Ever since then, the Disciples have fought for the freedom of individual interpretation. And they have felt that when God's people prayed and studied the Bible together, they would come to an agreement on all the important matters of the faith. Life together is far more difficult when a church like ours attempts to value the differences of individual members. Great faith in the congregation is required to put sensitive matters up for a congregational vote, to be willing to honestly address an issue and to accept the decision of the congregation. Those questions will be answered more by the manner in which we address this issue than by the outcome of the final vote.
Some folks like to group people into one camp or the other.
About that time, Martin Marty wrote an article in Christian Century magazine in which he said he divided religious people into two groups, but his divisions were different from any of the above. And he pointed out that both liberals and fundamentalists can be either mean or non-mean. I pray that we will all belong to the non-mean group whatever our beliefs about the role of women in leadership. Our character is on the line. Our church unity is on the line.