Women have always been an integral part of the General Assembly.
WOMEN AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Louis F. Morgan and David G. Roebuck
WOMEN HAVE been a dynamic and integral part of the history of God’s people from the creation of the human race. The Bible records the significance of women in a wide range of roles, including mother, prophetess, apostle, and even military leader. The history of Christianity reveals that women have been vital in fulfilling the Great Commission, from preaching to making disciples in homes, churches, and communities.
Likewise, women have been integral in the Church of God from our founding at Barney Creek. They provide significate ministries at our International General Assemblies in a variety of activities including business, the ministry of the Word, and support of Assembly operations.
Likewise, women have been integral in the Church of God from our founding at Barney Creek. They provide significate ministries at our International General Assemblies in a variety of activities including business, the ministry of the Word, and support of Assembly operations.
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General Assembly Business
Six women were part of the 21 representatives at the first General Assembly in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Along with their attendance, the Minutes of that first Assembly record that Melissa Shearer Murphy, who hosted the Assembly in her home, participated in the discussion at that Assembly. The Minutes state, “The Sunday School was briefly discussed by elder W.F. Bryant, [Melissa] Murphy and others” (A. 1906, Tract, pp. 7-8). The conclusions of the Assembly are noted, but without details of what each delegate said. It is possible that other women spoke on this topic or other topics as the minutes often note the names of one or two speakers followed by “and others.” Although we have little historical information as to how the agenda and speakers were determined at the early Assemblies, there is some evidence that selected persons were designated to be prepared to speak on particular topics. Thus, in the case of Sunday schools, the Minutes may have specified both W.F. Bryant and Melissa Murphy because they were prepared to initiate the discussion on that particular topic. What other women may have spoken is lost in time. It is also clear that delegates to that first Assembly were intentional about women participating in future Assemblies. Their final decision on Saturday, January 28, was to have an Assembly every year in order to facilitate “a closer union and fellowship of all the churches.” As to who should attend the Assembly, they agreed delegates should include “elders, chosen men, and the women, from each church….” Although we do not have a list of those who attended the second Assembly at the Union Grove Church in Bradley County in 1907, the record of that meeting shows their openness to women participating in the discussions, as the minutes record that “Sister N.J. Lawson spoke briefly on the ministry of prayer” (A. 1907, handwritten minutes., p. 25). Although it is clear that women participated in the discussions at the first two Assemblies, such participation did not continue for long. Minutes of subsequent Assemblies do not reveal any specific action that led to the prohibition of women discussing the topics of importance. But other sources indicate that the Church of God began to follow the theological position of General Overseer A.J. Tomlinson, which was to prohibit women from speaking in business meetings at both the local and general levels. Tomlinson’s ongoing emphasis on following the biblical or apostolic pattern of church government led him to a particular interpretation of Paul’s admonition for women to keep silent in the Church (1 Cor. 14:34). Observing that the biblical text does not mention a woman being present at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, Tomlinson concluded that Paul understood “church” to mean “Christ’s government.” Thus, Paul’s prohibition for women to keep silent referred to those times when the general Church or a local congregation was in a business meeting (“Christ Our Lawgiver and King,” Evangel, Nov. 1, 1910, p. 2). Tomlinson’s exclusion of women from business meetings was voiced by other leaders and became the practice of the Church of God. Without Assembly action, Tomlinson’s position was included in an appendix to the Minutes, called “Advice to Members,” which developed into the “Supplement” to the Assembly Minutes that is now known as the Book of Discipline, Church Order, and Governance. This exclusion of women from General Assembly business meetings was fully lifted at the 1992 General Assembly. Although some continue to believe that women cannot speak or vote at the International General Assembly, this reflects an incomplete understanding of the Assembly. While women do not participate in the business of the International General Council of ordained bishops, this council is advisory to the International General Assembly. Women who are age 16 and older have full voice and vote in the business of the International General Assembly, which is the final and most authoritative governing body of the Church of God. Through the years, the Assembly has excluded women from participation in other boards and bodies of the Church, but many of these exclusions have now been eliminated. For example, the 2010 International General Assembly lifted the restriction of Church and Pastor’s Councils to men only, opening the door for local congregations to elect women to that body of government at the local level. |
LOST, BUT NOW FOUND
 Artist’s drawing of Melissa Murphy about 1906
ALTHOUGH THE Minutes of the first Assembly record the participation of Melissa Murphy in the discussion of Sunday school, her involvement was lost from our historical record for many years. A.J. and Mary Tomlinson printed the Minutes of the first Assembly in tract form, but it was not until the 6th Assembly in 1911 that the Church began to publish the Minutes of each General Assembly. Few of those printed copies survived, and the handwritten minutes of those earliest Assemblies seemed to disappear for a time as well.
