Jann Aldredge-Clanton

Jann Aldredge-Clanton (born 1946 in Abilene, TX) ^[1] is an ordained Christian minister, author, teacher, and chaplain, who leads workshops and conferences throughout the United States. She has authored nine books, three hymnbooks, a children’s musical, and a children’s songbook.^[2] She has also published many articles in publications such as Christian Feminism Today, The Journal of Pastoral Care,^[3] The Christian Ministry, and Patheos. She specializes in feminist theology and inclusive worship resources.

Ordained in the Alliance of Baptists, she ministers in ecumenical and interfaith settings. She serves as co-chair of the national ecumenical, multicultural Equity for Women in the Church Community,^[4] on the council of Evangelical and Ecumenical Women’s Caucus-Christian Feminism Today;^[5] adjunct professor at Richland College, Dallas, Texas;^[6] and on the Dallas Workers’ Rights Board.^[7]

Her diverse career includes serving as consultant in the internship programs at Perkins School of Theology and Brite Divinity School; Associate Pastor, St. John's United Methodist Church, Waco, Texas; Executive Director, Waco Conference of Christians and Jews; Pastoral Counselor, Samaritan Counseling Center of Central Texas; Chaplain, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas; Chaplain, Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center, Waco, Texas; English professor, Dallas Baptist University.^[8]

Bibliography and Musical Works

• She Lives! Sophia Wisdom Works in the World (Skylight Paths Publishing, 2014) Letha Dawson Scanzoni says in “telling the stories of real people” the book “helps us move beyond the limited gender binary to see God as both male and female, yet strictly speaking, neither male nor female, and at the same time inclusive of all gender identities.” She adds the book would make an “excellent selection” for a book club or study group.^[9]
• Earth Transformed with Music! Inclusive Songs for Worship, with composer Larry E. Schultz (Eakin Press, 2015). "Earth Transformed with Music! is a collection of 65 hymns and short songs, with words ... that are meant to heal and transform the earth, society, and each individual singer. Reading the introduction and notes section is like reading an introduction to contemporary Christian feminism.” ^[10]
• Changing Church: Stories of Liberating Ministers (Cascade Books, 2011)
• Inclusive Hymns for Liberation, Peace, and Justice, with composer Larry E. Schultz (Eakin Press, 2011). This inclusive language hymnal provides a “balance of male-female divine images [allowing] women and girls, men and boys a greater sense of the wholeness of God’s good creation.” ^[11]
• Seeking Wisdom: Inclusive Blessings and Prayers for Public Occasions (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2010) Liturgical resource using inclusive language.
• Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians, with composer Larry E. Schultz (Eakin Press, 2006). A hymnal with new "texts that sing easily and carry some of the ‘feeling-content’ of older texts that have been sung to these tunes, while moving us into a new theological space.” ^[12]
• Breaking Free: The Story of a Feminist Baptist Minister (Eakin Press, 2002) An autobiographical work.
• Praying with Christ-Sophia: Services for Healing and Renewal (Twenty-Third Publications,1996; Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2007) This book includes hymns and rituals for seasons of the liturgical year, such as Advent and Pentecost, as well as rituals for mourning loss, for wise aging, for healing, for peacemaking, and for baby dedications. One reviewer calls the book an “impressive collection of litanies, prayers, and hymns.” ^[13]
• In Search of the Christ-Sophia: An Inclusive Christology for Liberating Christians (Twenty-Third Publications, 1995; Eakin Press, 2004) This book explores the biblical and historical connection between Christ and Wisdom (Sophia in the Greek language of the Christian Scriptures). Rosemary Radford Ruether calls the book “ground-breaking” and a “’must’ book for all concerned with an inclusive and liberating theology and church.”^[14]
• Imagine God! A Children’s Musical Exploring and Expressing Images of God, with composer Larry E. Schultz (Choristers Guild, 2004).
• In Whose Image? God and Gender (Crossroad, 1990; revised and expanded edition, 2001) Selected “Editors’ Choice” in The Other Side magazine and described as a “wonderful resource for people moving toward both a more inclusive theology and a more inclusive worship style.” The review continues: “In a style well-suited for church discussion groups, Jann Aldredge-Clanton affirms ‘the unlimited God’ of Scripture, explores the interaction of God-language and self-esteem in women, and proposes various models for change.” ^[15]
• Counseling People with Cancer (Westminster John Knox, 1998) The Princeton Seminary Bulletin refers to the book as “compelling,” assisting people to reflect on their cancer experiences and “encouraging” them “to tell their stories” and to expand their images of the Divine.^[16]
• God, A Word for Girls and Boys (Glad River, 1993; Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2007).
• Sing and Dance and Play with Joy! Inclusive Songs for Young Children, with composer Larry E. Schultz (Lulu, 2009).

