Woman's Pulpit - NZ Methodists Ordain Women 50 Years - Beginning a Vision of IAWM's Future: Some Survey Results

Oct 13, 2026

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Official publication of the International Association of Women Ministers covering two main features: a 50-year milestone celebrating the ordination of women in New Zealand Methodist ministry, including remarks and biographical details about Rev. Dr. Dame Phyllis Guthardt, and an introduction to IAWM’s future based on survey results. The article reports perspectives from members across diverse languages, denominations, life stages, and ministry paths, and highlights the feedback that guides the organization’s plans and priorities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

NZ Methodists Ordain Women 50 Years

Beginning a Vision of IAWM's Future: Some Survey Results

Values of Membership

Who We Are

IAWM Leaders to Be Honored As Presbyterian Women of Faith

July- # Woman's Pulpit September 2010 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN MINISTERS # NZ Methodists Ordain Women 50 Years was ordained in November 1959 at a thinking”when it accepted ordination ofChurch Conference in Wellington.women. The Rev.Dr.Dame Phyllis Guthardt,thefirst woman to be ordained into theMethodist ministry in New Zealand,wasthe honored guest of the 2009 GeneralConference of the New Zealand MethodistChurch last November.IAWM memberPatricia Jacobson reports the churchcelebrated 50 years of women's ordinationat an informal gathering on Saturday,November 7 and in a formal worshipservice on Monday,November 9. "Being first in your field,you have to findGuthardt has a degree in English and aways of doing things that are not theMasters in Biblical Theology.She won aestablished ways,”Guthardt commented.scholarship to Cambridge University inShe added that the events held in herEngland,holds two honorary degrees,washonor on that last November weekendappointed a Dame of the Britishwere not really a celebration of herCommonwealth and sat as pro-chancelloraccomplishments,"but rather a and chancellor of the University ofcelebration of the church's forward Canterbury,reports Jacobson. # Beginning a Vision of IAWM'sFuture:Some Survey Results At the informal gathering on Saturday anumber of women spoke about thechallenges and difficulties of getting intoand being in the ordained ministry."It wasgood to have sharing,people from anumber of ethnic groups,and each with herown story,"said Jacobson. By Linda B.BrebnerCo-President,IAWM At the worship service on MondayGuthardt spoke about some humorousincidents she encountered in the time shewas training,and the attitudes towardwomen in ministry that she encountered.She said it was suggested that she be “seenand not heard,"which decree she followedfor some years and then she decided thiswas not helping anyone,least of all herself.After reaching that decision,she said,shespoke out. In a newspaper article from theChristchurch Press on November 7Jacobson learned that in 1953 Guthardt feltthe call to ministry “again,only this time itwas irrevocable and clear—a luminousmoment.”She decided to study for theordained ministry. There was no law against female clergy atthat time,only tradition.Responding to her,the superintendent of her Christchurchparish said female ministers had been“awashout overseas,"and the door wasclosed. "But I,being headstrong,willful andobstinate,said I would go through my homeparish of Nelson,"said Gudhardt.So at 23she sat before a committee of 70 men andone woman and was accepted.In 1954 shebegan three years of study among 60 malestudents at Trinity College,Auckland.She First of all,Co-president Mary Green and I would like to thank all who returned theirsurveys,which included valuable and interesting input.We got a return of almost30%,which is excellent.Most sociological surveys with a 10%return are consideredto be very fortunate.For this article I have chosen to share some of the diversityreflected in the surveys as well as some of the input of what members value about IAWMand where they believe we may befailing to fulfill our potential.The nextarticle will share ideas and concerns ofways the executive board and theAssembly have decided to move ahead inthe near future interesting and more challenging.More than half of our sample ofmembers are married,while about aquarter have always remained single.Theother quarter identify themselves aswidowed,partnered or divorced. While most have served in parishministry much of their careers,there arethose who have chosen to go by differentpaths into seminary teaching and/oradministration,chaplaincy in hospitals,retirement homes,and hospice programs,pastoral counseling,denominationaladministration,mission work,campusministry,spiritual direction,and the listgoes on!Some during their years inministry have created innovative anddynamic ministries never before tried.And tha

FAQs

What does the document highlight about women’s ordination in the New Zealand Methodist church?

It highlights the 50-year celebration of women’s ordination, including events honoring the first woman ordained into Methodist ministry in New Zealand, Rev. Dr. Dame Phyllis Guthardt.

What kind of information does the document present from IAWM members’ surveys?

It summarizes diversity and perspectives reflected in survey responses, including membership tenure, marital status, languages spoken, and the variety of ministry paths and values members place on IAWM.

Who are described as being honored at the Presbyterian Women of Faith event?

The document names Rev. Margaret E. Howland and Rev. Elizabeth Knott as among the IAWM leaders honored at the Women of Faith breakfast during the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly, along with Elona Street-Stewart and Joyce Uyeda.

Oct 13, 2026

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