Women in Leadership Committee
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
[1 Peter 3:8, ESV]
[1 Peter 3:8, ESV]
Podcasts & Resources Worth Checking Out:
Sunday Announcement Video [August 4, 2024]
Explanation of the Conversation/ Committee from Pastor Jon
Women in Leadership Committee: Goals, Description, Dates, Details
WHERE WE'VE BEEN
Since we were planted in 2003, Seaside Church has been complementarian. Acts 29, the church planting network we belong to, defines complementarianism as “the equality of men and women and the principle of male servant leadership” and specifically requires that all member churches have only male elders and preachers.
Practically, our view has led to an emphasis on men in leadership positions. Seaside has always had only male elders, preachers, and “pastors.” Over the years, there has been an increase in women serving in leadership roles (staff, Community Group leaders, worship, operations, classes, etc.). Throughout all of this, our view has not been formally clarified, taught, or defended; instead, it has been implied that is how the Bible says it should be.
Many at Seaside have differing views regarding women in church leadership. Some have been taught elsewhere or have, on their own, sought to understand and define their views, while others understand little about the key arguments on one side or the other.
In 2022, after hearing concerns from several church leaders about the lack of clarity around women in leadership roles, the elders began studying this topic by reading “Two Views on Women in Ministry.” After reading, discussing, and hearing from a few women leaders, it was apparent that more work needed to be done to define and clarify where Seaside stands going forward. In late 2022, Seaside’s elders decided that it was contradictory to allow non-elder men to preach while not allowing non-elder women to preach, and the decision was made that only elders would preach at Seaside until we have more clearly defined our position moving forward. As these discussions started, Pastor Rob also announced his departure, and these discussions were put aside for the more urgent task of finding the next lead pastor and leading our church through the transition. After installing Pastor Jon as our new Lead Pastor this past January, Seaside’s elders formalized plans to reenter into this discussion about women serving in leadership roles at Seaside. Not wanting to do this in isolation, the elders believe the best approach to answering these questions is establishing a committee of men and women who will work through this conversation and determine a way forward for Seaside.
SCOPE OF THE CONVERSATION
We understand this is a theologically and culturally complex topic that has led to much strife and division in the church. We, therefore, must walk together “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:2–3) We will do this with our Bibles open (submitting to the authority of God’s word) as we courageously trust the Spirit to lead us forward.
COMMITTEE DETAILS
The committee consists of leaders of good character and standing at Seaside. It includes five women and five men representing various ages/life stages/ perspectives. Committee members must be willing to listen, learn, and work together towards answers that help Seaside move forward in a healthy, Bible-centered, Spirit-filled way.
The goal of this committee is to come to a consensus together regarding the questions raised above (not take a vote where the simple majority wins).
The committee will provide regular progress updates to the church via church-family meetings.
The committee will start with a 6-8 month listening period through prayer, learning, discussion, and information gathering [Starting July 2024]. We will do this with our Bibles open, reading books on the topic, and hearing from Seasiders and other trusted leaders on why they believe what they believe. After this, the committee will discuss and ultimately determine the best way forward for Seaside.
Committee Members are Cassia Burke, Courtney Swoboda, Dave Rasmussen, Jason Brandt, John Kiess, Jon Kroeker, Katie Dougherty, Kyle Burke, Linda Culton, and Liz Johnson.
WHAT THIS IS NOT
IMPORTANT DATES
OTHER NOTES
DRAFT COMMITTEE ROADMAP
Meet 2x/ month to pray, listen, learn, and discuss the best way forward.
Since we were planted in 2003, Seaside Church has been complementarian. Acts 29, the church planting network we belong to, defines complementarianism as “the equality of men and women and the principle of male servant leadership” and specifically requires that all member churches have only male elders and preachers.
Practically, our view has led to an emphasis on men in leadership positions. Seaside has always had only male elders, preachers, and “pastors.” Over the years, there has been an increase in women serving in leadership roles (staff, Community Group leaders, worship, operations, classes, etc.). Throughout all of this, our view has not been formally clarified, taught, or defended; instead, it has been implied that is how the Bible says it should be.
