By the Rev. Lloyd Wake
National Federation of Asian American United Methodists

San Francisco -- May 2, 2006

I was a pastor in the city of San Francisco, which hosted the 1952 General Conference. My introduction to the General Conference was to serve as a page. This involved carrying messages from one delegate to another during the plenary sessions -- peripheral to the primary purpose of the Conference, but a very interesting introduction for me. Without exception, messages were from one male delegate to another male delegate -- women delegates were practically invisible.

But there was one delegate who was very visible -- Dr. Georgia Harkness, a faculty member of the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley (and my theological mentor). She led the fight for full clergy rights for women, but the 1952 General Conference did not support her. Undaunted by the defeat, she continued to lead the struggle. It was not until four years later at the 1956 General Conference in Minnesota that full clergy rights for women were adopted.

This coming August our Church will celebrate the 50th anniversary of this achievement. Although our Church has affirmed women clergy, we have not gone far enough. This is especially evident in our Asian-American churches. Adherence to our male-dominated culture and traditions prevents many of our clergywomen from experiencing full clergy rights. While culture and tradition may enrich our faith, it can also keep us from being what God wants us to be. Thus, many Asian-American women clergy who wish to serve in Asian-American churches do not find affirmation and acceptance there, so they seek other appointments. What a loss for them and the Church!

While we Asian-American United Methodists participate in the celebration this coming August, let us commit ourselves to move ahead more intentionally and faithfully on the journey to make full clergy rights for women a greater reality.

[Published in the newsletter Journal of the Endowment Fund, Spring 2006; Rev. Wake is a retired clergy member of the California-Nevada Annual Conference.]