In 1922, the Church of God Publishing House published a compendium of Minutes to the first 13 Assemblies. Entitled Book of Minutes and reprinted numerous times, this compilation became the standard reference for those early Assemblies at the Church of God International Offices and in most ministerial libraries. Today’s Book of Discipline, Church Order, and Governance still cites this 1922 publication as “Bk. M.” when referring to the decisions of the early Assemblies. Upon the publication of Book of Minutes, Editor and Publisher J.S. Llewellyn noted, “While this book contains the most interesting features of the various minutes and records …it is not intended to express the full minutes as they appeared in pamphlet form” (Book of Minutes, p. 302). Among the information omitted from the Book of Minutes were the names of those who spoke on various topics at the first Assembly. As a result, knowledge that Melissa Murphy spoke at the first Assembly was lost to everyone who depended on the Book of Minutes as the historical record. Today, the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center has recovered and preserves the original handwritten minutes of the first Assembly, as well as the printed tract. The Church of God’s investment in preserving these and other early records informs us of the true legacy of women in the Church of God. ANNIE HEATH: ASSEMBLY PIANIST
 Annie Heath, here with her husband Samuel, was pianist for many Assemblies THE ASSEMBLY Minutes are filled with references to women who participated in musical ministry at the Assemblies. Among these is Annie Heath, who played the piano for many years. Although she was not the only pianist for the Assembly, she evidently was one of the favorites. She also addressed Assembly delegates on numerous occasions regarding support for evangelism, orphans, and missions.
Annie and her husband, Samuel Jackson Heath, united with the Church in 1917 as charter members of what is now Mount Paran Central in Atlanta, Georgia, and were licensed as ministers. In addition to preaching, Annie was a gifted musician and songwriter. By her example, she led her father, D.N. Baldwin, into the Church of God. Baldwin, an esteemed band leader and music teacher in Atlanta, soon organized the first band at what is now Mount Paran Central. In 1931, Annie became Mississippi’s first state youth director, known then as the state superintendent of the Sunday School and Young People’s Endeavor. She also organized the first statewide women’s ministry and youth activities in Mississippi, pastored two local churches, mentored young female ministers, and evangelized throughout the Southeast. Annie Heath was selected to teach piano at the Bible Training School (now Lee University) in 1933. On her way to BTS, she died unexpectedly while conducting a camp meeting in Montgomery, Alabama. At the 1933 General Assembly, R.R. Walker, whom she had helped lead into the Church, noted: “I know you who have been here before must miss [Sister Heath] greatly this year. I have seen her sitting at the piano so many times, making music that I am sure Heaven is filled with. Now, even as the mantle of Elijah fell on Elisha so must Sister Heath’s mantle fall on someone. If it falls your lot to take up the banner she laid down, please don’t shirk, but let us all be faithful. . . .” (A. 1933, p. 31). |
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General Overseer F.J. Lee invited Evangelist Lettie Cross to preach to youth at the
1924 General Assembly.
Ministry at the General Assembly
Women have been involved in ministry of the Word from the earliest years of the Church of God. As early as 1897, R.G. Spurling credentialed Dorcas Louiza Freeman to preach the gospel. The 1908 Assembly recognized women as deaconesses, and the 1909 Assembly agreed that “women who engage in the ministry of the Word” should be acknowledged and provided a ministerial license (A. 1909, handwritten minutes, p. 40). Other Assemblies have discussed various rights, responsibilities, and titles of women in ministry. Although Tomlinson limited women’s participation in business, he was quick to encourage them in the preaching ministry and recognized that the Great Commission can never be fulfilled without their inclusion in ministry.
Women have been featured prominently since the earliest Assemblies by offering prayers, welcome speeches, sermons, testimonies, and music. Evangelist Sallie O. Lee is the first woman recorded preaching at the General Assembly. At the 8th Assembly in January 1913, she “brought the message” at the Wednesday evening evangelistic service and, as a result, “several received the Holy Ghost” (A. Jan. 1913, p. 44). A few of the women who have been called to preach at the Assembly through the years include Lettie Cross, Loida Camacho, Jacqueline Smith, Joycelyn Barnett, and Ana Ruth Diaz.
On many occasions, women have led special Assembly services such as the orphanage, youth, and women’s services. Following the establishment of a women’s ministries program in 1929, which first was called “Ladies Willing Workers Band” (LWWB), a women’s service was eventually added to the Assembly program. This service frequently included women who had planned the service, the wife of the general overseer, who served as president of the international LWWB, and later the executive secretary of women’s ministries, who was first appointed in 1964. These services often culminated with a sermon by a female minister. These programs gave cause for rejoicing upon hearing the testimonies of the significant contributions of women in the overall ministries of the Church. At the Assembly of 1954 in Memphis, Tennessee, delegates rejoiced upon learning that women’s ministries had raised $1,321,168 for various projects, both locally and internationally, since the previous Assembly.
