Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord…” – John 20:18
Christ’s first messenger to those
he called as messengers was Mary.
Mary Magdalene. His friend.
She traveled with him on his road.
“Apostle to apostles,”
she’s been called, though they,
it must be said, did not believe.
But she was right and they were wrong.
So, those who now decide
to set aside the witness of
their sisters, you would mute
the Magdalene
As if you’d set your course
into a desert wasteland,
and there deprive yourselves
of water.
A poem written in response to votes at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting on June 14, 2023, to ban women from pastoral roles and remove churches led by women from the denomination’s rolls.
The image is Mary Magdalene, a Profoundism work by Koorosh Orooj – http://profoundism.com/free_licenses.html, http://profoundism.com/free_licenses_mary_magdalene.html, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=108033456.
ordainedgeek 
What a powerful challenge to the ban, and such a poignant painting you chose to illustrate it.
I love that image. It’s worth following the Profoundism links. The original is a digital creation with incredibly fine resolution. It invites you further and further into its depths.
I remember so well when the ban first went into effect and some of the wonderful women the UCC received. It is appalling. And the willingness to lose Saddleback is amazing. And the gospel ignored. And Sarah laughed.
“And Sarah laughed” – brilliant, Maren, and so true.
Thank you for this beautiful affirmation. I wrote a much more verbose response myself. https://aileengoeson.com/2023/06/17/to-the-sbc-a-baptist-preacher-has-her-say/
Thank you, Pastor! I’ve just read your response, and I’m so glad both for God’s persistence and your willingness to follow the call to ministry. May your voice always be heard.
Thanks so much! I’m grateful for the support I have from so many godly men who stand on the right side of this issue. Thanks again for reading and for your kind words. ☺️