Feminist Theology and Inclusive Language

Since 1990, Jann Aldredge-Clanton has been writing, speaking, and preaching on feminist theology and specifically on including female language for the Divine as a foundation for equality, justice, and peace.

In her introduction to Changing Church: Stories of Liberating Ministers she writes: “My vision is for the Divine Feminine to shine forth in all Her glory in multicultural visual imagery and in the language of worship, supporting equal partnership of women and men. My vision is of a church where the Divine Feminine and women ministers don’t have to be defended or marginalized, but are fully and equally included throughout every worship service and every activity of the church. My vision is for the Sacred Feminine to be worshipped not only in Christian congregations, but in every religion all over the world, and for women to share equally in the leadership of every religion. My vision is for girls to believe they are equal to boys because they hear and see the Supreme Being worshipped as ‘She’ as well as ‘He.'” ^[17]

Many traditionalists are critical of Aldredge-Clanton's views. Plumeline, a conservative Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) publication, criticizes the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) for Aldredge-Clanton’s leadership at a CBF annual gathering: “The SBC has no feminist theologian leaders calling for the worship of the ‘Christ-Sophia.’ But the CBF does. Jann Aldredge-Clanton conducted a breakout session at the 1995 General Assembly and is a promoter of feminist theology. She is the cited ‘leader’ who espouses ‘Christ-Sophia.’” ^[18] Additionally The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, an evangelical organization opposing an egalitarian view of gender, takes the organization, Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE), to task for including Aldredge-Clanton’s children’s book, God, A Word for Girls and Boys, in the CBE webstore.^[19]

Aldredge-Clanton served as one of the contributors for the CEB (Common English Bible) Women's Bible.(Common English Bible; Sew edition, 2016)^[20]

Inclusive Worship Resources

Aldredge-Clanton writes and publishes inclusive language Christian worship resources, including prayers, responsive readings, hymns set to familiar tunes, and even a children's musical.

One of the conservative critics of inclusive theology and language, Russell D. Moore, warns that the children’s musical by Jann Aldredge-Clanton and composer Larry E. Schultz, Imagine God! A Children’s Musical Exploring and Expressing Images of God is “dangerous” because “feminist theologians are correct indeed that it is easier to transform the imaginations of children in thinking about God.” Moore continues his critique writing, “What is at stake here are [sic] not whether the church will accommodate more ‘gender-inclusive’ language, but instead the doctrines of God and revelation—and indeed the gospel itself.” ^[21]

Aldredge-Clanton is one of the founders of the New Wineskins Community in Dallas, TX, USA. The New Wineskins Community was founded because "We’re all in deep need of healing. We can never be all we’re created to be in the divine image until we expand our image of the Divine. That’s why New Wineskins Community creates rituals that name and image the Divine as female and male and more. Our words and images for the Divine carry great power to shape belief and actions for justice and peace.^[22]

Honors

Aldredge-Clanton’s hymns have received numerous honors.^[23] “Renewing, Reforming the Church in our Day” won in the category of “New Hymn Text for Traditional Hymn Tune” in United Theological Seminary’s first annual song and hymn writing competition; the judges commented that this text “has outstanding theological significance in church renewal.” ^[24] In 2013, the Religious Institute selected Aldredge-Clanton’s “Praise the Source of All Creation” as the winner of its first hymn contest.^[25] In 2011, St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, sponsored a hymn contest in celebration of 25 years of Jesuit leadership; her hymn “Celebrate Our Maker’s Glory” won third place.^[26] “We Come in Celebration” won honorable mention in the 2012 Alliance of Baptists hymn contest.^[27] “O Loving Creator, We Labor with You” won honorable mention in the 2007 international hymn contest sponsored by Macalester Plymouth United Church of St. Paul, Minnesota.^[28]

Personal Information

A native of Louisiana, Jann Aldredge-Clanton received the B.A. summa cum laude in English from Louisiana Polytechnic University, the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Texas Christian University, and the M.Div. from Southwestern Theological Seminary.^[29]

Aldredge-Clanton is married to David Clanton, and lives in Dallas, Texas. They have two sons and three grandsons.

External links

• Jann Aldredge-Clanton’s website and blog
• Jann Aldredge-Clanton’s YouTube Channel
• Evangelical & Ecumemical Women’s Caucus-Christian Feminism Today
• Equity for Women in the Church
• "Revolution Through Rituals," an article by Jann Aldredge-Clanton, published in Feminism and Religion, December 12, 2014.
• Letha Dawson Scanzoni of Christian Feminism Today interviews Jann Aldredge-Clanton
• “She Lives! Sophia Wisdom Works in the World,” teleconference sponsored by Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER), May 4, 2015.
• “Expanding the Image of the Divine to Include the Feminine,” interview with Justine Willis Toms, New Dimensions Radio, November 15, 2015.
• “Why Inclusive Language Is Still Important,” an article by Jann Aldredge-Clanton, published on Christian Feminism Today, February, 2013.
• “God Is Not a Guy and Neither Am I,” an article by Jann Aldredge-Clanton, published on Christian Feminism Today, May, 2013.
• Anne Leggett-Walker, “New Wineskins, Ancient Divine,” Moonlady.com, 2014.
• "Sing of Peace,” a description of the Christmas album with Jann Aldredge-Clanton’s inclusive lyrics to familiar Christmas tunes, sung by Devi Vaani.
• "’Blessing Every Love Relation’: A Pride Month Hymn,” in Feminismxianity: Patheos, June 29, 2015.
• “At the Intersections: Justice and the Divine Female,” Feminismxianity: Patheos, October 21, 2014.

