IWhile pastoring a church we had a few women who held leadership roles within the church, including an outreach leader, Sunday school teacher, Hospitality Director among the main roles. This church was a small non-denominational church in a small town. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions the church slowly was strangled and eventually died out with the congregation, on my recommendation joined other congregations when the restrictions were lifted. The main reason was because while we were under those restrictions the church building and property were sold. As a small church, weren't able to acquire another property to hold services.
We have now decided to re-ignite our ministry and I would like to discuss the role of women in the church. I must say first that I believe all scripture is God breathed:
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
In the same token another verse has me pondering the role of women in the church
1Ti 2:11-12/ 11.Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12.I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
In doing some research on this I used the co-pilot A.I, just out of curiosity and this what it gave me (copy and pasted):
Women in Leadership Roles in the Church
Exploring Opportunities, Challenges, and Impact
IntroductionWomen have played significant roles in church leadership throughout history, despite varying perspectives and practices among denominations and cultures. This document examines the opportunities available to women in church leadership, the challenges they face, and the positive impact of their contributions.
Historical OverviewFrom the early days of Christianity, women have held influential positions. Biblically, figures such as Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia are recognized for their leadership and service. However, the extent and nature of female leadership have evolved over time, often shaped by theological interpretations and cultural norms.
Contemporary Leadership Roles for Women
Encouraging Female LeadershipChurches seeking to foster women in leadership can:
I would like to now discuss my feelings on this. I will start on the Old Testament words and work up to the New Testament words.
Lets look at Miriam in Exodus
Exo 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.
Exo 15:21 And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
I could be wrong and correct me if I am, but this in todays' standards would seem to be a dual role as a Prophetess/Worship leader.
Another woman we can look at is Deborah in the Book of Judges
Jdg 4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
Jdg 4:5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Jdg 4:6 She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun.
Let's look at one more woman in the O.T.
Huldah in the Book of 2 Kings 22:14-15 ff:
2Ki 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her.
2Ki 22:15 And she said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me,
If you read on to verse 20 in this passage that Huldah is speaking Gods' Word to the people of an upcoming event in prophesizing.
All these women in the O.T. have one thing in common if not more. They all took the lead, each in their own particular situation. Now dive into the New Testament with a couple of women who have taken on leadership rolls.
Priscilla in the Book of Acts
Act 18:26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Here Priscilla's' involvement along with her husband in instructing Apollos highlights her significant contribution to the early Churches Theological development.
One more woman I would like to look at is Phoebe
Phoebe in the Book of Romans.
Rom 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,
Rom 16:2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
The common theme I'm seeing in all these verses is that women, throughout time, have taken some sort of leadership role in one way or another, whether it be in prophesizing to worship leading to teaching and instructions and beyond.
But the question still remains in what was said in 1Ti 2:11-12 So how do I as a pastor resolve what seems to be a conflict of statements in the Bible as a whole?
First of all, I would say The Holy Trinity is the leader of us all and it is to who we bend our knees and worship. If we zoom in on this picture to a more localized view.
As the leader of a local Church, I know Christ is my leader and just as these women we've looked at, I am just a cog in the system of Gods' Will as they were. With that being said it would be up to me using discernment to appoint a woman as some role in leadership (This would apply to any man also) as I believe Christ has poured out gifts on each of us, man or woman. And each should if they recognize which gift is bestowed on to them, these gifts should use them for any particular assembly they are in as we are all under Christs watchful eyes. My vision on this is if carefully and prayerfully considered it may help grow the presence of Christ in a congregation.
We have now decided to re-ignite our ministry and I would like to discuss the role of women in the church. I must say first that I believe all scripture is God breathed:
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
In the same token another verse has me pondering the role of women in the church
1Ti 2:11-12/ 11.Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12.I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
In doing some research on this I used the co-pilot A.I, just out of curiosity and this what it gave me (copy and pasted):
Women in Leadership Roles in the Church
Exploring Opportunities, Challenges, and Impact
IntroductionWomen have played significant roles in church leadership throughout history, despite varying perspectives and practices among denominations and cultures. This document examines the opportunities available to women in church leadership, the challenges they face, and the positive impact of their contributions.
