in Kansas in the United States. She observed that the legacy of patriarchy still abounds in global Christianity and that there needs to be “a New Reformation” that “engages biblical hermeneutics, theological construction, and ensures persistent advocacy for justice for women.” Marshall asserted that “Gods Spirit is calling women to every realm of service,” and that “spiritual gifts are not allocated according to gender.” Much of what passes for justification for gender discrimination

is dictated by historical setting rather than divine decree. “Examining the centrality of women in the Jesus movement serves to re-frame spiritual authority where women’s experiences of spiritual power superseded, relativized, or revised the boundaries of gender and the demands of patriarchy.” Therefore, “new approaches to gender equality must reject theological and institutional

frameworks that perpetuate discrimination and prejudice against women.”

DE-STRESSING & the Spiritual Disciplines J

amaican psychiatrist Lisabeth Crossman said reaction to an event determines whether the event is stressful or traumatic, which increases if the incident was unexpected, the person

was unprepared or if there is a lack of control over what occurred. “The higher the dose of trauma, the more potentially

damaging the effects,” said Crossman. Extreme cases can result in post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a medical disorder with characteristic signs and symptoms that develop after a person is exposed to a traumatic event. She cites a World Health Organization study that an estimated

3.6 percent of the world’s population has PTSD. The church, she believes, can provide psycho-social

support systems such as providing a listening ear to those who are distressed, and encouraging and supporting community initiatives. Psychological first aid may also be offered, including nonintrusive practical care and support; helping people address basic needs such as for food and water; helping people connect to information, services and social supports; and protecting persons from further harm.

Spiritual Disciplines Francesca Nuzzolese and Yvonne Martinez-Thorne from the

United States emphasized the role that the spiritual disciplines play in dealing with trauma, stress, physical burnout, emotional fatigue and spiritual emptiness. Spiritual disciplines are the performance of actions and

activities to cultivate spiritual development. These include meditation, prayer, service, silence, solitude, study, teaching and worship. A primary cause of burnout, fatigue and emptiness is the

Regina Claas of Germany drew on her own experience and

that of Elizabeth Mvula from Malawi, who spoke during the session, to explain the discrimination faced by women and the struggles they endure. Participants emphasized the need for women to be defined

by their “identity in Christ and the appropriating of God’s gifts” rather than by gender. There is need for women to be their own advocate and for those women who are in insecure situations. Discriminatory practices and conduct should be eschewed with and “genuine holistic equality, respecting both men and women,” should be practiced instead, “taking care not to fall into patterns of discriminatory conduct either way. Churches and ministries that practice gender equality should be celebrated.

Environment “Environmental conflict is both a historical sin and a current

reality,” said Jamaican pastor Norva Rodney. “It rises from competition among individuals and institutions over finite environmental resources, which when not effectively managed, can escalate and intensify.” Rodney contended that a Christ-centered response is

needed, “locating this as a matter of both theological and ethical concern.” He emphasized that “as Christians, we must now unapologetically offer enlightened leadership and prophetic guidance to state officials in demonstrating wholesome commitment to restoring and preserving the environment.” Therefore “the church needs to find a way of overcoming political obstacles” that serve “to impede the essential mission toward sustainable redemptive action.”

10 BAPTIST WORLD MAGAZINE

“propensity to elevate doing over being.” This is compounded by global concerns such as forced migration and terrorism that weigh on individuals and groups. “As Baptists and as global citizens, we believe and experience that what happens to one, affects all,” Nuzzolese, a theologian, and Martinez-Thorne, a psychologist, stated. Self-care becomes critically important “as we seek to deal

with increasing human suffering in the world.” As a first step in practicing the spiritual disciplines, one should become self- aware, acknowledging one’s limitations and finitude. “We seem to be missing the intentionality of spiritual disciplines as ways of cultivating character for ministry leadership,” they said. They emphasized practices such as centering silence, humility,

forgiving oneself and taking Sabbaths (resting). The cultivation of “spiritual companions,” establishing relationships with others, is also helpful. This helps to guard against serving in isolation. “We should appreciate and avail ourselves of God’s means of grace through others,” Nuzzolese and Martinez-Thorne concluded.