By Narayan Mitra

WITH 141 churches in its fold and another six in the works, the Evangelical Free Church of Canada (EFCC) isn’t exactly a huge denomination.

Except for a small presence in Ontario, most of the churches are found in Western Canada where EFCC originated.

The bi-annual national conference, held July 21 – 24 at the Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops, had ‘Regenerate’ as the theme – and generated more comradeship than heat.

Including pastors, missionaries and executives, 226 attended the conference. A wide range of workshop topics served as refreshers and new educational tools. The plenary speakers were Randy Friesen, general director of MBMS International; and Paul Chamberlain, director of the Institute for Christian Apologetics at ACTS Seminaries.

The only item of business that could have set off some fireworks – and did not – was the issue of having women in lead pastoral positions.

As a matter of fact, the peaceful spirit in which the study process was introduced and given preliminary discussion by the delegates, both men and women, left most of them evidently proud to belong to such a fellowship.

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Some studies on gender equality in ministry had already been undertaken by a task force, but not communicated to individual churches .

This conference was the first venue where churches were alerted to the formal start of the process – which is expected to culminate in a vote in 2012. At issue is whether women could serve as lead pastors in EFCC churches. Many women are already doing ministry in affiliated churches.

A catalyst that brought the issue to the fore related to ordination of a female chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces. Even without being ordained, the woman in question has been certified by EFCC in order to serve in the Forces on a one-time exception basis. This has set the ball rolling to deliberate the role of women in pastoral ministry in EFCC.

Most delegates who spoke up were favourably disposed to affirm women.  

“A rose by any name smells sweet. Though scholars fall on either side of the debate, we can allow our own practice on this issue. In Free Church, we have the freedom to differ,” said pastor Steve Bateman from Lethbridge.

But Tom Mulder from Prince George wasn’t so sure. “It’s a biblical issue, and not about what other denominations are saying or doing.”

Mulder also objected to labelling the issue “non-essential.” The EFCC slogan of “unity in essentials, charity in non-essentials and Jesus Christ in all things” had the task force categorizing the current issue.    

August 2010