Historical OverviewFrom the early days of Christianity, women have held influential positions. Biblically, figures such as Mary Magdalene, Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia are recognized for their leadership and service. However, the extent and nature of female leadership have evolved over time, often shaped by theological interpretations and cultural norms.
Contemporary Leadership Roles for Women
- Pastors and Ministers: In many Protestant denominations, women serve as pastors, ministers, and reverends, leading congregations, preaching, and administering sacraments.
- Deacons and Elders: Women may be ordained as deacons or elders, participating in church governance and spiritual oversight.
- Directors of Ministries: Women frequently lead specific church ministries such as children’s programs, music, outreach, and community service.
- Theological Educators: Female theologians and educators teach at seminaries and lead Bible studies, shaping theological understanding and nurturing future leaders.
- Lay Leadership: Women serve as board members, committee chairs, and volunteers, influencing decision-making and church operations.
- Catholic and Orthodox Churches: Traditionally do not ordain women as priests or bishops, but women contribute as nuns, theologians, and leaders of religious communities.
- Mainline Protestant Churches: Many, such as the United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), and the Episcopal Church, ordain women at all levels of leadership.
- Evangelical and Pentecostal Churches: Practices differ, with some denominations embracing women pastors and others maintaining more restrictive roles.
- Theological Debates: Differing interpretations of scripture regarding women's authority can create barriers.
- Cultural and Social Resistance: In some communities, traditional gender roles persist, making leadership advancement difficult.
- Representation: Women are often underrepresented in senior leadership or governing bodies.
- Work-Life Balance: Like their male counterparts, female leaders juggle church duties with family and personal responsibilities.
Encouraging Female LeadershipChurches seeking to foster women in leadership can:
- Review and clarify their theological stance on women’s leadership.
- Provide mentorship and educational opportunities for women.
- Promote gender diversity in decision-making bodies.
- Highlight and celebrate the achievements of female leaders in the congregation.
I would like to now discuss my feelings on this. I will start on the Old Testament words and work up to the New Testament words.
Lets look at Miriam in Exodus
Exo 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing.
Exo 15:21 And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
I could be wrong and correct me if I am, but this in todays' standards would seem to be a dual role as a Prophetess/Worship leader.
Another woman we can look at is Deborah in the Book of Judges
Jdg 4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
Jdg 4:5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Jdg 4:6 She sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali and said to him, “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and the people of Zebulun.
Let's look at one more woman in the O.T.
Huldah in the Book of 2 Kings 22:14-15 ff:
2Ki 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her.
2Ki 22:15 And she said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me,
If you read on to verse 20 in this passage that Huldah is speaking Gods' Word to the people of an upcoming event in prophesizing.
All these women in the O.T. have one thing in common if not more. They all took the lead, each in their own particular situation. Now dive into the New Testament with a couple of women who have taken on leadership rolls.
Priscilla in the Book of Acts
Act 18:26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Here Priscilla's' involvement along with her husband in instructing Apollos highlights her significant contribution to the early Churches Theological development.
One more woman I would like to look at is Phoebe
Phoebe in the Book of Romans.
Rom 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,
Rom 16:2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
The common theme I'm seeing in all these verses is that women, throughout time, have taken some sort of leadership role in one way or another, whether it be in prophesizing to worship leading to teaching and instructions and beyond.
But the question still remains in what was said in 1Ti 2:11-12 So how do I as a pastor resolve what seems to be a conflict of statements in the Bible as a whole?
First of all, I would say The Holy Trinity is the leader of us all and it is to who we bend our knees and worship. If we zoom in on this picture to a more localized view.
As the leader of a local Church, I know Christ is my leader and just as these women we've looked at, I am just a cog in the system of Gods' Will as they were. With that being said it would be up to me using discernment to appoint a woman as some role in leadership (This would apply to any man also) as I believe Christ has poured out gifts on each of us, man or woman. And each should if they recognize which gift is bestowed on to them, these gifts should use them for any particular assembly they are in as we are all under Christs watchful eyes. My vision on this is if carefully and prayerfully considered it may help grow the presence of Christ in a congregation.
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