Committee on the Status and Role of Women

The St. Paul UMC committee on the Status and Role of Women supports the mission of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women.

That mission is to challenge The United Methodist Church at all levels to work for full and equal participation of women in the total life of the denomination, including ordination of women, equal access to policy-making and recognition that Jesus Christ calls men and women alike to salvation, liberation, discipleship and service in church and society.

The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women—and its equivalent structures in annual conferences, districts and local churches—functions as an ADVOCATE on behalf of women and girls in the denomination; serves as a CATALYST for positive change, calling the church to redress inequities of the past and prevent further inequities and gender bias against women (individually and collectively) in the church; and MONITORS United Methodist structures, policy-making bodies and related agencies to ensure inclusiveness in the TOTAL life of the United Methodist church.

Specifically, the Commission:

• Monitors agencies, annual conferences, seminaries and church policy-making bodies for gender bias, and recommends ways to address institutional sexism as expressed throughout the church.
• Conducts research and gathers data on the participation of women in the church in order to chart the denomination’s progress in eradicating institutional sexism and to discover areas where institutional sexism still exists.
• Supports annual conference commissions (or equivalent bodies) in addressing sexism and supporting the full participation of women at the regional and local-church level.
• Recommends plans, curricula and theological studies to support new understandings of theological and biblical history that speak to the status of women in church and society, and that point to the unique spiritual gifts of women.
• Challenges the church to use inclusive imagery for God and for humanity, and to consider historical, biblical and theological scholarship that supports a rich diversity of names and images for our God.
• Advocates openness to women’s participation, ideas and administrative and theological perspectives—including those of racial/ethnic women and women from outside the United States--as they contribute to the mission of the total church.
• Offers confidential support and advocates for victims of-- and offers training for bishops, district superintendents, agency management, staff and board members on issues of--sexual discrimination, harassment, abuse and misconduct. Further, the Commission cooperates with other agencies in the denomination to ensure that every church and related entity is a “safe sanctuary,” where women, children, teens and men may worship, work and fellowship without fear of sexual abuse, harassment or discrimination. (To report an incident of sexual misconduct by a clergyperson or lay professional call toll free 800.523.8390.)
• Raises awareness in the church about the emerging concerns of women and groups composed largely of women, such as clergy spouses and families.