WOMEN IN MINISTRY

Why do I write as much as I do?

I suppose that I have several reasons.

I write to preserve family history, foremost.

I write to share my thoughts with others – who may agree or take issue with my thinking.

I write to entertain! Use the ‘Search’ bar on my blog to explore the topic, HUMOR.  [You’ll find 45 posts listed on about five successive pages. 😉]

I write for pleasure to preserve my thoughts while reading scripture. [My ‘Bible Study’ notes serve as a great starting point for those who may teach or preach upon occasion.]

But today I write to clarify.

Like many others, I do not thrive on confrontation or conflict. However, I am willing to openly share my thought processes. It is – after all – important, at times, to take a stand.

___________________________________

There is a topic that is frequently debated in our culture. The topic is whether or not women should be given the right to lead in ministry settings.

Take notice that it is a cultural debate! Other countries, such as the Philippines, do not see this as an issue whatsoever!  Women ministers abound in quite a few cultures.

For background, I was raised in the Free Methodist Church. It was founded in 1860, and has been ordaining women since 1911. 

But, I’m a free-thinker, and my thoughts are not based purely on my denomination’s stand. I’ve attended a conservative theological seminary and a liberal theological seminary. I’ve read the Bible through many times. I’ve led growing churches and have served with women in ministry and also hired women to serve alongside me! I served – for six years – in conjunction with a woman lead-pastor whom I highly value and consider a mentor!

My point: I’ve thought about this topic a great deal.

_____________________________________

Since my purpose with this blog is to clarify my process of coming to conclusions on the topic of women in ministry, I will try to be succinct.

It seems clear that sometimes we may come to different conclusions even after considering the evidence presented in scripture. This has been solidly demonstrated by the fact that we have so effectively divided ourselves into far too many denominations.

I have tried to form opinions on the foundation of God’s Word. I am well aware of the passages that are quickly quoted from the Corinthian letters, such as:

· “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” – 1 Timothy 2:12

· “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” – 1 Corinthians 14:34-35

· “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach.” – 1 Timothy 3:1-2

[This is a sampling only. There are other scriptures that convey the same thoughts.] 

However, there are other verses that seem to counter the thinking in the above verses: I’ll cite three of them, as well, for consideration:

>     “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.” – Romans 16:1

[We could extrapolate on the words used in the Greek text (of which we have no actual ‘originals'). However, this is not the place for textual criticism.]

>     “He [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” – Acts 18:26

[This scripture highlights Priscilla’s role (she is always named first – ahead of her husband) in teaching Apollos. It exemplifies how women can teach and clarify the faith, even while maintaining supportive roles in partnership with their husbands.]

>    “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.” – Philippians 4:2-3

        [This verse acknowledges two women who worked alongside Paul for the Gospel!]

____________________________________

MY PERSONAL THOUGHT PROCESS

At the core of my discerning process was the clarity I observed when reflecting on the above scriptures AND those that I will now mention.

FIRST

I have always been deeply impressed with the prophetic utterance of Mary, the mother of Jesus, recorded in Luke 1:46-55. This has been carefully preserved for us in God’s Word. The words are precious to us!

Hmmm…the first words spoken under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit – after Jesus’ conception – were divine words spoken by His own mother!

SECOND

I am struck by the message preached by the Apostle Peter on the day of Pentecost, when he quoted the prophet Joel, saying:

“And it shall be in the last days,” God says, “that I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour fourth of My Spirit…”

THIRD

The last thing to push me over the line are the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians:

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28

___________________________________

 I think we can come to different conclusions on the topic of women in ministry and still have fellowship. I don’t think we need to exclude one another over this issue.

After studying in a Catholic community for two years and making MANY precious friends there with whom I worshipped regularly, we had to politely and with discretion, avoid the discussion of certain points from our various traditions. I was not going to change them, and they were not likely to change my thinking and practice. BUT, we had deep and rich fellowship and loved one another in Christ!

I hope my words today have helped and not hurt. I labored to be fair and gracious! I don’t need to convince anyone in order to have rest and peace of mind. Again, my purpose in writing today is to clarify how I came to hold my current position on this topic. Let’s put our hope in the following words from John 16:13,

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;

for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears,

He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

The strategy of 'divide-and-conquer' has been known and used by commanders of armies and war strategists forever.  King David and his armies repeatedly used it in his Old Testament exploits.  

Our spiritual enemy also understands this strategy and employs it against the church of Jesus Christ persistently and effectively.  Our history reveals the effects of this destructive opposition!

