According to the Western North Carolina Conference website: "In honor of Georgia Harkness’ legacy and that of many other women theologians who have followed in her footsteps, the women of Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary carry on a tradition at commencement of wearing red shoes, as a symbol of boldness and courage." – Judy Davis, "The Power of Red." The tradition of red shoes at ordination has spread throughout United Methodist clergywomen.
I was in the first grade 70 years ago. We lived in the parsonage next door to the Methodist Church where my daddy was the preacher. But on May 4, 1956, I had no idea what a General Conference was or how it would impact my life. Nobody had ever asked, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” (And, for girls, there wasn’t much point in asking that question. That was settled anyway. We were going to be wives and mothers as our full time contribution to the world.)
My church and family heritage taught me to follow Jesus above all else. “When God calls a man to preach, he shouldn’t stoop to be a king” Daddy often said. 70 years ago today, a layman from our family hometown stood on the floor of General Conference and made the motion for full clergy rights for women right before the lunch recess. He disputed the presiding bishop’s ruling that the motion had failed (in a day where it took extra courage to challenge anything a bishop said). Z. T. Johnson then prolonged the bishop’s headache by calling for a “division of the house” standing vote—where his controversial motion prevailed. His appeal to the General Conference was “who are we to tell God who He can call?”.
The vote to open the doors for equality for women in the ministry didn’t just happen on the floor of the General Conference May 4, 1956. The Women’s Society and Wesleyan Service Guild had been laying the groundwork for years. Adding to their push was great respect for individual women like Methodism’s outstanding theologian Georgia Harkness. 70 years ago today, the formal open door was opened—marking the end to a long process appealing to the conscience of the church.
The General Conference action on May 4, 1956 was just the beginning of opening doors for women God was calling. It took a long time for many of us to recognize God’s call. Once that was clear (and it had to be crystal clear) another long, slow, hard process began for the church to validate that call. (Contrary to the experience of any male candidate, I had to fully meet the qualifications of 3 different Disciplines (1972, 1976, 1980) instead of the one I started under (which was standard practice).
After the slow motion credentialing, another road of joy and challenge: the opportunity of introducing people and churches and communities to what God could do through —gasp —a female pastor. A treasure trove of experiences fill my heart today. Some stories are profoundly touching, life-changing and powerful. Some are funny. (Actually, many of them are funny—or eventually funny). Some stories are downright hilarious. Some are painful, very, very painful. Through it all, God blessed and surrounded and led the ministry He called me into.
I thank God for the first step opening on May 4, 1956. Looking across these 70 years, I marvel at His faithfulness every step of the way since that day. The little girl who was a first grader in 1956 got to live and lead the church I love in extraordinary times. It takes my breath away.
What abundant blessings can take place when God and the church collaborate to say “yes” to God’s always beautiful call to live into His vision of wholeness and growth. As long as God is leading, blessings beyond our imaginations are in store for those individuals and churches that follow!
Rev. Dr. Mary John Dye
The Rev. Dr. Mary John Dye is a retired clergy member of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. This post is republished with permission from her Facebook page.