June 26, 2000
Hawkins supports committee's work
___ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)--Southern Baptists' view of women has been misunderstood, a Texas woman serving on the Baptist Faith & Message study committee said during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.
___Suzy Hawkins, a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and wife of Annuity Board President O.S. Hawkins, said in a Baptist Press interview she objects to misrepresentations of her committee's work, specifically perceptions that the revised faith statement says women can't serve in ministry.
___"No one has ever said those words except the people who question what we're doing," she said. "Jesus never said that as far as ministering and using your gifts.
___"But there are some very specific guidelines in the Bible about the role of pastor--his marriage, character and conduct. It is a noble task, and the fact that he is to be a male is just one of those guidelines."
___That limitation applies only to a local church pastor, Hawkins said. "It isn't a reference to service in other church staff positions, schools, para-church organizations or other institutions where women certainly can minister.
___"Our opponents have generalized this to mean something no one has ever said. If a woman--genuinely, with all her heart--desires to serve God and use her gifts, he's going to show her a place to do it. If her heart's desire is a position or office, that's a different matter."
___Still, one of the greatest blessings of living in the current time is the number of ministry opportunities available to women, Hawkins said.
___"In the past, those opportunities were very limited. One thing I've always tried to emphasize to my girls is to find what God wants you to do and, if he wants you to do that, it will fit his plan and his parameters. He will lead you where he wants you to be."
___Hawkins said she has encouraged her daughters, ages 25 and 23, to develop their own interests and careers, but she also hopes they will marry and have lots of children.
___"They have a very valuable contribution to make to society and the church," Hawkins said.
___Hawkins said she and the one other female member of the study committee felt like they were heard by their male counterparts on the committee. The men expressed "a genuine interest in what we thought," especially in regard to the issue of women serving as pastors, she said.
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