A Letter: A Pastor and His Daughter

I open this letter for you. Read it and pray.

Several weeks ago I downloaded Junia is Not Alone.  As the only person on staff at a small church, I am also taking two courses so I have not had time to read it.

Until today.

Thank you.

Thank you for being willing to say what so many of us feel and just can’t say. Maybe Paul really meant what he said in Galatians 3:28.  Maybe it doesn’t have to be explained away. Maybe God really is a God of justice and grace who is seeking to redeem ALL his creation to himself.

As a minister [in a group that does not ordain women], and a father of a beautiful daughter with enormous personality, I am afraid.  I am afraid that she will grow up to believe herself to be a second class Christian.  I am afraid that she will be relegated to using her gifts to prepare communion or cook and set up for pot-lucks.

I know that I may one day leave ministry (or at least my heritage) so that my family can worship where my wife and daughter are full members of Christianity.  I don’t always agree with my heritage … but I love it. …

However, I love my wife and daughter more and I refuse to let my beautiful daughter grow up being silenced.

Thank you.  Junia is not alone.  Whatever life my daughter chooses, I pray that she will stand next to Junia and be a voice for God in a world that so desperately needs to know the love of our savior.