Reform

Women's Ministry

The articles and booklets listed have been written by Reform members or are based on talks given at a Reform conference. The views expressed are not necessarily the 'Reform position' on a particular issue. Discussion papers are written by individual members for the council of Reform and the wider church. The author alone is responsible for the paper. All the papers may be copied freely.

Click on the title of a booklet to view the full contents.

  1. Why are there Objections to Women being Bishops in the Church of England? Mark Burkill, 2007.
    This paper is in a 'question and answer' format with a helpful bibliography at the end. It is designed to help discussion in PCCs and Synods.

    Mini-version

  2. Desiring What is True or Defending Desire? Reform's Presentation to the Rochester Commission (Concerning Women in the Episcopate). Reform delegation, 2003.
    Outline:Introduction by the Reform Chairman; Scripture and Theology - Mike Ovey; Scripture and Good Practice- Carrie Sandom; Scripture and Tradition - Nigel Atkinson; Scripture, Reason and Consequence - David Banting; Summary; Appendix: The Previous Written Submission to the Rochester Commission on behalf of the Council of Reform (2001).

  3. Fellow Workers in Christ Carrie Sandom, 2002.
    As part of the investigation of the development of women's ministries within the Reform network, a questionnaire was sent out to women in ministry who are committed to male headship, looking at issues such as what their job involves, funding, training, and what they found particularly challenging.  In this paper Carrie Sandom displays and analyses the data and comes to some conclusions.

  4. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader Women, Men and Ministry John Richardson (pdf)
    This leaflet explains why passing Resolution B (affirming a PCC will not have a woman incumbent) by individual churches would be for the good of the Church as a whole.

  5. Bishops, Presbyters and Women Gerald Bray (from www.theologian.org.uk)
    An account of past and present scholarly arguments concerning the roles for bishops, presbyters and women in the Church, and some thoughts on how to preserve the unity of the Church divided over the issue of women bishops.

  6. Women in the Episcopate Mike Ovey (from www.theologian.org.uk)
    A submission to the commission exploring the theological context of the consecration of women to the episcopate, exegesis of relevant scriptural texts and outlining some arguments pertaining to justice and Reception.

  7. Dogged by the Collar? Getting women's ministry right in the Church of England Pat Lawler, Angela Pearce (Reform Discussion Paper No. 13)
    This paper was written to disprove the allegation that Reform is against the ministry of women, by exploring how this ministry could work in practice whilst remaining true to Biblical principles.  Two women involved in ministry in churches in different ways write frankly about their views and experiences in this area. 

  8. Women's Ordination. Why is this issue a crisis for the Church of England? Mark Burkill, 1993 (Reform Discussion Paper No. 2)
    This paper answers its title by posing and answering various comments made by those who would minimalise the importance of this issue.

  9. The Biblical pattern for women's ministry-- limiting or liberating? Carrie Sandom
    An article for a Reform Newspaper in which Carrie Sandom argues from her own experience as a curate that when women in ministry acknowledge male headship the result is liberating.

  10. A Review of "Women and Priesthood in the Church of England: Ten Years On" Roger Beckwith

Leaflets

  1. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader Is It Time For Women Bishops In The Church of England? Mike Smith (pdf)
    This leaflet makes a case for answering in the negative, emphasising the primary importance of Scriptural teaching touching on this issue.

  2. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader The Role of Women in the Local Church Carrie Sandom (Truth Matters)
    This leaflet outlines briefly the Bible's teaching on the role of women, particularly looking at Jesus' attitude in the Gospels and relevant passages in Paul's letters to do with the differing roles of the sexes.  Includes four difficult passages for further thought and a list of recommended reading.