Divine Simplicity Focus on the things that matter…sweep aside the things that don't.

Samaritan woman and the living well

Women serving in church clergy has been a hot topic in the news of late. This is driven by the Southern Baptist Convention’s decision last month to uphold the expulsion of two member churches with female pastors—paving the way to speculation that many more could follow. The churches were Saddleback Church in southern California, and Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. The former is a megachurch, reportedly the largest church in California, that is widely known for its popular cofounder, pastor Rick Warren.  Warren authored the bestselling book The Purpose Driven Life.  Fern Creek Baptist Church has been led by Rev. Linda Barnes Popham for 30 years.

Galatians 3:27-28  …for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

My aim in writing this piece is not to argue for or against women in the clergy.  I will, however, note that women have historically been an important part of the Christian church from its beginning and they remain so today. 

The Gospels and book of Acts identify many women who were actively involved in the Lord’s ministry.   At the time of Jesus earthly ministry, the Jews regarded a disciple as one who followed the teachings and lifestyle of a particular Jewish rabbi (teacher). Listed below are some notable women followers of Christ.  I believe all can accurately be described as Christ’s disciples.

• Mary Magdalene, or Mary of Magdala as she is sometimes called, is one of the most prominent female disciples of Jesus. She is mentioned as being present during Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection. She is the first person to witness the risen Jesus and was commanded by Him to tell Jesus’ apostles, His innermost circle of disciples, about Jesus’ resurrection (John 20:1-18). Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all four Gospels (Matthew 27:56, 61; 28:1; Mark 15:40, 47; 16:1-11; Luke 8:2; 24:10; John 19:25; 20:1-18).
• Mary, the mother of Jesus: Although not specifically referred to as a disciple, Jesus’ mother, played a significant role in His life and ministry. She is present at various moments in the Gospels, including the wedding at Cana (John 2:1-12) and at the crucifixion (John 19:25-27).
• Samaritan woman by the well – (John 4:1-42). As told in the Gospel of John, Jesus, on a journey through Samaria, stops at a well where he meets a Samaritan woman drawing water. Despite cultural and religious differences, He has a conversation with her, violating Jewish social norms, and revealing His total knowledge of her life. He offers her living water, a metaphor for salvation and eternal life. She recognized Jesus as the Messiah and might even be described as an early evangelist. John 4:30 says, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony.”
• Joanna: Joanna is mentioned in Luke 8:1-3 as a woman who accompanied Jesus and the 12 Apostles, providing financial support for their ministry. She is described as the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager.
• Susanna: Susanna is mentioned along with Joanna in Luke 8:1-3 as one of the women who supported Jesus and the disciples in their ministry. However, little else is known about her.
• Salome: Salome is mentioned in Mark 15:40 as one of the women who witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion. She is also mentioned as being present during Jesus’ burial and is among the women who discovered the empty tomb (Mark 16:1).
• Martha and Mary: Martha and Mary are sisters mentioned in Luke 10:38-42 and John 11:1-44. They, along with their brother Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead, were close friends of Jesus; He frequented their home in Bethany. Martha is depicted as a diligent worker busy with serving others, while Mary is seen as a devoted listener to Jesus’ teachings.
• Tabitha (also known by her Greek name Dorcas):  Tabitha lived in the town of Joppa by the sea. She is described as a faithful disciple of Jesus who went around doing good and helping the poor.   The Apostle Peter raised Tabitha from the dead after she suddenly fell ill and died (Acts 9: 36-42).

These are just a few examples of women who can rightly be called disciples of Jesus. Their roles varied, but they were actively involved in Jesus’ ministry and played important roles in helping spread the Gospel.

Looking at the roles played by the women above led me reflect on and give thanks for several key women in my family who significantly shaped my personal Christian formation. I was born in the Appalachian Mountains of southeastern Kentucky. My father and most of my uncles were World War II veterans. For the most part, mountain men worked while women stayed home to raise kids and manage the household. It was a maternally-centered culture. All the ladies below played instrumental roles in raising me.

Granny Myrtle: my maternal grandmother was born in 1900 in southwestern Virginia, near the town of Rose Hill. She had an 8^th grade education which was typical for the time and place she was born. A Southern Baptist, Granny was a Bible scholar and memorized hundreds of Bible passages. She read me Bible stories at bedtime and taught me to pray. She cared for me in her home during school summer recess. She loved to witness for Christ and helped lead many people to accept Jesus as their personal savior, including me.

Mother Phyllis: my mother was born in Wallins Creek, Kentucky, a small town deep in the Appalachian Mountains. Her family lived in a large beautiful log home by a creek. She and my father Jack divorced when I was six years old. Following the divorce, mom worked as a nurse’s aide and put herself through night classes at the University of Louisville, eventually earning certification as a medical technician and landing a good job in the Veterans Administration medical system. She taught me the importance of worshipping regularly and ensured that I attended Sunday school, worship services on Sunday mornings and evenings, prayer meetings on Wednesday evenings, and Vacation Bible School in the summer. She lived a life of selfless sacrifice, ensuring our basic needs for food, clothing and shelter were always met, no matter how hard she had to work.   

Aunt Sarah: my mother’s sister Aunt Sarah was always there for me, along with her husband, Uncle Carl. Their home was a second home to me and a place of refuge at times when my working mother wasn’t available to solve my “crisis du jour.” Aunt Sarah had three miscarriages and was never able to have children of her own, but she mothered me continually.  She took me to church and told me Bible stories. She gifted me a plane ride on my 8^th birthday—it was my first. Aunt Sarah suffered from multiple sclerosis for over 60 years, but I never heard her complain about it. She taught me love of family.

Aunt Betty: my mother’s sister, Aunt Betty lived in a small town in northern Alabama together with Uncle John and my cousins John III, David, and Philip. Philip and I were only a year apart in age. We fished, swam, biked, and played games together. Over a period of about six years, I visited every summer, staying 2-4 weeks. Having me there during school summer recess was a great help to my divorced, working mother. Aunt Betty was a stern but loving disciplinarian who ran a tight ship. She made sure the family went to church on Sundays. She taught us cousins to make our beds, dust our rooms, clean our shoes, clear dishes from the dinner table. Moreover, she taught us self-discipline, something that was invaluable during my military career.  

Wife Linda: Linda and I met in college in Munich, Germany, exactly 50 years ago next month. I was just shy of my 18^th birthday.   We’ve been together ever since. She never ceases to amaze me. Throughout my 24-year military career, she was my strong right arm and remains so today. Linda is a powerful example of faith and peace in the midst of spiritual storms. She is a fountain of generosity and has a servant’s heart. She is blessed with an abundance of common sense and the gift of discernment. I thank God for bringing us together. (Proverbs 31:10-31)

All these women had several traits in common, including a love of God, a daily walk with Jesus, and an unconditional, steadfast love for me. By the grace of God, the man I am today is due, in large part, to the love, teaching, and care I received from these steadfast disciples of Christ. I couldn’t have made it this far without them.

“…nor is there male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Note: I used ChatGPT AI to research some of the Bible passages mentioned in this piece. I typically use BibleGateway. The AI was much faster, but I can’t vouch for its accuracy.