In my early twenties, I was listening to a famous female preacher on Christian radio.  The Holy Spirit used her to speak directly to my heart during a time of  tremendous pain. I’m now amused by the fact that I thought I was listening to a man for the longest time because she had a deep voice.  I guess I always missed the beginning of the broadcast when her name was mentioned.  Imagine my surprise when I found out that her name was Joyce Meyer, I was shocked and confused.  I started wondering how God spoke to me through her since she was a “woman preacher.”   I then joined numerous bible studies by Kay Arthur and participated in Beth Moore bible studies for many years.  I was growing like crazy, and I had a God given passion for sharing the gospel.  That desire had to come from God, because I was a very shy and insecure girl.  Surely, I could not ever stand up in front of someone and speak!

At this time, God began opening all the doors for me to go to Grace Ministries International for training in pastoral lay counseling. I was thriving and loving it.  After my internship I was invited to join their staff. I was counseling, training and teaching conferences.  I was getting comfortable in my calling, sort of. However, I had a dilemma.  At my church I felt the need to be careful to not bring too much attention to myself. Tim and I taught a young married Sunday school class and, I made sure Tim stood and I sat next to him at a table. He taught 30 minutes and I’d teach a shorter time. Even with my careful tendencies the deacons had a meeting about me teaching a class with “men” in it. (Side note: By the way, how is teaching a man that voluntarily sat in my class, usurping my authority over him?)

As I thrived in ministry I initiated a conversation about the possibility of commissioning me into ministry. I didn’t realize that was taboo too.  I’d sat through many services seeing others (men or missionary couples) get commissioned. I would NEVER ask about ordination.  That went against my deeply ingrained rules.  The leader that I asked about commissioning knew me well, and he had seen how God was developing me as a leader.  He walked beside me through much of my spiritual growth.  His response to me surprised me, “Well, you know Rebekah people have to prove themselves before getting commissioned.”  I looked at him with deep confusion and said, “I haven’t proven my passionate heart toward God enough?”  He had embarrassment written on his face. I’ll never forget hearing in my mind the words, “Rebekah, I have commissioned you.”

Fast forward a few years and I was approached by my employer about getting ordained. I was horrified. Women in my family just does not do that!  Talk about getting rejected and shunned and worst of all, TALKED ABOUT!!!  That was a huge risk!

A couple of years later the Lord continued bringing the subject up in so many different ways.  A pastoral counselor had some protection in court regarding sharing their files if they were ordained.  I did not want to pastor a church or be seen as a preacher.  I squirmed in my seat a lot as I watched the Lord convince me that this was indeed His will for me. Some may see that as conviction that I was doing something wrong, but I know the difference in conviction and convincing.

My grandfather was a famous  pastor in GA who traveled and preached on the radio in the 60’s and 70’s. He was buried in a church cemetery near where I lived. We were surprised a few years later when we went to his grave and saw the pastor’s name on the sign.  There was a woman pastoring the church! A relative laughingly said, “Papa would roll over in his grave!”

I thought my story might be helpful for someone during this time of debate regarding women in ministry.  I’ve spoken often in conventions and bible studies and churches.  Over the years, I spoke at churches in Romania and France.  I taught lectures in Prague to a group of people who were being trained.  I also had the opportunity to be the key note speaker for groups and retreats in several places across the South East.  When I finally obeyed the leading of the Lord and allowed Midtown Church to ordain me, I never told any in my family about the service. I knew they would not understand. This church believed in us and ordained my husband and myself together. They put their stamp of approval on Royal Life Ministries. We have married several couples after taking them through pre-marital counseling. I’ve spoken at funerals.  I’ve led bible studies.  However, I feel no need to push my way into a church or denomination and demand to be recognized. A pastoral counselor is not who I am.  It is something I have been called to do.  I do not need their endorsement or approval. I’m free to be me and that is enough.

Ladies, I want to speak to you from my heart.  Let God fight your battles. You cannot convince anyone that their perspective of what God is saying in the scriptures is different, because they are not considering the context or culture.  Trust God with this issue too.  Just like you have trusted Him with everything else in your life. Only speak up as HE leads. Make sure you forgive those who have hurt you in this area and allow God to love them through you.  Give grace to those who have a limited view of God’s word and walk in your God given freedom.  Don’t be quick to judge, because it is likely that we have God in a box in other areas of our lives.  Eventually, He always breaks Himself out of those boxes for each one of us, because He is not only Almighty God…. He is THE TRUTH, THE WAY AND THE LIFE, and His mission will prevail in His way and in His timing.  I’ll say it one more time, “He is worthy of your trust.”