The ordination of a woman minister at a church in Gainesville, Fla., has sparked a dispute that may force the congregation out to the Santa Fe River Baptist Association.
In addition, Lynn Williams’ dismissal from two consultant positions she held with the Florida Baptist Convention (FBC) has raised questions about whether ordination was connected to her loss of work with the state.
Williams, minister of education and students at Parkview Baptist Church, was ordained Jan. 7.
In response, three churches alleged that the Gainesville congregation is out of fellowship with the association and called for its removal.
The churches, First Baptist, Archer; Santa Fe Baptist, Alachua; and Parker Road Baptist of Gainesville, say Williams’ ordination goes against the new Baptist Faith and Message statement that was adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention last year. The faith statement reads in part, “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.” While member of the committee drafting the new language said it was intended to address only women as senior pastors, some are applying it to all ordained ministers.
‘Denied leadership’
Earlier this year, Williams voluntarily decided that at the end of this term she would step down as the association’s Sunday School director. In addition to these voluntary resignations, Williams said she believes she has been denied leadership opportunities on a state level due to her ordination.
Williams said she was told she would no longer be used as a FAITH consultant for the FBC or as a state Sunday School consultant at the request of John Sullivan, the executive director of the FBC.
Asked about a connection between her ordination at Parkview and her removal from her leadership positions, Williams responded, “It is a direct result of my being ordained.”
When asked about these allegations, Barbara Denman, a spokesperson for FBC, said: “Lynn Williams served as an independent contact worker with the FBC and concluded her commitment. The convention utilizes a number of contract workers throughout the state and contract workers are evaluated periodically on their ability, effectiveness, relational skills and presentation skills. As a contract worker, we have no legal obligation to her.”
Williams says her church has stood behind her. “They have been wonderful and totally supportive of me.”
(ABP)
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