References

1. http://digitalcollections.baylor.edu/cdm/ref/collection/buioh/id/2646 Oral Memoirs of Jann Aldredge-Clanton, Baylor University Institute for Oral History; also see Breaking Free: The Story of a Feminist Baptist Minister Eakin Press, 2002
2. http://www.skylightpaths.com/page/category/aldredge-clanton
3. http://pcc.sagepub.com/content/48/1/25?patientinform-links=yes&legid=sppcc;48/1/25
4. http://equityforwomeninthechurch.org/board-members-test2/
5. https://eewc.com/about/
6. https://richlandcollege.edu/schedules/emeritus/schedule/?s_semester=spring&s_heading=writing&s_year=2016
7. http://wrbdallas.blogspot.com/2011/09/workers-rights-board-meeting-sept-3.html
8. http://www.jannaldredgeclanton.com/biography.php
9. Scanzoni, Letha Dawson. "Review of She Lives! Sophia Wisdom Works in the World" Christian Feminism Today, September 2014. https://eewc.com/BookReviews/sh-lives-book-jann-aldredge-clanton/
10. Herder, Marg. “Review of Earth Transformed with Music! Inclusive Songs for Worship,” Christian Feminism Today (December 2015), (https://eewc.com/BookReviews/earth-transformed-with-music-inclusive-songs-for-worship/
11. Rock Poti, Nancy. “Review of Inclusive Hymns for Liberation, Peace, and Justice,” The Hymn: A Journal of Congregational Song, vol. 63, no. 3 (Summer 2012), 52.
12. Michaels, Patrick. “Review of Inclusive Hymns for Liberating Christians,” The Hymn: A Journal of Congregational Song, vol. 58, no. 3 (Summer 2007), 57
13. James, Beverly Wallis. Review of Praying with Christ-Sophia: Services for Healing and Renewal by Jann Aldredge-Clanton. The Christian Ministry, May–June 1999. and https://www.amazon.com/Services-Healing-Renewal-Praying-Christ-Sophia/dp/0896226972
14. http://www.amazon.com/Search-Christ-Sophia-Christology-Liberating-Christians/dp/1571687874
15. The Other Side (January–February 1991), 47
16. Dykstra,Robert C. Review of Counseling People with Cancer by Jann Aldredge Clanton. Princeton Seminary Bulletin vol 21, no. 2, 2000, 267-268
17. Aldredge-Clanton, Jann. Changing Church: Stories of Liberating Ministers. Cascade Books, 2011.
18. Plumbline 69 (October 1998), 30, http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/baptist/analy_r05.html
19. “Our Mother Who Art in Heaven,” Gospel, Gender, Flourishing: The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (November 1, 2003), http://cbmw.org/uncategorized/our-mother-who-art-in-heaven/
20. http://www.commonenglishbible.com/files/uploads/CEBWBEditorsandContributors-1.pdf
21. “’Mother God’ Goes to Children’s Church,” SBC Life: Journal of the Southern Baptist Convention (August 2004), (http://www.sbclife.net/Articles/2004/08/sla9)
22. http://www.jannaldredgeclanton.com/wineskins.php
23. http://www.choristersguild.org/document//43/
24. “United Theological Seminary Announces Song and Hymn Writing Competition Winners,” prweb (July 22, 2012), (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/7/prweb9721520.htm)
25. “Worship Resources—Hymns,” Religious Institute (February, 2013), (http://www.religiousinstitute.org/worship-resources-hymns/)
26. “Recent Hymn Contest Winners,” The Hymn Society: The Verse: a Monthly Newsletter (June 2011), (http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs078/1104039006581/archive/1106341163774.html)
27. “They Write the Songs that Make the Whole World Sing!” Alliance of Baptists Blog (March 12, 2012), (http://allianceofbaptists.org/PCP/alliance_blog_detail/they-write-the-songs-that-the-make-the-whole-world-sing).
28. “List of Winning Hymns,” Macalester Plymouth United Church (2015) (http://www.macalester-plymouth.org/historyofthempuchymncontest.htm)
29. http://www.choristersguild.org/document//43/