Opinions About Ordination of Women

Combined Survey Report Southern California Conference May 2012

Source of Data
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Three surveys were conducted for the Southern California Conference in March and April of 2012 to assess the views of key constituents on the possible ordination of women serving in pastoral ministry.
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71 of 145 pastors responded (49%) 19 of 31 executive committee members (61%) 23 of 76 lay members of the Region Committees (30%)

Position on Womens Ordination to the Gospel Ministry

76% 63% 75%

26% 13% 10% 17% 11% 8%

In Favor
Pastors

Favor with Reservations

Executive Committee

Against It
Region Committees

Should we continue to allow gender to prejudice decisions on ordination?

92% 84% 91%

16% 8%

9%

Yes
Pastors Executive Committee

No
Region Committees

Where should the final decision be made on this topic?

53% 42% 41% 39% 45% 33% 21% 23% 36%

Union Executive Committee

Pastors

Division Annual Meeting

Executive Committee

GC Session

Region Committees

Some respondents picked more than one response.

If women are ordained, where should this status be recognized?

67% 68% 58%

30%

26% 29% 16% 10% 12%

Around the world

Pastors

Only in their own division

Executive Committee

Not sure

Region Committees

Some respondents picked more than one response.

What should a division do that wishes to ordain women?

62% 47% 37% 39% 30% 16% 7% 4% Go ahead with it & report to next GC Session 56%

Wait for approval in a GC Session

Pastors

Persuade other divisions to vote in favor

Executive Committee

Region Committees

I See the Issue as a

Theological issue Cultural issue 49% 25% 61% 66% 67%
Pastors Executive Committee Region Committees

46% 39% 17% 31% 28% 33%

A number of respondents indicated multiple responses.

Social issue

50%

Practical issue

Questions
Monte Sahlin l Senior Consultant, Center for Creative Ministry
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msahlin@creativeministry.org l (800) 272-4664

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