THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Katharine Doob Sakenfeld, one of my teachers at Princeton, shared this story with me. It resonates with Sunday's Gospel Reading.

Now there were seven brothers who were all pastors. The first served as Administrative Pastor in a big church. A woman pastor served as Associate Pastor. The first brother died so the church appointed the second brother as Administrative Pastor. The woman remained Associate Pastor. The second brother died so the church appointed the third brother to take over. The woman remained Associate Pastor. The third brother died as well, and so in the same manner, all the brothers died. All were appointed Administrative Pastor. And the woman remained Associate Pastor. 

Finally, the woman also died. In the resurrection, which brother will she work with as Associate Pastor? 

Our faith communities affirm that everyone is created in God's image. We believe in the priesthood of all who believe. We declare that in Christ there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female.

Yet women, in so many situations, remain subordinate to--or worse--property of men. They cannot be ordained in many denominations. Their salaries are 80% of men's, if not lower. And they are harassed in places and spaces that are supposed to be safe. 

Friends, you and I as followers of The Way, need to work harder to make sure that our faith affirmations become realities for women, children, and the most vulnerable among us. 

*Image from Shedarts Store, San Jose, CA.