Happy summer, Midtown! We hope you are enjoying the sunshine and a slower pace. Today we are excited to tell you about something that has been happening behind the scenes and to invite you into the ongoing work.
Over the past few years, Midtown’s leadership has had a growing desire to faithfully address our theology and practice as it relates to women, their roles in ministry and our church. As a result, the administrative body of our Session asked that a committee be formed to further study this topic and how it was being lived out at Midtown and similar churches. The committee was tasked with bringing back recommendations on how our church could better love each individual in our community through recognizing, encouraging and equipping both men and women to serve in God’s kingdom.
Upon being asked to lead this endeavor, Randy Draughon, founding pastor, knew exactly who he was going to call first: Laura Hohman, a member of our East Nashville congregation and Associate Professor of History at Trevecca University. “For several years Laura and I have been talking about the historical, cultural and theological views on women and the church. I knew I couldn’t put this team together without her leadership and wisdom. Laura is a gifted leader who leads with integrity, character and a great sense of humor.” With an extensive knowledge of church history and the role of women in the church through the ages as well as a personal experience of Midtown that stretches over 12 years, Laura was excited about the opportunity because of her personal and professional interests.
With the help of the congregational pastors, Randy and Laura recruited women from each of our campuses to participate in the committee. Beginning in July of 2023, the team, called the Women’s Leadership and Care Committee, began meeting monthly to study, discuss and dream. Laura says, “I was so excited to sit in a room with women from all different neighborhoods, life stages, and experiences as they came together to talk about Jesus’ mission for women and the biblical vision for the co-laboring of men and women in the church. Our research and conversations were far-ranging and philosophical, but would also get specific and practical as we sought to best understand age-old ecclesiastical and cultural blindspots as well as the biblical teachings on women’s role in the church.”
The work was divided into three parts, each assigned to a subcommittee—(1) studying historical and current writings on the subject as well as relevant scripture passages, (2) consulting with similar churches inside and outside of our denomination to learn ways that we could better utilize women in leading and caring for our congregations, and (3) examining our staff structure, culture and practices for areas of needed improvement.
The formation of this committee coincided with a related development—the creation of a new role at Midtown, Director of Ministry at Midtown 12S. Ashley Jacobs started in this role in June 2023. As Director of Ministry, she oversees multiple areas of ministry at 12 South, as well as participating in strategic decision making alongside the leadership team and pastoral care and mentoring for women in the congregation. “I was attracted to the role and to the committee because they are both working out the meaning of men and women being on mission together for the sake of the Gospel. Midtown is clearly a place where people are enjoying the richness of community, and I am excited about how the work of this committee is bringing even greater health and flourishing to our community through encouraging our unity as brothers and sisters as we co-labor in the work of the church.”
For the next six months, the groups continued to read, debate, pray, interview, write and encourage each other. The result was not just a list of recommendations, but an enriched understanding of the beauty of God’s creation in designing men and women as equal and distinct.
In early April, members of the Women’s Leadership and Care Committee met with the elders of the Administrative Commission to go over the recommendations in their report. Randy said afterward, “The time was encouraging for both groups, and the elders left with gratitude for the amazing women God has brought to Midtown and an appreciation of how much we need their leadership and wisdom.”
While Year 1 for the committee was mostly focused on researching, observing and making broad recommendations, the Women’s Leadership and Care Committee is now turning to Year 2 with the goal of crafting materials and resources as well as advising on specific changes in collaboration with the Session. This brings us to our second purpose. While the Midtown leadership first wanted to introduce you to this committee and its mission, we are also asking, on the committee’s behalf, for your input.
The survey below is part of the ongoing work of the Women’s Leadership and Care Committee. Please help us to know the thoughts and needs of Midtown better by answering these questions. Your feedback will help to inform and implement improvements across our congregations so that we can better love, serve and equip all people who call Midtown home.
2023–2024 Women’s Care and Leadership Committee Co-leaders:
Randy Draughon, Granny White and Laura Hohman, East Nashville
Congregational Representatives:
Betsy Browne, East Nashville
Megan Cunningham, West Nashville
Jasmine Davis, Granny White
Jenny Gilbert, Granny White
Emily Heneger, 12 South
Julie Hunt, Granny White
Ashley Jacobs, 12 South
Caroline Markham, West Nashville
Sarah Kemp, Crieve Hall
Brooke Kocher, Granny White
Kelly Moore, West Nashville
Marisa Pardo, East Nashville
Amy Picha, West Nashville
Rachel Roper, 12 South
Patience Ross, Crieve Hall
Helen Simpkins, East Nashville
Catherine Singleton, Crieve Hall