Women have been involved in ministry of the Word from the earliest years of the Church of God. As early as 1897, R.G. Spurling credentialed Dorcas Louiza Freeman to preach the gospel. The 1908 Assembly recognized women as deaconesses, and the 1909 Assembly agreed that “women who engage in the ministry of the Word” should be acknowledged and provided a ministerial license (A. 1909, handwritten minutes, p. 40). Other Assemblies have discussed various rights, responsibilities, and titles of women in ministry. Although Tomlinson limited women’s participation in business, he was quick to encourage them in the preaching ministry and recognized that the Great Commission can never be fulfilled without their inclusion in ministry.
Women have been featured prominently since the earliest Assemblies by offering prayers, welcome speeches, sermons, testimonies, and music. Evangelist Sallie O. Lee is the first woman recorded preaching at the General Assembly. At the 8th Assembly in January 1913, she “brought the message” at the Wednesday evening evangelistic service and, as a result, “several received the Holy Ghost” (A. Jan. 1913, p. 44). A few of the women who have been called to preach at the Assembly through the years include Lettie Cross, Loida Camacho, Jacqueline Smith, Joycelyn Barnett, and Ana Ruth Diaz.
On many occasions, women have led special Assembly services such as the orphanage, youth, and women’s services. Following the establishment of a women’s ministries program in 1929, which first was called “Ladies Willing Workers Band” (LWWB), a women’s service was eventually added to the Assembly program. This service frequently included women who had planned the service, the wife of the general overseer, who served as president of the international LWWB, and later the executive secretary of women’s ministries, who was first appointed in 1964. These services often culminated with a sermon by a female minister. These programs gave cause for rejoicing upon hearing the testimonies of the significant contributions of women in the overall ministries of the Church. At the Assembly of 1954 in Memphis, Tennessee, delegates rejoiced upon learning that women’s ministries had raised $1,321,168 for various projects, both locally and internationally, since the previous Assembly.
Since at least 1913, women have been vital to the record keeping and operation of the Assembly.
Supporting the Assembly
Along with participation in Assembly business, preaching, music, and special services, many women have served in support roles. Although Pastor Tomlinson served as clerk of the first Assembly and recorded the minutes with his own hand, the historical record reveals that his wife, Mary Jane Tomlinson, was instrumental in printing those minutes.
In his “Prefatory Notes” to the January 1913 Assembly, Tomlinson acknowledged others involved in making the Minutes available. He noted, “The faithful service rendered by E.J. Boehmer, M.T. Whidden, Mrs. Flora E. Trim, and Mrs. Nora Chambers has made it possible to give to the public this brief account of the Assembly just closed, and we feel sure that many will fully appreciate their untiring efforts as they labored day and night” (A. Jan. 1913, p. 3). At today’s International General Assemblies, many men and women provide support. This is especially true of the staff in the Office of Communications, Church of God Publications, and the International General Assembly Cabinet.
Among those providing support are the executive assistants of the International Executive Committee and other divisional leaders. Some of these are seen on the platform assisting the secretary general. Others are behind the scenes typing minutes, assisting in vote counting, working with vendors, and numerous other activities. They too are working day and night so that Assembly delegates may once again conclude, “It seemeth good to the Holy Ghost and us.”
Along with participation in Assembly business, preaching, music, and special services, many women have served in support roles. Although Pastor Tomlinson served as clerk of the first Assembly and recorded the minutes with his own hand, the historical record reveals that his wife, Mary Jane Tomlinson, was instrumental in printing those minutes.
In his “Prefatory Notes” to the January 1913 Assembly, Tomlinson acknowledged others involved in making the Minutes available. He noted, “The faithful service rendered by E.J. Boehmer, M.T. Whidden, Mrs. Flora E. Trim, and Mrs. Nora Chambers has made it possible to give to the public this brief account of the Assembly just closed, and we feel sure that many will fully appreciate their untiring efforts as they labored day and night” (A. Jan. 1913, p. 3). At today’s International General Assemblies, many men and women provide support. This is especially true of the staff in the Office of Communications, Church of God Publications, and the International General Assembly Cabinet.
Among those providing support are the executive assistants of the International Executive Committee and other divisional leaders. Some of these are seen on the platform assisting the secretary general. Others are behind the scenes typing minutes, assisting in vote counting, working with vendors, and numerous other activities. They too are working day and night so that Assembly delegates may once again conclude, “It seemeth good to the Holy Ghost and us.”
Louis F. Morgan, Ph.D., is professor and director of Library Services at Lee University.
David G. Roebuck, Ph.D. is director of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center, Church of God Historian,
and Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity at Lee University.
David G. Roebuck, Ph.D. is director of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center, Church of God Historian,
and Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity at Lee University.