Accepting a call to ministry can be tough. For women in particular, this call can be especially confusing, as they will likely face opposition.
“As a woman who is entering the world of ministry, I never questioned my calling until I was confronted with the reality of differing beliefs of women in the Christian community,” said Asbury junior Hannah Springer. “I dug for answers and many times I came up feeling defeated and confused.”
However, Springer was able to find support amidst this difficulty.
“I was comforted by a number of my peers at Asbury who also struggled with their beliefs but were interested in the conversation,” said Springer.
With a shared interest of women in ministry, Springer and her friends decided to found a club. The Biblical Gender Equality Club (BGEC) was created as a place to support women in ministry and to invite others into the conversation.
“The club began to be my platform to start a conversation that was educational and respectful. I felt pure joy in the ability to unite a body of believers in such a controversial topic as we empowered our sisters going into ministry, while also living in the gray of theological unknowns,” said Springer.
The vision for the BGEC is for it to be a space where students can gather to have respectful, informative discussions. It is open to everyone, regardless of gender or beliefs, as a space to learn from each other. According to the club’s charter, the BGEC “will provide educational and respectful means to facilitate and maintain insightful conversations regarding equality among men and women in the Christian community.” The conversation will address all aspects of Christian life, from women in ministry to home and family life.
“This vision will unfold as the leadership board finds ways to engage all members in a discussion of the specific topic during our member meetings. We will then transpire this conversation to an all-campus event that we plan as members to invite every Asbury student into the conversation,” said Springer.
The BGEC will meet once a month, along with hosting events. Meetings and events are free and open to anyone in the Asbury community. The club is just getting started, with the first member meeting taking place on November 11.
“I am looking most forward to empowering both men and women as we learn how God uses and equips both of us. I am so excited to invite the Holy Spirit into the conversation and watch Him work when I am inadequate to facilitate these conversations,” said Springer. “I am also very excited to watch students find their personal understanding while continuing in their community and fellowship with everyone around them. I pray to see Asbury as a university become a more loving and grace-filled place for women going into ministry, allowing them to find a home and safety in their calling.”
