General Conference Policy on Discrimination and Women’s Ordination – Part 2

General Conference policy opposes discrimination based on gender (as well as race and color), but then goes on to contradict itself. Dr. Gary Patterson spoke to the Michiana Adventist Forum last Sabbath afternoon about General Conference policy on the ordination of women, including the limits of the GC's administrative authority, and its policy on discrimination.

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A Policy to Allow Discrimination

It is clearly stated that General Conference policy BA 60 opposes discrimination. “The church rejects any system or philosophy which discriminates against anyone on the basis of race, color, or gender. The Church bases its positions on principles clearly enunciated in the Bible, the writings of Ellen G White, and the official pronouncements of the General Conference.” (BA 60 05). Not only is this policy clearly stated, but it is represented as being supported by both scripture and Ellen White, leaving little room for argument.

 This strong position is continued in the following section, BA 60 10 which states: “The world Church supports nondiscrimination in employment practices and policies and upholds the principle that both men and women, without regard to race and color, shall be given full and equal opportunity within the Church to develop the knowledge and skills needed for the building up of the Church. “

Thus far, the policy holds together. But the next sentence undermines and contradicts the position that has been clearly made and authoritatively supported. It states: “Positions of service and responsibility (except those requiring ordination to the gospel ministry*) on all levels of church activity shall be open to all on the basis of the individual’s qualifications.”

This statement has been represented at times as prohibiting the ordination of women to the gospel ministry. However, it is not a policy forbidding ordination. Rather it is a policy granting permission to exercise discrimination against certain classes of people. It is significant to note that the policy does not state who might fall into this category. It has been clearly stated in the policy that “race, color, or gender” are the issues being addressed,  but it does not say who might be affected by this discrimination. Therefore, it could conceivably be equally applied to any of the three categories wherever such discrimination is being practiced.

The underlying premise of the policy is one of granting permission to discriminate where such a policy exists. Thus the onus is on those who seek to discriminate, to establish such a position in their territory, not on those who do not, leaving them to proceed in harmony with the policy as it reads. “The world Church supports nondiscrimination in employment practices and policies and upholds the principle that both men and women, without regard to race and color, shall be given full and equal opportunity within the Church to develop the knowledge and skills needed for the building up of the Church. “

Dr. Gary Patterson is a retired pastor and church administrator. He has served as the president of two conferences, as an officer of the North American Division of the General Conference, as a member of the General Conference administrative committee, and as a General Field Secretary of the General Conference. He was also the founding director of the Office of Mission Awareness for the General Conference. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree.

Image: Raewyn Hankins was ordained in 2012.