Sadly, the story of Christianity is one of division.  We see conflicts emerge even in the New Testament record when Paul's ministry began including non-Jews in the church.  Acts 15 is titled "The Jerusalem Council" and describes the resolution of a conflict regarding these new gentile believers.

Even before that, Paul and Barnabas had a falling out over the inclusion of a young convert named John Mark.  

After the death and resurrection of Christ, over several hundred years the Church had repeated councils that met - sometimes for long periods of time - to try to resolve the theology that would characterize the Church!  Frequently these councils produced creeds that are still used today to define the parameters of our faith!  [Examples: The Nicaean Creed (325 A.D). and The Chalcedonian Creed (451 A.D).

After this defining season of our faith, history entered the period of the 'Dark Ages'.  The Roman Catholic Church stood in distinction from the Orthodox churches of the east throughout this 1000 year span.  

In the fourteenth century the church imploded with the actions of a monk named Martin Luther.  Other reformers like John Calvin, Thomas Cranmer, John Knox, and Henry VIII became involved in the creation and formation of Protestantism in its varied forms.  This process was needed, but was unfortunately marked by instances of desire for selfish gain and subject to manipulation.  

The further dividing of the Church from then to now has been a tragedy that has created a  denominational progeny of a proportion that is nearly unimaginable.  The "body of Christ" has been decimated!

Of late, I've been noticing a manifestation of this brokenness that saddens me.  The political scene in America has become rife with hatred, accusation and division.  It's hard to avoid or ignore the tension it has created in our culture.  Much of this tension and animosity plays out in the social media of our day.

The recent phenomena that I've observed is the condescension of those who are of a mature faith and a higher mind, who seem to be turning on simpler-minded people who see things in a more black-and-white manner.  

Since the Olympics began my observation of this has magnified.  Whether or not you have weighed in on the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics is a personal matter.  Perhaps you didn't even see it and wonder what the hoopla is about?  Some have chosen to defend the supposed portrayal of the Lord's Last Supper by roles that most Christians would find offensive and inflammatory.  

Others have declared themselves by refusing to view the Olympics as a statement of opposition.  Many of these have felt strongly enough in their offense to post about their thoughts in social media forums. Still others - who may represent a greater maturity of faith and a broader willingness to understand the complexities of subtle meanings and artistic forms - have moderately mocked those of simpler faith for their reactive responses even offering more mature, spiritual manners of response.  

Keep in mind that both groups consider themselves to be of common faith - "the body of Christ".  

A certain modicum of grace would be expected to characterize those who would demean, ridicule or disown those of lesser faith and experience.  Proverbs 16:18 comes to mind:  

"Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."  

If the suggestion that this breach of the walls of unity is perpetrated by our spiritual enemy, then we can openly lament this friction and the pain that subsequently follows.  

It is clear that - as people of faith - we must resist and denounce Satan's attempts to divide and conquer the Church!  Those of more mature faith, higher education and deeper understanding and foresight must exercise patience with those whose walk is less established and whose reactive factor may be more volatile.  Biblically it's called GRACE!

It's nice to be right, but it's really important to be genuinely righteous!

A MIRACLE OF COOPERATION

I just finished reading chapter 3 of the Old Testament book of Nehemiah.

THE SETTING
Jerusalem has been destroyed and the people of the land carried off to Babylon for seventy years.  Through God's intervention, they are finally allowed to return with permission to rebuild the city and the Temple.  But progress is slow and discouraging.  They are taunted by local thugs and rulers.

WHAT HAPPENS
God calls a layman, Nehemiah, to go to Jerusalem to help with the work.  He is passionate and has leadership skill.  Nehemiah prioritizes the work and determines that the wall of the city must be rebuilt first!  He challenges the people to focus on that massive project.

THE RESULTS
The people respond to Nehemiah's leadership!  Everyone starts working on the section of wall closest to their home or business.  Brothers work together.  Goldsmiths work.  Perfumers work.  The mayor works.  The priests work.  Families take on whole sections.  Merchants work.  Men from surrounding villages come in to assist with the work.  Women work. 

The wall is completely finished in fifty-two days!  The gates are rebuilt in this time as well!  Something that had been overwhelming - was accomplished in less than two months through good leadership and massive cooperation!

TAKE-AWAY
Can you imagine what would happen if the church could cooperate in its mission like that today?

What if it suddenly didn't matter if you were Presbyterian or Lutheran or Catholic or Free Methodist?  What if all who claim to love Jesus began to work together to do His work?

What might be the result?  What if we went to work repairing the walls of denominationalism?  What if we began to function as though we were on the same team?  What if we pooled resources? 

Now that would be a miracle!