The Great Debate: A Study of the People and Factors that Influenced the Discussions on Women as Elders in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Canada, 1982 to 2000

Abstract

<p>Members of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church (C&MA) in Canada debated, for nearly twenty years, whether or not it was appropriate for women to be Elders in the church. The purpose of this thesis is to examine, through interviews and archival research, why members of the C&MA could not agree on this issue and to argue that the lack of resolution throughout the debates is the result of a variety of interconnected factors. First, there was confusion and disagreement over the denomination's tradition of women in ministry. Second, there was disagreement over what was the appropriate response to rapid cultural changes both inside and outside of the church. Third, the denomination's inability to come to a consensus on the interpretation of scripture contributed to the lack of resolution.</p>