Visible and Invisible: Women’s Ministry and Microaggressions

Knut Refsdal
This year marks the 70th anniversary of women being granted full clergy rights in the
Methodist tradition that later became part of The United Methodist Church. It is an
anniversary that gives us reason for both gratitude and pride.

At the same time, this anniversary invites us not only to celebrate an important event in the
life of the church, but also to give thanks for the many women who, long before the church
formally recognized it, answered God’s call to ministry.

Long before the church ordained women, women shaped the life of Methodism in decisive
ways. John Wesley gave women permission to lead and preach. As in several other matters,
he was persuaded to do so by his mother. Although this permission did not last long beyond
Wesley’s lifetime, women continued to follow God’s call as preachers, missionaries, class
leaders, exhorters, and theology students, even when they encountered resistance and
obstacles.

A decisive turning point came in 1956 when the General Conference of The Methodist
Church granted women full clergy rights. Maud Keister Jensen became the first woman to
receive these rights in that historic year.
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