Many at Seaside have differing views regarding women in church leadership. Some have been taught elsewhere or have, on their own, sought to understand and define their views, while others understand little about the key arguments on one side or the other.
In 2022, after hearing concerns from several church leaders about the lack of clarity around women in leadership roles, the elders began studying this topic by reading “Two Views on Women in Ministry.” After reading, discussing, and hearing from a few women leaders, it was apparent that more work needed to be done to define and clarify where Seaside stands going forward. In late 2022, Seaside’s elders decided that it was contradictory to allow non-elder men to preach while not allowing non-elder women to preach, and the decision was made that only elders would preach at Seaside until we have more clearly defined our position moving forward. As these discussions started, Pastor Rob also announced his departure, and these discussions were put aside for the more urgent task of finding the next lead pastor and leading our church through the transition. After installing Pastor Jon as our new Lead Pastor this past January, Seaside’s elders formalized plans to reenter into this discussion about women serving in leadership roles at Seaside. Not wanting to do this in isolation, the elders believe the best approach to answering these questions is establishing a committee of men and women who will work through this conversation and determine a way forward for Seaside.
SCOPE OF THE CONVERSATION
We understand this is a theologically and culturally complex topic that has led to much strife and division in the church. We, therefore, must walk together “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4:2–3) We will do this with our Bibles open (submitting to the authority of God’s word) as we courageously trust the Spirit to lead us forward.
- We want to consider what it looks like to be the healthy/ growing church that God wants us to be, where men and women flourish in and contribute to the life of our church.
- We want to understand the biblical arguments for/ against women serving as leaders in the church, including how this informs women serving as elders, pastors, preachers, and teachers at Seaside.
- We want to specifically answer the following questions for Seaside:
- Identify any other areas of future development related to this topic.
COMMITTEE DETAILS
The committee consists of leaders of good character and standing at Seaside. It includes five women and five men representing various ages/life stages/ perspectives. Committee members must be willing to listen, learn, and work together towards answers that help Seaside move forward in a healthy, Bible-centered, Spirit-filled way.
The goal of this committee is to come to a consensus together regarding the questions raised above (not take a vote where the simple majority wins).
The committee will provide regular progress updates to the church via church-family meetings.
The committee will start with a 6-8 month listening period through prayer, learning, discussion, and information gathering [Starting July 2024]. We will do this with our Bibles open, reading books on the topic, and hearing from Seasiders and other trusted leaders on why they believe what they believe. After this, the committee will discuss and ultimately determine the best way forward for Seaside.
Committee Members are Cassia Burke, Courtney Swoboda, Dave Rasmussen, Jason Brandt, John Kiess, Jon Kroeker, Katie Dougherty, Kyle Burke, Linda Culton, and Liz Johnson.
WHAT THIS IS NOT
- This is not a fake process with a predetermined answer. We enter this conversation with open Bibles and minds, seeking unity and the Lord’s direction for our church.
- This committee is not focused on men and women in household roles/ marriages.
- This conversation is not a slippery slope to other discussions about gender fluidity or a more open sexuality. In recent years, we’ve worked with key leaders at Seaside to clarify what we believe, we’ve preached on gender/ sexuality when it comes up in the Biblical text (Genesis, Ephesians), and we’ve clarified and updated our doctrinal statement. We will continue to teach a historical, biblical view of sexuality rooted in creation and sexual relations between one man and one woman in the context of marriage.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Sunday, August 4: Share about this conversation/ process and introduce the committee during the Sunday gatherings
- Sunday, August 11 from 1-3p: Committee office hours. Several committee members will be available at Seaside to hear thoughts, perspectives, questions, frustrations, etc., related to this conversation.
OTHER NOTES
- Follow-up: Committee members will be available throughout August to meet with Seasiders who have questions or concerns or want their beliefs, perspectives, and experiences to be heard. Seasiders can request a meeting by emailing: liz@seasidechurch.com
- Acts 29: Complementarianism is one of Acts 29’s core theological values. In practice, Acts 29 requires network churches to appoint only men to serve as elders and preachers (no definition given around “pastors”). We enter into this conversation understanding that if we decide to allow women to preach and/ or become elders, we cannot continue as an Acts 29 member church. Should that happen, Seaside’s elders would lead a process of identifying what it looks like to intentionally partner with other churches through a different network or denomination.
