WOMEN IN MINISTRY. WOMEN AS PASTORS. WOMEN LEADING IN THE CHURCH. THESE FEW STATEMENTS HAVE PROBABLY SPARKED MORE DEBATE AND HAVE CAUSED MORE DISSENTION AND TRAUMA WITHIN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH THAN ANYTHING BEFORE.
I WONDER HOW MANY GREAT AND OUTSTANDING WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF HUMAN HISTORY HAVE GONE UNSEEN AND UNHEARD DUE TO MISINTERPRETATIONS OF SCRIPTURES AND PERSONAL PREJUDICES OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY.
IN FACT, THIS VERY SUBJECT WAS ONE OF THE PINNACLES OF RE-SHAPING MY OWN THEOLOGY BELIEFS. AFTER COMING FROM A BAPTIST COLLEGIATE BACKGROUND INTO THE WESLEYAN – METHODIST TRADITION IN SEMINARY, I HAD TO SERIOUSLY LOOK AT WHERE PREJUDICE HAD THWARTED MY UNDERSTANDING.
WHAT BETTER WAY TO DEAL WITH THE SUBJECT ON WHERE WOMEN STAND IN POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY WITHIN THE CHURCH THAN ON MOTHER’S DAY. IT IS MY PRAYER THAT WOMEN TODAY WILL FIND THEMSELVES MORE WELCOME NOT ONLY WITHIN THE CHURCH, BUT EMPOWERED TO TAKE POSITIONS OF THE CHURCH TO BRING GOD GLORY AND SEE OTHERS COME INTO HIS KINGDOM.
WE CAN LOOK AT BOTH OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS TO FIND MANY WONDERFUL ACCOUNTS OF HOW WOMEN MADE PIVOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO GOD’S WORK.
PERHAPS THE GREATEST EXAMPLE OF REVEALING A WOMAN’S STATUS WAS JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF. I BELIEVE JESUS SURPRISED MANY PEOPLE BY THE WAY HE CARED FOR, TALKED TO, AND RESPECTED WOMEN.
IF JESUS IS OUR EXAMPLE, AND THIS IS HOW HE TREATED WOMEN, THEN MAYBE THE CHURCH SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF HOW CHRIST WOULD INVOLVE THEM IN HIS CHURCH’S MINISTRIES.
DESPITE SOME OBVIOUS DENOMINATIONAL PREJUDICES OVER THE LAST FEW CENTURIES, WE CANNOT OVERLOOK HOW MANY WOMEN HAVE ALREADY BEEN USED FOR GOD’S WORK THROUGHOUT THE SCRIPTURES. FOR EXAMPLE:
OLD TESTAMENT
• Deborah: The only judge (ruler) who gave Israel twenty years of peace: Judges 4-5.
• Eve: The first woman created by God: Genesis2:18-4:2; 4:25.
• Esther: Heroine of the Book of Esther: Esther
• Miriam: Moses’ sister: Exodus 2:4, 7-8; 15:20-21; Numbers 12; 20:1.
• Naomi: Ruth’s mother-in-law: Ruth.
• Rachel: Laban’s daughter: Genesis 29-30; 35:18-20.
• Rahab: Prostitute who live in Jericho: Joshua 2; 6:22-25; Matthew 1:5; James 2:25.
• Rebekah: Isaac’s wife: Genesis 24; 25:19-26:16, 27.
• Ruth: Heroine of the Book of Ruth: Ruth.
• Sarah: Abraham’s wife: Genesis 11-12; 16-18:15; 20-21.
NEW TESTAMENT
• Anna: An old prophetess who practically lived in the Temple: Luke 2:36-38.
• Dorcas (Tabitha): Renowned for caring for the poor: Acts 9:36-41.
• Elizabeth: Related to Mary, the mother of Jesus: Luke 1.
• Joanna: Financial supporter and Disciple of Jesus: Luke 8:3.
• Lydia: Successful business woman who was a follower of Jesus: Acts 16:14-15, 40.
• Martha: Sister of Lazarus: Luke 10:38-42; John 11, 12:1-9.
• Mary: Sister of Lazarus: Luke 10:38-42; John 11, 12:1-9.
• Mary: Mother of Jesus: Matthew 1:18-25; 2:11; 13:55; Luke 1-2; John 2:1-11; 19:25-27; Acts 1:14.
• Mary Magdalene: Financial supporter of Jesus’ ministry; First to proclaim the message of Jesus’ resurrection: Luke 8:2-3; John 20:1-18.
• Nympha: Hosted a church gathering in her home: Colossians 4:15.
• Phoebe: A Deacon in the Church in Cenchrea: Romans 16:1.
• Priscilla: Teacher/Instructor of Apollos: Acts 18:26.
• Susanna: Financial supporter and Disciple of Jesus: Luke 8:3.
