It was an idiosyncratic upbringing to be sure—and probably only a momentary flying fish very briefly out of the water, lol—both from the perspective of family and from a moment in the church’s history.

Not many of the people in the tradition I was raised in were likely to share the same experience, if only because of context, place and time. There was a brief moment of egalitarianism during a few years of my childhood, unfortunately maybe a bit aberrant for the Seventh Day Adventist church, co-founded by Ellen White, the woman pictured above—though I, and my classmates, viewed it as fortunate for ourselves and our community. I grew up surrounded by openness and free thought, relatively speaking, of course, in a college town with a college affiliated church. Men and women alike were encouraged to become professionals, particularly emphasizing education or health care. So pretty conservative by contemporary standards but egalitarian historically.

Conservative as I now see it was, the ἐκκλησία I grew up in was full of idealism and a drive for justice and equality that eventually drew the censure of the broader church hierarchy. I remember I wrote a petition to the church—as a grade school student—requesting the right to be baptized by my teacher/pastor. I think it may have been only a few of us who were granted permission to be baptized by her. Shortly after, women were no longer ordained, I think because of pressure from the international church body.

I need to talk to my parents and friends more about that time. I remember the college in my town was scrutinized by the church, and its theology faculty were purged a few years later. This was probably in the mid 90’s. I will try to find out more about that time, next time I go back to my old hometown. A lot of the scholars from that time are still there, though they were forced to change focus from theology to film, literature, art, or humanities, the “studies of the lost.” And, I guess that is where I find myself now too, lol.

Thanks for following up, I do appreciate your egalitarian perspective! 🙏