THE CONTROVERSY OF WOMEN ORDINATION FOR MINISTRY

Abstract

The Study sought to investigate the factors that affect Women ordination in Africa Inland Church (AIC) Kenya. The research focused on Nairobi South West Region. The design of the research was a mixed one in which part of the data (demographic) was collected using a questionnaire and the rest was collected using personal interviews. Personal interviews entailed in depth face to face interviews. Both methods of data collection were used for all the respondents .The research design was based on Grounded Theory which is a method used to discover a theory to explain a particular phenomenon. The research targeted to interview 20 respondents but achieved a response rate of 15 (75%). The findings indicate that the two key factors that hinder women ordination in the church under review are Church tradition (73.3%) and African culture (60%). It was established that the church has held onto the position of the Church founders (African Inland Mission) whose inclination was complementarianism. This is where women in ministry play a supportive rather than a key role. Contrary to the researcher’s hypothesis, the interpretation of Scripture by the church is not one of the key reasons for not ordaining women. As indicated by the findings African culture in which men play the leadership role while women remain subordinate is a major influence on the position the church has continued to assume about women ministry. Most lady pastors interviewed believe that church ministry and leadership, has been influenced more by African culture than Christian world view. On the basis of the findings, the research recommends that the church should consider reviewing its long held tradition that views women in ministry as playing supportive role. It should instead consider adopting Egalitarian view like Jesus did. In this view, both men and women are seen to be equally gifted and therefore pastors of both genders should be treated equally by the church. It is a process which of necessity begins with review of the Church Constitution. The provision for women ordination consequently enables them to participate at all levels of church leadership and ministry .This in effect gives women a voice in terms of influencing church policies among other things. The expected benefits to the church include reduced pastor’s turnover, church growth and increased motivation and commitment of lady pastors to ministry. The study recommends that similar study be undertaken in other regions in rural set ups where AIC is represented to compare the results of the study.