THIS LIST, IN AND OF ITSELF, CAN BE ALL THE "PROOF" WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE FACT THAT WOMEN CAN BE USED OF GOD IN HIS WORK WHETHER IT IS HOLDING A CHURCH POSITION SUCH AS A DEACON (PHOEBE), HOLDING A GOVERNMENT OFFICE (DEBORAH), DELVING INTO THE WORLD OF BUSINESS (LYDIA), OR HAVING COME OUT OF A LIFE OF PROSTITUTION (RAHAB), GOD HAS PROVEN HE CAN AND WILL USE WOMEN TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSES FOR HIS GLORY. IT BEHOOVES THE CHURCH TO TAKE NOTE OF HOW GOD CHOOSES TO CALL PEOPLE AND NOT A PARTICULAR GENDER TO ADVANCE HIS WORKS.
AFTER ALL, WHO ARE WE TO TELL GOD THAT HE IS "MISTAKEN" BY ALLOWING WOMEN TO FILL ROLES WITHIN OUR SOCIETY THAT SPECIFICALLY PERTAIN TO ADVANCING THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
SO, WHETHER IT BE BY LECTERN, DESK, PULPIT, AUDIO, VIDEO, OR NOW “POD CASTING,” GOD HAS CALLED US…COLLECTIVELY, A PEOPLE. GALATIANS 3:26-29, “FOR YOU ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS. AND ALL WHO HAVE BEEN UNITED WITH CHRIST IN BAPTISM HAVE PUT ON CHRIST, LIKE PUTTING ON NEW CLOTHES. THERE IS NO LONGER JEW OR GENTILE, SLAVE OR FREE, MALE AND FEMALE. FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. AND NOW THAT YOU BELONG TO CHRIST, YOU ARE THE TRUE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM. YOU ARE HIS HEIRS, AND GOD’S PROMISE TO ABRAHAM BELONGS TO YOU.”
ALTHOUGH ONE MAY NOT BE THOROUGHLY CONVINCED BY THE IMPRESSIVE LIST OF NAMES OF WOMEN, THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT AFTER ONE OPENS THE HOLY WORD OF GOD. THAT’S WHY I WANT TO LOOK PARTICULARLY TODAY AT 1 TIMOTHY 2:11-12.
THIS PARTICULAR PASSAGE MUST BE UNDERSTOOD FROM A HISTORICAL STANDPOINT MORE THAN FROM A SPIRITUAL CONNECTION. WHY? BECAUSE "CHURCH" AS WE KNOW IT TODAY WAS NOT HOW "CHURCH" WAS IN PAUL’S TIME.
CHURCHES OF THIS TIME WERE HELD IN THE PRIVATE HOMES OF VARIOUS CHRISTIANS. THEY DID NOT HAVE SPECIALIZED BUILDINGS LIKE WE HAVE TODAY WITH STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS, PEWS, SANCTUARIES, AND GOLD PLATED RELIGIOUS OBJECTS.
ALSO NOTE THAT DENOMINATIONAL TITLES WERE NOT IN EXISTENCE EITHER. THEY SIMPLY MET TOGETHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST! ACTS 4:32, “ALL THE BELIEVERS WERE ONE IN HEART AND MIND. NO ONE CLAIMED THAT ANY OF HIS POSSESSIONS WAS HIS OWN, BUT THEY SHARED EVERYTHING THEY HAD.”
GIVEN THE FACT THAT "CHURCH" WAS HELD IN A PERSON’S HOME, THE MALE (HUSBAND) OF THAT PARTICULAR HOME WAS THE ONE IN AUTHORITY. THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY PAUL WAS SAYING THAT THE WOMAN (WIFE) WAS TO BE SUBMISSIVE.
BUT PAUL INDICATED THAT THIS TYPE OF SUBMISSION WAS ONLY TO BE TO HER HUSBAND AND NOT TO EVERYONE IN "THE CHURCH." THIS SUBMISSION REFERRED TO MAINTAINING A STRONG MARRIAGE AND STABLE HOUSEHOLD SINCE HER HUSBAND, ACCORDING TO JEWISH TRADITION WAS THE SUPREME AUTHORITY IN THE PRIVATE HOME (EPHESIANS 5:21-24; COLOSSIANS 3:18).
PAUL NEVER MEANT THAT WOMEN SHOULD SURRENDER THEIR MINDS, CONSCIENCE OR PRIVATE JUDGMENT. HE SIMPLY MEANT THAT WHEN "CHURCH" IS HELD IN THE PRIVATE HOME WHERE THE HUSBAND IS IN AUTHORITY, THE WIFE SHOULD NEVER BECOME "UNRULY" OR TRY TO "TURN THE TABLES" ON HER HUSBAND BY TRYING TO TAKE AWAY HIS AUTHORITY OR CONTROL OF THE "CHURCH" MEETING.
