Hillside’s First Female Elder
Fayth Steensma
It began with my Aunt Nelle, a woman of intelligence with a real presence of being. In the days when women were not allowed to speak in church, it had been the longing of her heart to be a Bible teacher and preacher. She was always a role model to me. Although I didn’t necessarily aspire to church eldership, her example taught me that a woman could/should be able to use her God given gifts to be anything God called her to be. I have never labeled myself a feminist or tried to break barriers or push my way into the patriarchy. But this is the story of how I served as the first female elder of Hillside - the elder of worship.
In 1986, Hillside’s council opened the office of deacon to women. In 1997, Hillside opened all offices of the church to women. Four years later I was selected as the first female elder. My nomination came about because within the church, just like in my professional life, the jobs I had done before prepared me. I attended the evening woman’s Bible study. At the time it was led by a friend and I was very blessed to be there. But when she moved out of state, she asked me to take her place at Bible study. I enjoyed both the teaching and preparations which required going deeper into God’s word. A year later, I was nominated for the office of worship elder by a woman who had attended that evening Bible study and also knew of my work history at CRC Home Missions.
After the initial surprise of the nomination wore off, I seriously considered: “Is God calling me to this role in the church? Am I truly up for the task of being worship elder?” I was very humbled that someone would nominate me and the possibility that God would call me in such a way. The Holy Spirit brought to mind Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” I knew I couldn’t do it without the Lord, but began to believe I could do it with the Lord. I thought of my education and my other jobs. My education had a music emphasis, and I had been in several types of administrative positions. I was ready.
When the slip of paper with my name on it was drawn from the hat at the congregational meeting in 2001, I knew God had chosen me. This job typically lasts for three years. Having played the pipe organ for 30 years, serving as worship elder fulfilled my love of worship music. My work experience in administration made the rest click efficiently and I was helped by the excellent assistance of our church staff. After two years as an elder, I was asked to stay on for an additional two years as President of Council. Looking through the long lens of my life, I could never have predicted this, yet I could see how it all came together.
The job was not without its challenges. Even though our synod (ruling body of CRC domination) had allowed individual churches to decide the issue of women in office, our classis (Grand Rapids South) had not voted this issue through. No one had yet made an overture to them to vote on it. It was ironic that as president of Hillside’s Council, I was not able to be seated at the classis meetings; another elder had to go in my place. It would be another six years before female elders were welcomed to serve as delegates in our classis. Since that time, women leaders have become an important part of our classis - we currently have a female pastor who often serves as the chair of our classis meetings.
When I was installed as elder, my Aunt Nelle attended the service. She was pleased and proud. This experience as elder at Hillside truly blessed me in using my gifts for God’s glory, answering His call, and trusting in His direction.
*** Interview by Margaret Broersma
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:10