STEPPING STONES

THE ROLL OF WOMEN IN CHURCH MINISTRY

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” “Though he fall, he shall not utterly be cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.”
In these last days God is pouring out his spirit upon his “sons and his daughters” to carry the good news message to a lost world. Paul’s famous instruction that women should keep silent in the churches and not...speak (I Cor.14:34,35) is still much misunderstood by being divorced from its local and contemporary context. Paul has earlier discussed what is meant by the subordinate status of women(I Cor.11:3,11). He is keenly aware of the need for emancipated christian women to avoid unnecessary scandal through flouting the social conventions of the day. Women had to be wise in using their newly-given liberty in Christ, Paul is here protesting against the disturbance of services by feminine chatter-the meaning of speak in vv. 34,35. Some women (they sat apart from men) were perhaps calling out questions, and commenting knowingly on things said in the service. Paul did not condemn women to complete silence in church for he mentions some able to prophesy (11:5; cf. Acts 21:9), and this was a gift exercised in public. Paul’s injunction also has positive value. A woman’s femininity and so her influence (I Peter 3:2) are alike enhanced by the practice of silence. Men too are told to be silent on occasions (vv.28,30). Only in quietness should the word of God be heard and absorbed.

The prophesy of Joel 2:28 is fulfilled in that God pours out his Spirit upon the daughters, and they prophesy. A few of the Biblical prophetesses were: Miriam; Deborah; Huldah; Isaiah’s wife; Anna; and the daughters of Philip. Acts 2:17,18;21:9 speak of daughters and handmaidens who through the inspiration of God prophesied God’s word. A prophet by definition is: a person who, by divine inspiration, declares to the world the divine will and judgments of God. It is not a message kept to one’s self, but publicly proclaimed.

It is of vital importance that all children of God respond to God’s calling and leadership. The evidence of true calling is the spiritual fruit. “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them “ (Matt.11:5). These were the works of Jesus during the first century. These are the same works Christ is doing through his sons and daughters today. The only limitation of these works is our faith in God. He is able!

Biblically, prophesying (ICor.11:5) cannot be legitimately separated from authoritative teaching and preaching. If women and men stand on equal footing in Christ, ecclesiastical equality cannot be denied (Gal.3:27,28),(Acts 2:17). “We are one in Christ Jesus.” In the spiritual realm, there “is neither male nor female.”

It is a woman1st privilege to teach children and younger women;II Tim.1:5;3:14,15; Tit.2:3,4. Does God’s ministry through women end here? “Our sufficiency is of God; (IICor.3:5,6) who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit” for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life.”

In whatever ministry you are called, you must “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall (IlPeter 1:10). “For the gift and the calling of God are without repentance” (Rom.11:29). Women are ministers because:they “wear” Christ (Gal.3:27,28) and “obey“ Christ (ITim.2). The women who witnessed the empty tomb ran back to spread the good news. The woman at the well went into the city and told all about the Christ she had just met.

Leadership in the church is a function in the organization (body of Christ). Christ is the head of this body. It is always the Holy Spirit that leads the true church of God. The true worship service always edifies God above all else. Because men and women view the world in different ways, the church leadership team is enhanced by both. The pastor who serves God and ministers to the people is a treasured gift and a great asset to the church. Our “calling and election” is sure.

Male and female are created in His image. No one can demand ordination; it is a call from God. The ordained ministry is called into being for the royal priesthood- for the community-to enable it to be itself and to make its witness in the world. “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness” (IICor.12:9).

The sexes are fundamentally different but potentially the same. The church can never be used as a feminist platform. Nor can it be used for political promotion. The church is the holy bride of Christ. It is spiritually the body of Christ and must never be defiled by worldly lusts and desires. Within God’s holy word the absolute and true are found. The opinion of man outside of the word of God is absurd and profane. The profane is subject to change. The sacred is unquestionably adhered to, is enduring and gives life its meaning.

The challenge is to understand and to live God’s word; to be lead of the Holy Spirit in discernment of the authentic and true. The divinely inspired womans’ voice is not silent. The womens’ voice is not merely “a still small voice.” Womens’ voice may also be the voice of God.

theosphos(1998)

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