- Seaside’s elders are committed to walking as slowly as necessary through this conversation, including helping Seasiders process and navigate this topic. The elders (and committee members) are available to meet at any time. Email Pastor Jon to set up a meeting with the elders.
DRAFT COMMITTEE ROADMAP
Meet 2x/ month to pray, listen, learn, and discuss the best way forward.
- Month 1: PLAN/ PRAY/ PREPARE (July)
- Prayer: Pray for the Lord’s leadership and direction in this process. Pray for unity in our team and the church.
- Read Intro- Chapter 3 (Part 1: Gender in Evangelical History) of “Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective” by Michelle Lee Barnwell
- Month 2: LISTEN/ DISCUSS (August)
- Pray for Seaside as we enter into this conversation
- Listen to Seasiders: Share the plan for this conversation with Seasiders and be available to meet with them to hear their thoughts, questions, and concerns related to this topic.
- Continue reading and discussing “Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective” by Michelle Lee Barnwell.
- Chart out a plan for learning and discussion from September- November. This plan will include identifying, reading, and discussing critical Biblical texts related to this topic. It may also include reading books and inviting knowledgeable, trusted leaders to share why they believe what they believe.
- Month 3: LEARN/ DISCUSS (September)
- Month 4: LEARN/ DISCUSS (October)
- Month 5: LEARN/ DISCUSS (November)
- Month 6: LEARN/ DISCUSS (January)
- February- ?: DISCUSS/ DECIDE
FOOTNOTES
1. This will be a uniquely challenging question to answer because the term “pastor,” as an office in the church, is not clearly defined in the Bible. Seaside has
defined “Pastor” as an elder who serves in a paid staff role (accordingly, only men have been pastors at Seaside). The committee will consider biblical,
historical, and cultural understandings of the office of “Pastor” and determine a way forward regarding women in that role. Seaside’s elders will
ultimately be responsible for adopting/ clarifying any changes we make to our church’s understanding of the office of “pastor.”
2. Currently, Seaside Church elders are the only ones who preach on Sunday mornings. The committee will consider the biblical, historical, and cultural arguments for and against women preaching (elder or not) and determine a way forward for Seaside. Seaside’s elders will then decide whether to keep our current model of requiring preachers to be elders or not, which will include clarification on the boundaries and requirements for preachers at Seaside Church.
3. Similar to the challenge of understanding the office of “pastor” in our contemporary context from using the term in Scripture, the term “elder” in the New Testament focuses primarily on spiritual maturity and moral character rather than a list of responsibilities. We recognize that churches throughout history and between denominations and traditions have worked out the biblical concept of “elder” and “overseer” in various ways. At Seaside, our elders oversee our church with prayer, vision, teaching, pastoral care, and administration.
1. This will be a uniquely challenging question to answer because the term “pastor,” as an office in the church, is not clearly defined in the Bible. Seaside has
defined “Pastor” as an elder who serves in a paid staff role (accordingly, only men have been pastors at Seaside). The committee will consider biblical,
historical, and cultural understandings of the office of “Pastor” and determine a way forward regarding women in that role. Seaside’s elders will
ultimately be responsible for adopting/ clarifying any changes we make to our church’s understanding of the office of “pastor.”
2. Currently, Seaside Church elders are the only ones who preach on Sunday mornings. The committee will consider the biblical, historical, and cultural arguments for and against women preaching (elder or not) and determine a way forward for Seaside. Seaside’s elders will then decide whether to keep our current model of requiring preachers to be elders or not, which will include clarification on the boundaries and requirements for preachers at Seaside Church.
3. Similar to the challenge of understanding the office of “pastor” in our contemporary context from using the term in Scripture, the term “elder” in the New Testament focuses primarily on spiritual maturity and moral character rather than a list of responsibilities. We recognize that churches throughout history and between denominations and traditions have worked out the biblical concept of “elder” and “overseer” in various ways. At Seaside, our elders oversee our church with prayer, vision, teaching, pastoral care, and administration.