SHE IS TO PARTICIPATE IN "SILENCE" AND ALLOW HER HUSBAND TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE MEETING. THE WORD SILENCE HERE DOES NOT MEAN COMPLETE SILENCE OR NO TALKING AT ALL. IT MEANS "IN QUIETNESS, SETTLED DOWN, UNDISTURBED, NOT UNRULY" TO INDICATE THAT A WOMAN’S (WIFE) PARTICIPATION OR INCLUSION IS NOT TO BE PROHIBITED IN THE SERVICES OR LIFE OF THE CHURCH. SHE, LIKE THE REST OF US, SHOULD BE ATTENTIVE AND COURTEOUS TOWARDS THE ONE CONDUCTING THE SERVICE OR TEACHING THE CLASS.
ONE PERSONAL NOTE IS THAT OF PAUL’S STATEMENTS IN VERSES 8, 9, AND 12, PAUL USES THE FIRST-PERSON, SINGULAR "I." HE SAID "I WANT…I WANT…I DO NOT" INDICATING PERSONAL PREFERENCE AND NOT SOME "MANDATORY" COMMAND OF GOD.
THIS PERSONAL PREFERENCE WAS INSTILLED INTO PAUL MOST LIKELY FROM THE CULTURAL NORMS OF HIS DAY. BUT, IN THE END, IT STILL BOILS DOWN TO THE FACT THAT THE CHURCH WAS STARTED BY JESUS CHRIST AND SHE IS HIS BRIDE. THIS "TRUMPS" PAUL’S PERSONAL PREFERENCES OF HOW HE "FEELS" ABOUT WOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT IN THE CHURCH.
THE CHURCH IS CHRIST’S AND IT IS HIS "HOME" AND HE IS THE "HUSBAND" OF THE CHURCH WHICH MEANS HE IS IN SUPREME AUTHORITY OF HIS "HOUSE."
THEREFORE, NOW BECAUSE OF CHRIST, PAUL’S VIEWS MUST BE PUT INTO SUBMISSION BECAUSE THERE IS A NEW HUSBAND OF THE CHURCH. THIS HUSBAND, AS STATED EARLIER, CARED FOR, TALKED TO, AND RESPECTED WOMEN.
IN ALL REALITY, PAUL’S VIEWS OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP EXPRESSED HERE TO TIMOTHY, WERE BASED ON THE PRINCIPLES OF MALE LEADERSHIP IN THE PRIVATE HOME WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN BASED ON THE AUTHORITY THAT JESUS CHRIST GAVE TO EVERYONE IN MATTHEW 28:18-19, TO "GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES."
OF COURSE, A LOT OF THIS REASONING OVER PAUL’S STATEMENTS COULD HAVE COME DUE TO THE FACT THAT WOMEN WERE NEVER GIVEN A CHANCE TO LEARN BEFORE.
THIS COULD ALSO BE PAUL’S GENTLE WAY OF SAYING, "WHOA, SLOW DOWN…LEARN FIRST, THEN TEACH…YOU CAN’T TEACH WHAT YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND."
PAUL’S CONCERN REALLY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH GENDER. THE ISSUE DEALT MORE WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO TEACH SOMETHING THEY DID NOT KNOW.
PAUL WAS NOT SAYING HE DIDN’T WANT WOMEN IN CHURCH POSITIONS. PAUL WAS STATING THAT HE DIDN’T UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE TEACHING IDEAS AND ISSUES THEY HAD NOT FIRST LEARNED TO GRASP THEMSELVES. IT WASN’T A “WOMAN ISSUE” AT ALL.
LET ALL WOMEN FIND THEIR LIBERATION TO BE WELCOMED BACK INTO PLACES THEY WERE ONCE FORBIDDEN. LET US GIVE OUR WOMEN PLACES OF LEADERSHIP, TEACHING, WITNESSING, AND PREACHING WITHIN THE HOLY BRIDE OF CHRIST.
ON THIS MOTHER’S DAY, MAY WE TESTIFY THAT THE LORD HAS GIVEN ALL OF US TALENTS TO USE IN HIS SERVICE. HE HAS GIVEN ALL OF US THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GUIDE US AND STRENGTHEN US. HE HAS GIVEN ALL OF US A PLACE TO SERVE IN HIS CHURCH.
IT IS BY THE GRACE OF THE LORD THAT WE HAVE A WONDERFUL LEGACY OF WOMEN WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
IT IS SUCH A JOY TO KNOW THAT DESPITE PREJUDICE AND MISGUIDED POLITY, THAT WOMEN ARE STILL WILLING TO STEP OUT AND FOLLOW THE LORD IN POSITIONS OF THE CHURCH.
WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL WHEN WE SEE MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, GRANDMOTHERS…MATRIARCHS, WHO ARE WILLING TO SERVE THE BRIDE OF JESUS CHRIST.
WE HAVE A CHURCH OF SERVANT-WOMEN CONTRIBUTING TO THE LORD’S SERVICE IN HER OWN SPECIAL WAY. WE THANK THE LORD FOR ALL WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN WILLING TO SERVE HIM DOWN THROUGH THE AGES AND FOR THOSE WITH US TODAY WHO CAN MODEL THE CHRISTIAN LIFE FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS OF WOMEN WHO WILL, ONE DAY, RISE UP IN THE CHURCH AND FIND THEIR RIGHTFUL PLACE!
