is one woman expressing herself.

I DON'T WANT to be a preacher - or an

elder - or a deacon.

I DON'T WANT to attend a church where

women hold these offices.

I DON'T WANT to be "reorganized" into

membership on committees with such

vague titles as "Leadership and Resources"

or "Ecumenical Mission and Relations.

So, I'm old-fashioned--not at all in tune

with the times. But I'd rather be in tune

with the Lord, and I find His tuning

 instrument, the Bible, the most up-to-date

Book I know.

One of the bright young ministers who

does quite a bit of the program material for

the Presbyterian Church, US, wrote me of

his "concern" about people in the Church

"who are disturbed if anyone uses 

unfamiliar words or striking phrases to interpret

or express the message which God is telling

through the Bible." I'm concerned too, as

some of these "striking phrases" strike me

as being radical departure from the truth.

The Bible is full of striking phrases too, as

well as timely answers to every problem

this generation faces. Like the Author, the

Book is "guaranteed" for Eternity.

Somehow I don't feel that the present

plans for the Women of the Church were

made with the Bible as the Guide.

Let's take a look.

Generally speaking, women are enjoined

 in Scripture not to "usurp authority

over the man"; to "be in subjection"; to "be

in behavior as becometh holiness"; to adorn

themselves with "meek and quiet spirit.

Specifically, those first deacons were

"seven men of honest report"; "husbands

of one wife." An elder was to be "blame-

less, husband of one wife"; "One that

ruleth well his own house, having his 

children in subjection with all gravity;

(for if a man know not how to rule his

own house, how shall he take care of

the Church of God?)" 

"Morever he must have a good

report of them which are without: lest he

fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."

"Lots of masculine nouns and pro-

nouns there-no females mentioned!"

Looking back at some of the women of

the Bible, we get a very clear ideal for His

"Woman of the Church."

There is Naomi, with her loving, 

planning, and prayers that her 

daughter-in-law Ruth, would come to know

her Lord. Those prayers came to fruition

in a godly home, composed of Ruth, 

Boat, the baby Obed,

and a happy grandmother. "And Naomi

took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and

became nurse to it. 

Elisha's "great woman" fed him each

time he passed by, and furnished a room

where he could rest from his journeys. That

room was the first "prophet's chamber.

Why was this woman great? Because she

had a great God, and under His guidance,

her home became a haven for God's

servant.

The "virtuous woman" of Proverbs 31 is

pictured in her home as one who cares for

her husband, children and the servants,

cooking, sewing, farming. In addition to all

this, she "stretcheth out her hand to the

poor," and is even a success in the busi-

ness world. "Her children arise up and call

her blessed; her husband also, and he

praiseth her." What a eulogy! With such

energy, wisdom, and efficiency, she could

help "run" any church. But note: it is her

husband who "is known in the gates, when

he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Mary and Martha were witnesses to one

of the greatest miracles of all, the raising

of their brother from the dead. What an

opportunity to go out and preach-a first

hand experience of Christ's power! But we

find them worshiping at His feet, ministering

 to His needs In their home-the home in

Bethany that Jesus loved.

Remember Dorcas, whom the Lord

raised up when Peter prayed, the one for

whom so many wept, "shewing the coats

and garments which Uorcas made?" She

was "full of good works and alms deeds" -

a valuable woman, to her friends, 

to her church, to her Lord.

Lydia, the first European convert, was a

prominent business woman, and with her

wealth and managerial ability, would have

made a good church officer, but instead she

opened her home to Paul and Silas and

Luke, and made it a place of worship.

There are so many more-these women

of the Bible, God's example of what He

would have His Women of the Church to

be-loving, gracious, kind, hospitable, 

industrious, holy. I believe He

wants women to be different. He made

us that way Though it may appear 

I'm all "negative, there are many things

 I do want, positively.

I want to be a Christian wife, one who

loves deeply, honors, and obeys her 

husband, praying with him, working

with him to establish a home 

where Christ is Lord.

I want to be a Christian mother, 

providing a haven where there is

not only love and comfort and security

for my children, but an atmosphere 

which recognizes Christ's Presence in every

activity. I want to teach them about

the, Lord Jesus, to instruct them in holy living

I want to be a devoted friend, a good

neighbor, and a faithful citizen in my 

community, testifying not only with

my lips, but by my life to the love of Christ

and the power of the Holy Spirit.

I want to take an active part in the work

of the church, that part which is so 

distinctively "women's work," so important

In promoting the unity of the Spirit

among the brethren.

I want to be a woman of prayer, to set

aside time each day to be with the Lord, to

feed on His Word, to be always conscious

of His nearness.

These are some of the things I want

As for attainment? How far short I fall in

each of them. How great my need for

constant renewing at the Throne of Grace.

For, above all, what I want most is the

will of God for my life.

August. 1998