;
Diane Quade, board of directors; Kathy Reeves, executive secretary, Health
and Welfare Program Department; Wilma Roberts, assistant general secretary,
World Program Division; Joyce Robinson, board of directors; Susan Smalley,
board of directors; Janet R. Wreath, board of directors;
General Board of Discipleship: Barbara Bate, Preaching Ministries
Director, Section on Worship; Hilda R. Davis, Division of Church School
Publications, Editor of Children’s Church Times, Invitation;
Beth Richardson, assistant editor, Alive Now!, Division of the Upper
Room; Phyllis Tyler-Wayman, Director, Section on Covenant Discipleship;
Commission on the Status and Role of Women: Ellen Carter, board of
directors; Sally Ernst, Monitoring /Research Chairperson; Barbara Gurtler,
board of directors; Stephanie Anna Hixon, co-general secretariat; Cecelia
Long, co-general secretariat; Lois Seifert, board of directors; Virginia
Tarver, board of directors;
General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns: Judith
Crain, board of directors; Ruth A. Daugherty, board of directors; Rosemary
Keller, board of directors; Anne Marshall, associate general secretary;
Jeanne Audrey Powers, associate general secretary; Elaine Stanovsky, board
of directors; Mary Kay Totty-Kublawi, board of directors;
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry: Angella Current,
associate general secretary, Office of Loans and Scholarship; Caroline B.
Edge, board of directors; Morrison Marilynn Mabee Huntington, board of directors;
Lynn Scott, director, Support Systems and Spiritual Formation, Division
of Ordained Ministry; Judith Smith, associate general secretary, Office
of lnterpretation;
General Council on Ministries: Kathi Austin Mahle, board of directors;
Betty Gordon, board of directors; Nancy Yatnasaki, board of directors; Kelly
General Commission on Archives and History: Michelle Grube, board
of directors; Jean Miller Schmidt, board of directors;
General Council on Finance and Administration: Ellen Brubaker, chair,
Financial Services Committee;
General Board of Publication: Ellen H. Casey, board of directors;
Beverly J. Shamana, board of directors;
General Commission on Communication: Peggy J. West, associate general
secretary, Division of Production and Distribution.