Tag: women in ministry

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Michigan Pentecost Bands Cause Local Uproar in 1886

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Because the Pentecost Bands were essentially traveling revivalists, their members had the opportunity to influence countless individuals, It wasn’t unusual for a young adult to attend a band meeting, become saved, and then feel called to become a band member. However, the religious enthusiasm the bands fueled wasn’t without controversy. In this blog post, I’ll share some accounts of controversies surrounding their ministry in St. Joseph and Lawrence, Michigan in 1886. The Influence of the Bands When young adults felt called to join the bands, it didn’t always go over well in their local communities, particularly when young women felt … Continue reading Michigan Pentecost Bands Cause Local Uproar in 1886

Free Methodist Deaconess OrderLeave a comment

Covering the Body: Requiring a Deaconess Uniform

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While the Free Methodist Deaconess Order was geninunely supported by most delegates at the 1907 Free Methodist General Conference, there was one point of contention– should the Free Methodist deaconess have a required uniform? Some Free Methodists worried a uniform would be perceived by the public as a pro-Catholic endorsement and seen as too similar to the habit worn by nuns. [i] Yet, supporters of a uniform argued that by requiring deaconesses to wear a specific outfit or certain colors, the public would be able to easily distinguish their mission and affiliation. Free Methodist Discussion on the Uniform Before the 1907 General … Continue reading Covering the Body: Requiring a Deaconess Uniform

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Walter Sellew’s Why Not? Is it Really a Defense of Women’s Ministry?

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Cementing Women’s Ministry Roles From 1911-1974 Free Methodist women who entered ministry had three approved tracks: evangelist, deaconess, or deacon. While these ministry paths opened numerous doors at the local level, decisions at the denominational level still primarily excluded women, as they could only be elected as lay delegates to general conferences. The result was that decisions affecting the entire denomination were still decided mainly by men. Since men could be selected as both lay and ministerial delegates to general conferences, it was almost guaranteed that more men would secure delegate spots and maintain the majority vote for denominational decisions. Leaders such … Continue reading Walter Sellew’s Why Not? Is it Really a Defense of Women’s Ministry?

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The Free Methodist Deaconess Order Part Two

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The 1907 Free Methodist General Conference was largely supportive of establishing a deaconess order, and unlike women’s ordination, the idea was met with little backlash from the more conservative leaders of the denomination. However, there was one point contention– should the Free Methodist deaconess have a required uniform? Some Free Methodists worried a uniform would be perceived by the public as a pro-Catholic endorsement and seen as too similar to the habit worn by nuns.[i] Yet, supporters of a uniform argued that by requiring deaconesses to wear a specific outfit or certain colors, the public would be able to easily … Continue reading The Free Methodist Deaconess Order Part Two

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Christopher and Blanche Stamp: Free Methodist General Conference Evangelists

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Christopher Stamp became a General Conference evangelist around 1904, and the Stamps’ speaking engagements garnered media attention wherever they went. While Christopher was the official General Conference evangelist, Blanche often preached alongside him. The advertisement at the start of this article serves as a prime example of how the Stamps’ revival services were promoted. When the couple was preaching in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1910, the local Free Methodist Church published an outline of their revival services in The Lawrence Daily World. Although this particular engagement was part of the quarterly conference meeting, it still reflects a typical overview of their … Continue reading Christopher and Blanche Stamp: Free Methodist General Conference Evangelists

Free Methodism, Free Methodist Deaconess Order, Free Methodist General Conferences, Free Methodist WomenLeave a comment

Shifting Narratives on Gender Part Three: The 1907 Free Methodist General Conference

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When the resolution to approve a deaconess order came to the floor at the 1907 General Conference, the idea was met with enthusiastic support, passing through committee with thirty-five in favor and only seven opposed before coming to the floor for a conference vote.[i] Very few concerns were raised, but among the topics discussed were governance, mission, and uniforms for the order. Speaking in favor of the order, Free Methodist editor Charles Ebey reminded delegates there were already churches with such orders, and the need for a Free Methodist order was great. Reflecting on his personal experiences with deaconesses, Ebey … Continue reading Shifting Narratives on Gender Part Three: The 1907 Free Methodist General Conference

Free Methodist Deacons2 Comments

Ada Hall: One of the First Female Deacons

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The 1911 Free Methodist General Conference took steps to finally allow women some form of ordination. Now, women could become ordained deacons at the annual conference level, but with the cavet that “this ordination of women shall not be considered a step towards ordination as an elder.”1 I’ll write about all five women at some point, but Ada Hall is by far my favorite. I feel a kindered spirit in her writing and passion for what she believed important enough to fight for. Prior to being ordained a deacon, Hall had been appointed to circuits in the Minnesota and Northern … Continue reading Ada Hall: One of the First Female Deacons

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The 1911 Free Methodist General Conference: A Turning Point for Women’s Ordination

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The 1911 Free Methodist General Conference marked a significant step in recognizing women’s roles within the church by allowing women to become ordained deacons at the annual conference level. However, this decision came with the caveat that “this ordination of women shall not be considered a step towards ordination as an elder.” While I plan to write about all five women who were pivotal during this time, Ada Hall stands out as my favorite. I feel a kindred spirit in her writing and passion for the causes she believed were important enough to fight for. Ada Hall: A Trailblazer for … Continue reading The 1911 Free Methodist General Conference: A Turning Point for Women’s Ordination

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Blanche and Christopher Stamp: Superstar Free Methodist Evangelists

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Christopher Stamp was an early convert to Free Methodism. About ten years after the denomination was founded in 1860, he heard Free Methodists preach in Seattle. As a teenager, he was greatly influenced by two Free Methodists, Rev. Peter Griggs and Hiram Pease, who were actively preaching in the Northwest United States. According to his 1930 obituary in The Free Methodist, he first converted to Free Methodism, and shortly after, during the same revival, he experienced sanctification. Since Seattle lacked an established Free Methodist Church, Christopher traveled to San Francisco to join there. By the early 1880s, he was ordained … Continue reading Blanche and Christopher Stamp: Superstar Free Methodist Evangelists

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Discovering the Life and Ministry of Blanche Stamp

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]Last year, while researching Progressive Era women evangelists in The Free Methodist, I frequently encountered accounts of Blanche Stamp. Like many women from this period, I initially knew little about her, prompting further exploration into her life and contributions. Early … Continue reading Discovering the Life and Ministry of Blanche Stamp