Lynn Smith grew up in the same Southern Baptist church in Burlington, Ky., that later married her and her husband, nurtured her children, taught her to hear God's voice.

When God called her to ministry, the 46-year-old said "Yes," even though church mores hold women unfit to "preach, teach or hold authority over men."

On Wednesday, she asked 200 people at Burlington Baptist to ordain her. They didn't, essentially telling Ms. Smith that she had heard God wrong.

Ordination is a sign of approval, a formal boost onto the upward ladder of spiritual service.

Ms. Smith was licensed for ministry in 1998, but that's not the same as being ordained. She even pastored at a Disciples of Christ church in Butler, Ky., for two years. She served in leadership roles in the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship in Louisville. And she visited the sick, organized and led services, coordinated outreach and inspired missionaries.

On Wednesday, she asked the congregation, whom she calls family, for their blessing - not their permission - for her efforts.

`Even women'

"God calls whomever God wishes to call to do the work," she said, "scoundrels and scalawags and, yes, even women. ... Ministry is no statement of authority over anyone. ... It's a statement about servanthood.''

Jesus was a servant to his disciples. Ministers are to serve their congregations, equipping them for Christian life. In Baptist churches, members, not pastors, call the shots.

"I'm not asking your permission to respond to God's call," she said. "It's God's call, and it's my response.

"Ministry is not ours. The church is not ours. It is the very representation of Christ in this place."

She left the room so church members wouldn't feel uncomfortable talking about her. She waited near the church front door, along with members of the news media and other outsiders, as they voted on her future.

But while Ms. Smith's communication with her church was direct, unemotional, sensitive and based in Scripture, the church's answer was anything but.

Instead of holding a simple vote on whether to ordain or not ordain her, church officials steered the vote to a side issue that had the effect of killing Ms. Smith's application for ordination without really addressing it.

After Ms. Smith submitted her ordination petition two years ago, some church members proposed new rules for ordinations. A majority passed the rules, but with no provisions to grandfather in Ms. Smith's application.

Changing the rules

Then, on Wednesday, those who opposed her ordination used the rules to designate her application "out of order."

The church voted on whether to suspend the new rules and allow the vote on ordination to proceed. But that effort failed 104-102. So did a move by some members to appeal.

It was a bloodless battle.

Afterward, many in the church embraced those who had held opposing viewpoints. Ms. Smith warmly hugged church leaders. A few wiped tears from their eyes.

Although people were reluctant to talk, some indicated they felt uncomfortable with the fight, which they suspected was not over.

Ms. Smith, too, declined to be interviewed, saying that the Baptist Church does so much good but seems to make headlines only when it becomes embroiled in one of these controversies.

Burlington Baptist isn't alone in its struggles. Many churches and denominations quake at women in leadership.

We may be the backbone for most churches, but we're still being asked to use the back door.

E-mail damos@enquirer.com or phone 768-8395.