WASHINGTON – The Rev. Sharon Watkins, pastor of a Protestant denomination with about 700,000 members in the United States and Canada, will deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service that caps the inauguration activities of Barack Obama.
Watkins will be the first woman to give the sermon at the traditional event, to be held Jan. 21 at the National Cathedral in Washington.
In a statement from the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Watkins called her selection an honor. "I hope that my message will call us to believe in something bigger than ourselves and remind us to reach out to all of our neighbors to build communities of possibility," she said.
Watkins is the president and general minister of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, the first woman to hold that job.
The church says its work is "influenced by its founding ideals of our unity in Christ with openness and diversity in practice and belief."
The National Prayer Service will include prayers, readings and hymns delivered by religious leaders of a variety of faiths.
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As a Christian, we need to grow. When this woman stands before God and he shows all the good and bad she has done in her life, do you believe he will list her preach his word as one of her bads? Don't cast stones, we need to support the spread od the word of God, don't insult it.
Do you realize your judgemental statements are why so many people turn from Christianity? You choose to follow the Old test when convenient then jump back to the contradicting New test when you decide its more convenient. Love all, judge none. These women are preaching for God, how can you discourage that? Why would you believe God would discourage that?
I AGREE WITH ROLLN4HIM. THIS WHOLE CEREMONY SHOULD SHOW PEOPLE WHERE OBAMA STANDS. FROM WHAT I HAVE JUST READ -A GAY PRAYING AND A WOMAN PREACHING- THE US IS IN FOR A LOT OF TROUBLE AND GOD'S JUDGEMENT WILL BE HEARD LOUD THROUGHOUT THIS LAND
Please don't get me wrong. I agree that the lead pastorship duties have been given to men. My point was directed solely to those who shout READ THE BIBLE! until there is a direct command that their church doesn't follow-then the story changes a bit. "Well, but...".
So, let's follow the teaching of Augustine: "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty, and in all things, love."
forsaltnlight and msnchris70
AMEN! There is no scriptural grounds for women pastors. This article is an example of the facade going on in America that has the engine of political correctness running full steam ahead. Just waiting for the "iceberg" ahead which they can't see - God's judgment.
1 Cor 11 clearly speaks of women praying and prophesying.
My church allows only degreed males as lead pastor, but I'd refer you to Judges 4:4 also where Deborah was leading Israel.
As far as reading your Bible, I seem to recall that we have only one priest, and his name is Christ Jesus? And that you should call no man Father, because you have a Father in Heaven?
While it may be a little rudely stated, Chris is correct. Women are to have church roles that help support the church but they are not called to preach.
Women cannot be Pastors and are not called to be Pastors.
READ YOUR BIBLE.
(The National Prayer Service will include prayers, readings and hymns delivered by religious leaders of a variety of faiths.)
This should be interesting . . .