WOMEN AS ELDERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 11, 13 July 1944, Page 7

WOMEN AS ELDERS

PRESBYTERIAN DISCUSSION P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, July 12.

"Opposition to the appointment of women elders arises out of sheer" prejudice." said the Rt. Rev. J. Lawson Robinson at a meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery today, when a long discussion took place on reports from 19 church sessions on the question. The Presbytery finally decided on the voices to defer consideration of the question until after the war.

For the life and work committee, the Rev. J. Baird reported that of 19 session replies received 14 were against the proposal and five in favour. Reasons for the decisions were given in a few cases only, but Mr. Baird indicated that the main objection was danger of the Church becoming too effeminate. It was felt that there was real danger of a,church becoming a "ladies' church," he added. The majority of the committee was against the proposal and recommended that in view of the replies from sessions the proposal to permit the appointment of women elders be not approved.

"If a church has become effeminate it has become effeminate under the charge of men," said the Rev. L. N. Rodger, who contended that each session should have a right to decide whether women could give more efficient service than men in administration. Women were the backbone of mission work, and in social service had proved to be more effective than men. As 75 per tent, of the Church membership was comprised of women he contended that they were entitled to have the right of appointment as elders.