Rural and remote ministries

One aspect of the anniversary of the ordination of women that grieves me is the loss of the Ordained Missionary appointments, and the fact that several rural and remote churches have gone without ministers for years. Because an OM appointment was necessary for ordination, because half-time appointments didn't qualify, and because qualifying vacant churches near each other were in short supply, those who were settling clergy couples in OM appointments decided that it was more important for both partners to be ordained than for rural and remote churches to have ministers, so the OM appointments were done away with. Now that half-time appointments qualify for ordination, it's time for OM appointments to be reinstated, for the good of our rural and remote ministries.