The View From Here -- By: Deborah Olsoe Lunde

Journal: Priscilla Papers
Volume: PP 03:4 (Fall 1989)
Article: The View From Here
Author: Deborah Olsoe Lunde


The View From Here

Deborah Olsoe Lunde

CBE Board Member National Director,
Missionary Kids’ Program, Lutheran Brethren Church

The weekend of July 20-23 found me 300 miles from home, eagerly hurrying to plenary sessions and jotting down notes during workshops at the first biennial conference sponsored by CBE. The title of Theologian Roger Nicole’s address aptly captures for me the spirit and purpose of the conference: “A Time for Affirmation.” And yes, I was in need of such affirmation from others whom I respected.

My convictions concerning the validity of biblical equality have been growing over the past 12 years as I have studied the subject of male/female relationships. Finding myself far from persons knowledgeable about the critical issues or even sympathetic to the questions I had about Scripture, my main source of learning and sustenance has been written material. Books and articles are good nourishment but there’s nothing like meeting, conversing with and sometimes crying with like-minded women and men who have also studied the issue and are seeking to refine and follow through on their convictions. The CBE conference offered many varied opportunities for such healing and instructive interaction.

My reactions throughout the weekend, . demonstrate something of the impact the conference had for me: How motivating to find others with the same deep concern for the equal partnership of men and women in evangelism and missions. What a relief to discuss the “hard passages” of Scripture with someone who understands the ongoing debate concerning the meaning of kephale, Greek for “head,” in the New Testament How encouraging to honestly talk about the struggles and joys of trying to live out the principles of equality in a marriage relationship. What a comfort to meet others who comprehend the discouraging experience of continually butting up against restrictions on the use of leadership gifts in the church because one is a women. How satisfying to hear the stories of change and progress by individuals and groups who have taken seriously Scripture’s call to mutual service and submission of all persons who are in Christ

Now I am home again, home in a rural community where, all too often, mixed gatherings end up splitting into segregated groups with the men discussing hunting and farming and other “male” subjects, and the women talking about childcare and recipes; home where it is often expected that a man should have free rein to pursue his career whether or not this restricts or even denies his wife the prospect of living out her calling; home where our church overlooks many of the talents and gifts of half of the congregation because they are found in a female form. It is not always easy to be here, but I have been invigorated by the input I received at the ...

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