Christian Women in Leadership

Anaheim Vineyard

While I was in Southern CA, my friend who was hosting me at Capistrano asked if I wanted to attend the Sunday night service at the Anaheim Vineyard. I said "yes," despite having arrived from Chicago that day, AND not having any sleep the night before. "Are you sure you'll be up for it?" she asked. "Yes," I said, "With coffee, all things are possible." I was planning to take a nap in the afternoon before leaving, plus I did not want to disappoint my friend, who seemed really excited about going that night.

Okay, I was going to entitle this, "Anaheim Vineyard; a.k.a Julia in a bad mood," because my first impression of the church was upsetting. As I stood waiting for my friend as she ran to the bathroom, I encountered a wall with all of the current pastors pictures on it. I stood and counted--there was eleven pictures and only one, I repeat, ONE woman pastor of the eleven. All the rest were men. So, that makes ten male pastors and only one woman. What the...?

I was stunned, in a church that size, only one woman pastor full-time. Is the male:female ratio of the congregation 10 males to 1 female? (side note: if it was 10 males to 1 female, I think I should move to Anaheim about now) But I was there, I'm sure it was about fifty-fifty. Upsetting, upsetting, upsetting; even in med school, it's fifty-fifty now.

Where are the positive role s for women?

moving along: even though Jen and I were late, we still were there in time for worship. My heart was touched by two things; first, a young man who was helping to lead worship. He was probably in the 16-20 age range. It just touched my heart to see him sincerely pouring his heart out to the Lord as he was leading worship; I could discern that he was truely into it. My eyes have not seen such a young person's heart be so into leading worship like that for a while! Secondly, another young person, this time a female named Dolores, who came up to Jen and I to say "hello" during the meet and greet section of the service. I was just impressed by her enthusiasm, and all her young leaderishness.

Secondly, right after the worship, a man gave a prophecy. I wasn't really expecting it, but it totally applied to my life for things that have been going on since I was eighteen years old (I'm sure it applied to many people, God's efficient like that). If I wasn't with my friend, Jen, (since I didn't know how charismatic she was and I didn't want to scare her) and if I had been more awake, I probably would have laid on the floor and cried. Instead, I just raised my hand as in worship. I keep thinking about this prophecy since I returned from my trip.

The message was okay; it was about revival in the country of Wales. I probably would have enjoyed if I had more sleep the night before. After the service, we talked to some people from Ecuador. Also, I talked to Andy Comiski during the "meet and great" section. He went to get his son, dragged him out of his seat a couple rows in front of us, just to introduce him to us since we went to Wheaton--all of that effort, I was flattered. (I actually didn't know it was Andy Comiski until we were driving home, because I thought it was just some person that my friend knew. Even though he came to Evanston to give a message one Sunday, I wasn't there that day, so I did not know who he was. )

posted by the princess @ 1/10/2005 07:00:00 PM