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Sunday School Teacher Fired For Being Female
Since 1946, Mary Lambert has been a member of the First Baptist Church in Watertown, and for the past 11 years, she's been the Sunday school teacher.
But, last Thursday Lambert received a letter from the Diaconate Board telling her that she was dismissed from her position because the board had adopted the scriptural qualifications for Sunday school teachers. In short, this prohibits women from teaching men.
"I was astonished, absolutely astonished to pick up and read that kind of a letter without being talked to ahead of time about the possibility," said Mary Lambert.
The letter Lambert received says, "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became sinner."
The letter was signed, "Thank you for your anticipated cooperation. Very truly yours, Kendra LaBouf." Kendra is the wife of City Council Member and Pastor Tim LaBouf.
"I've had a number of calls from people within the church being as astonished at the letter as I was, and the community at large seems to be at various sides that this could happen," said Lambert.
"And she is a woman, and when we women fought for equal rights for a long time, since 1929 hasn't it been? And anytime a pastor, or somebody who's led by god, they should know Christ in their heart," said Watertown resident Linda Norquest.
News 10 Now did put in calls to both Tim LaBouf and the church for comment, but those calls were not returned. As for Lambert, she said although she's upset, she's not giving up on her church.
Lambert said she feels there's more to her dismissal than the scriptual qualifications. Last month, Lambert and two others were kicked off the Diaconate Board. They were told they were being removed for attendance issues.
Lambert said things started to slowly change at the church two years ago when LaBouf became the pastor.
Since 1946, Mary Lambert has been a member of the First Baptist Church in Watertown, and for the past 11 years, she's been the Sunday school teacher.
But, last Thursday Lambert received a letter from the Diaconate Board telling her that she was dismissed from her position because the board had adopted the scriptural qualifications for Sunday school teachers. In short, this prohibits women from teaching men.
"I was astonished, absolutely astonished to pick up and read that kind of a letter without being talked to ahead of time about the possibility," said Mary Lambert.
The letter Lambert received says, "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became sinner."
The letter was signed, "Thank you for your anticipated cooperation. Very truly yours, Kendra LaBouf." Kendra is the wife of City Council Member and Pastor Tim LaBouf.
"I've had a number of calls from people within the church being as astonished at the letter as I was, and the community at large seems to be at various sides that this could happen," said Lambert.
"And she is a woman, and when we women fought for equal rights for a long time, since 1929 hasn't it been? And anytime a pastor, or somebody who's led by god, they should know Christ in their heart," said Watertown resident Linda Norquest.
News 10 Now did put in calls to both Tim LaBouf and the church for comment, but those calls were not returned. As for Lambert, she said although she's upset, she's not giving up on her church.
Lambert said she feels there's more to her dismissal than the scriptual qualifications. Last month, Lambert and two others were kicked off the Diaconate Board. They were told they were being removed for attendance issues.
Lambert said things started to slowly change at the church two years ago when LaBouf became the pastor.
