The university must examine the role women play in Chapel, bearing in mind Chapel’s purpose and the goals of the 21st Century Vision.

A comprehensive look ought to establish better uniformity, eliminating the alienation students have accused Chapel of causing in the past.

Now, the Chapel office defines women’s roles based on the Church of Christ practice that does not allow a woman to hold authority over a man.

“Certain areas of involvement are predetermined,” according to the Chapel Web site. “Approved male roles include leading worship, reading Scripture, praying, giving the presentation and presiding. Approved female roles include giving the presentation.”

Setting aside the theological debates of whether or not a woman should be allowed to read Scripture or lead a prayer in a worship service, ACU must remember that Chapel is not church. Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president of Student Life, wisely told the Optimist he considers Chapel from the perspective that this institution is a university- not a church.

At an institution of higher learning, women and men play an equal part. Women instruct students; women hold leadership positions.

If ACU plans to truly seek the diversity it says it does in the 21st Century Vision, it must bear in mind that a diverse audience could be deterred by these regulations.

According to Chapel survey results from the fall semester, only 58 percent of the 2,129 students who responded claim a Church of Christ heritage – little more than half. The community continues to grow more diverse each year and will likely continue to do so.

To abandon its Church of Christ heritage is not necessary – but to approach Chapel as a spiritual component of an academic pursuit is to remember it is not a church service.

When Dr. Thompson heard the Student’s Association’s critiques of Chapel, the greatest emotion the representatives showed was when the discussion of women’s role in Chapel arose. Students cheered in support of allowing them to take on a broader role.

Most surveyed students reported they were comfortable with expanding women’s role in Chapel – 65 percent supported reading Scripture, 54 percent leading prayer and 53 percent leading worship. Clearly, the student body seeks a change – only 19 percent said nothing should change.

In addition to considering the way Chapel will affect ACU’s 21st Century Vision goals, administrators should also note current inconsistencies in regards to women’s role in Chapel.

Women are allowed to lead small group Chapels across the campus, and about 20 women sponsor Thursday Chapels. The university sends a conflicting message when it allows women to lead Chapel in classrooms but not in Moody Coliseum.

ACU should remember its role as an institution of higher learning and establish a more uniform policy for women’s
role in Chapel.