United Methodist clergywomen in the Florida Conference were invited to read and respond to the findings of a recent University of Florida study on the issues clergywomen face today.

Of those who responded, most said they agreed with the findings and shared experiences of rejection and job-related stress. Many said they have also had very positive experiences.

The Rev. Debbie McLeod, associate pastor at Christ Church United Methodist in Ft. Lauderdale and chairwoman of the Florida Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, said the article was "very negative" and mention of the positive experiences clergywomen have had were left to the end of the article.

While she has been a pioneer in each of her ministry settings, McLeod says she prefers not to dwell on the struggles.

"As Christians, we are called to reach out to a hurting world that needs to know Jesus," she said. "We are not called to count the cost."

The Rev. Ann Hutchens, pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Orlando, says there are considerable costs to count.

She said she is behind her male classmates in compensation and has "experienced considerable prejudice as a pastor," including being stalked by someone who was not a member of her church even after she was reappointed.

Riddle said that although many people can accept a woman physician before a woman pastor, she has had some "success stories" in non-traditional settings.

As a founding pastor of a new church, she said "seekers…don’t have many expectations, so they were open to the pastor of the new church, whatever they look like."

In her current appointment, Ortega United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, she says the strong military influence creates respect for the "command post and…authority," regardless of whether it is a man or woman.

While experiences have varied, so do the ways in which clergywomen deal with the stress of their ministries.

Hutchens said she deals with daily pressures, including caring for an aging parent, through regular meetings with a Roman Catholic nun who acts as her spiritual director to offer guidance and support.

Having "an absolute focus on God who calls us" is what helps the Rev. Robbi Walker, pastor of St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Winter Park, be more healthy and effective.