Assembly 2000

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THE Uniting Church in South Australia has set a progressive example for other mainstream churches by appointing a female moderator with a special interest in rural communities. Mrs Jan Trengove, a Spalding farmer, becomes the third female moderator in SA since the Uniting Church was formed in 1977.

The major Christian churches tend to have strong and loyal parish support in the rural areas yet, because of the complexities of church politics, draw their senior leadership from the cities.

In reversing this trend the Uniting Church has recognised that country areas have specific problems and aspirations. It will increase its standing and credibility, if not its attendances, in neglected rural areas.

By appointing its third female head, the Uniting Church also reawakens debate on the justification of exempting churches from sex discrimination legislation.

The acceptance and promotion of women at all levels sits comfortably with the Uniting Church while the Catholic and Anglican churches, to name just two, struggle with the issue of female clergy, let alone church leadership. In private industry or government service, depriving women of the right to high office on the basis of gender is illegal.

It is an issue which raises serious questions about the longer-term relevance of traditional churches in society.

Editorial, Advertiser, SA (October 17, 2000)

Comment

Views expressed in any comments above do not necessarily reflect those of the Uniting Church in Australia.