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kicked out of ministry because I have dreadlocks
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Stevo on -
Woa! Careful there. Maybe the pastor was wrong and it sounds heavy handed, but in Kenya, I suspect things are very patriarchal. It may be be hard for her to approach this authority figure the way we Anglos are accustomed to and I would never encourage such a thing unless I knew what things were like in her culture. Just the fact that she is in this position over her hair style leads me to believe that we are seeing a culture very much unlike our own.
This is such a touchy issue and yet it shouldn't be. However, we should never let our hair style or our desire to dress a certain way be the barrier for being in a certain ministry. Remember, Paul was very much "over" circumcision, but he still had Timothy circumcised for the sake of his ministry to Jewish people. If it takes such a small thing as a change in hair style to win people over, it's not worth squabbling over.
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Permalink Reply by Rick Cogbill on
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Steve is right; standing up to the male-dominated culture in Africa is not only difficult, but can be dangerous - even in the church. Lived in Kenya for two years, and saw a lot of things I didn't like.
I believe it's the women who are going to redeem Africa in the end, not the men. Look at the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement that finally ended the civil war in Liberia. When it comes to doing what's right in Africa, the majority of the men in positions of power just don't get it.
Verah should look over the good advice given in these replies. After making sure her heart is right (and that she wasn't acting out of known rebellion) she will have to make a choice - submit and stay as a suffering servant (as Jesus did); repent of a rebellious heart and stay (if that was the case); or graciously leave and find a new place to worship and serve that has a better (perhaps) understanding of how God looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance. I honestly don't know which option applies (and there may be more), but Verah, I'm sure you do.
May the Lord give you peace in the correct way to go.
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Permalink Reply by Allan Midgley on -
Wow, Yes, you guys are right there! It is hard to reply with what is given in the opening statement; and where each of us are in the world. I guess that is the trueth in the world, each person interpretes the bible by gender, culture, age and experiences; not necessarily by what is written.
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I'm glad when worship leaders and team members from all over our world meet like this; it forces us to have to stop and think our thoughts through before answering. Sometimes we get a completely different perspective on things that we used to consider cut and dried.
I don't know about you, but it keeps me on my toes. :)
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Permalink Reply by Allan Midgley on
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It is easy to think of how you would do things, when you are in your home church, but out there is so different. It is good to know others see things different - even better! :)
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Permalink Reply by Bea Alexa Sojor on -
Ask God about it, Verah :) God bless you
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Permalink Reply by Marcus Tate on -
Find another church
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Permalink Reply by Marcus Tate on
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I didn't read the whole posting. I didn't know it was Kenya.
I have been to Ethiopia several times, and I know that Dreadlocks there in Ethiopia have a significance that eludes us here in the West.
They are associated with Rasta which known to be Satanic in their eyes. The one's who are Rasta worship so very stange things?
Hailselasse used to kill and sacrifice young childerens for Satanic ritual at lake Hora at Debrezeit
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Permalink Reply by Stevo on
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I've never heard that - it would surprise me. It's a false religion that is generally benign, but still false nonetheless. Emperor Haile Selassie is worshiped by Rastafarians as the messiah, but not sure what that means. Faithful Catholic Ethiopians would certainly have an issue with that belief system. I would guess that African Christian believers in countries such as Kenya would find references to this belief offensive. I'm not sure if that's the issue here, it's also possible that we are dealing with a very patriarchal system where men aren't questioned.
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Permalink Reply by David Estes on -
Most African Christians that I know barley think we North American Christians are saved.
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Permalink Reply by Cory Zipperle on -
Being american, I don't disagree with that one bit. Christianity is in the minority in America.
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