This Week in Christian History: Pope Draws Imperial Borders; Methodists Ordain Women; Scopes Arrested

By Michael Gryboski, Editor
Sunday, April 29, 2018

Methodist Church Approves Female Ordination - May 4, 1956

CrossRoads United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Arizona is seen here in a Feb. 13, 2010 photo. | (Photo: AP Images/Matt York)

This week marks the anniversary of when the Methodist Church approved the full ordination of women at their General Conference, held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

While women had acted in church leadership roles within the Methodist movement since the days of founder John Wesley, there had yet to be an official denomination endorsement of female ordination.

During the hours-long debate, compromise proposals such as allowing only non-married women to be ordained were entertained but ultimately rejected.

Eventually a motion by Dr. Zack Johnson was entertained and approved. Maud Pauline Keister Jensen became the first woman to be fully ordained as a clergywoman in the Methodist Church.

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