Few conclusions available from surveys of women By John H. Adams The Layman Online Tuesday, December 14,1999 Discerning what women think about women's ministries has suddenly become a cottage industry in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Not all of the answers are in, so conclusions cannot be reached. But this much is known: Hundreds of women (and some men) are being surveyed to find out what they think about the Women's Ministries Program Area and its nine offices in Louisville. The search for opinions is a response to the 1999 General Assembly's required review of Women's Ministries. The review was ordered after commissioners heard numerous complaints that Women's Ministries has sponsored or participated in programs and activities that have been contrary to Presbyterian beliefs, including the National Network of Presbyterian College Women, Sophia worship, ReImagining God and "Women of Faith" awards to two lesbian activists and a leader in the ReImagining God movement. The denomination's Research Services sent out a six-page survey in which women were invited to answer 32 questions. The survey questions include little information upon which respondents might clearly express approval or disapproval. For instance, respondents are not asked to express their opinion about ReImagining God, the National Network of Presbyterian College Women's advocacy of lesbianism or the involvement of many women staff leaders in Sophia worship. The denomination's survey includes a listing of the nine offices in Women's Ministries, with each mentioned in a positive light. For instance, the National Network of Presbyterian College Women "works to minister to the needs of women on college and university campuses and to expand opportunities for leadership development among women." The description does not mention the Network's literature, which the 1999 General Assembly banned, or any controversial activities that resulted in the General Assembly placing the group on probationary status. Another survey was conducted by Voices of Orthodox Women, an evangelical group. The Voices of Orthodox Women survey does spell out the issues, so the answers may be considered accurate reflections of what the respondents believe. For instance, respondents were asked to consider the statement "I find the practice of praying to God as 'Sophia' to be" – and to choose an answer from between 1 "totally offensive" to 7 "totally embraced." Overwhelmingly, the responses were "totally offensive." However, the survey by Voices of Orthodox Women was not sent to a random sample – but to the organization's mailing list of 1,100 congregations and individuals, most of whom support the views of Voices of Orthodox Women. Voices of Orthodox Women has compiled 315 responses to its survey. It has also published its conclusions, including: There seems to be little knowledge of the organization and workings of Women's Ministries. When specific issues are identified, such as Sophia worship and ReImagining God, "there appears to be a wide gap between the women in the pew that we polled and the direction of the national leadership." Many women who belong to Presbyterian Women in their local congregations have "at least psychologically withdrawn from the national organization. They find themselves at odds with programs and emphases of the national body, often use curriculum of their own design and designate their giving." The 1999 Women of Faith awards "were of particular concern to the majority of the people who returned the survey." "The myth of the victimized Presbyterian woman is precisely that – a myth. Uniformly, the vast majority of respondents said they were affirmed as women, that women serve in every area of the church's life and that political and ecclesiological advocacy relative to women's concerns is anachronistic." Voices of Orthodox Women survey results

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