One of the country’s most conservative church communities faces a showdown over its apparent failure to grant equal rights to women.
The Reformed Churches in South Africa kicked off a 10-day synod in Potchefstroom, North West, where representatives are meeting to vote on the controversial issue of whether women may be ordained as deacons, priests or elders.
The issue of women’s positions has been raised at previous synods. In 1985 the church granted women the right to vote. But in 1988 it turned down the ordination of women because the church had not established biblical grounds for the practice.
Women studying theology at the University of Potchefstroom and academics have since then conducted research to put the issue back on the agenda.
Fika van Rensburg, director of the school for Biblical Studies and Bible Languages at Potchefstroom, leads the school of thought that calls for the inclusion of women.
He has produced a video of testimonies by 12 women who say they have received the calling from God and wish to be ordained.
The synod could not view the video on Tuesday because the session had run past its allotted time, but it was shown later that evening.
”These women testified how committed they are to the church despite not being ordained. They share all its doctrines and this is the church they love,” he says.
Van Rensburg says the video gave members of the synod an opportunity to hear what these women have experienced and for them to put forward arguments in favour of being accepted as equals in the church. ”These women have experienced pain and suffering, but they are fully committed to this church.”
Van Rensburg says the synod agrees on the scriptures, but needs to look at what the scriptures say for today’s society. ”Circumstances have changed, so we need to decide if those restrictions on women should be for eternity.”
Delegates say the matter must be settled once and for all at this synod. The Reverend Hennie van Wyk is reported to have said that the decision will be based on a thorough engagement in Bible studies to seek guidance from the word of God.
But Van Rensburg says that the synod needs to look at whether the scriptures were misinterpreted in light of the circumstances of women today. ”It dishonours the Lord if the church discriminates against women,” he says.
He says he upholds the authority of the Bible and the principles of the Reformed Church, but he is convinced that discrimination on the grounds of gender is unbiblical.
”The gift or calling that is granted by the Holy Spirit is regardless of gender.”
He concedes that sections of the scriptures do seem to place restrictions on female believers. ”[The Bible] says women must veil themselves when in church. This is no longer applicable.”
He says the church needs to look at interpreting the scriptures for women today. ”There is a discrepancy between church life and society.” He says these women hold professional positions but in church are not given the same equality.
Van Rensburg and the group portrayed in the video say they will continue their campaign until they feel the church no longer discriminates against women.