Judges Series #7 Life Cycles
“Women in Ministry”
Review
Last week we addressed the issue of the place of women in God’s plan. We began discussion with a brief summary of attitudes toward women at points in history including the church.
The fact that women have not always been appreciated for whom God made them was abundantly clear. Even in our generation, attitudes are not where they might be. I then tried to summarize God’s attitudes toward women from various Bible passages.
God spoke Adam into being. God “fashioned” Eve. God created THEM.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
God blessed THEM.
And God blessed them. Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. Genesis 5:2
God commissioned THEM to procreate together.
And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth
God commissioned THEM to rule together
and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:28
God declared His work, including the differences between man AND woman, VERY GOOD.
How dare we say anything different? Even Adam immediately recognized an equality and affinity with Eve not observed between any of the previously created creatures.
Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:23
God designed Adam and Eve to cultivate a mutually exclusive oneness.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:24-25
Jesus affirmed this God-ordained unity between male and female. Together they reflect the image of the eternal God. It is clear that God created Adam first. The order carries a significance totally unrelated to personal worth and significance.
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 1 Corinthians 11:8
Headship and authority does not indicate superiority. (How about your boss?) Submission does not indicate inferiority. Jesus willingly and joyfully submitted to the Father but fully understood the reality of their oneness. “I and the Father are ONE.” Everybody lives under the authority of someone yet we don’t consider ourselves inferior. Paul included the same balancing principle in his argument we observed in Genesis.
Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 1 Corinthians 11:11-12
Pau emphasized the cooperating unity between male and female.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
The issue is not that men have less worth because they can’t bear children.
The issue is not that women have less worth because God ordained men to lead.
The issue is not even that men lead because they are smarter or more competent.
When God fashion the woman to be a “helper”, He did not imply weakness but strength.
One only needs to look at the occurrence of this same Hebrew term in the Psalms to understand its place of strength.
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20
But I am afflicted and needy; Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay. Psalm 70:5
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. Psa121:1-2
Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
If anything, Adam needed outside help because of his weakness. Woman was God’s instrument to bring help. Men would do well to understand his need and appreciate the help.
Woman comes from a position of strength not weakness, ability not inferiority. There are obvious differences between men and women but with regard to worth, God views male and female equally.
You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7
As we observed last week, the Bible is full of examples of powerful and influential women. We cited examples from both the Old and New Testaments.
New Testament Examples
We are concerned mostly with the example of women in the New Testament since that is the authoritative source of faith and practice for the church today. Jesus demonstrated high regard for women.
Paul pointed out the contribution of women to ministry numerous times in his writings.
The Holy Spirit came upon both men and women gathered on the day of Pentecost.
They had a teaching ministry. (Priscilla mentioned 6 times, her name is listen first 4 times)
Paul instructed the women in Timothy’s church to teach (1 Tim 2:3)
We find some effective woman evangelists (Lydia, Samaritan Woman)
They exercised the gifts of the spirit.
They held prophetic ministries (Anna, Philip’s four prophetess daughters Acts 21:9)
God powerfully used women in the development of the early church.
Luke cites the “Honorable women” in his record of the early church.(Act 17:4, 12)
Paul listed 23 individuals in his letter to the Romans. 8 out of the 23 were women.
Paul included women along with men as his “fellow-workers” Phil 4:1-3
Timothy’s mother and grandmother taught him the scriptures. (2 Tim 1:5)
Scripture recognized the significant contribution of women to ministry outside of marriage to a man and the raising of children. It appears that women engaged in nearly every ministry activity practiced by men. Women held ministry titles (Deaconess) with specific official qualifications. We are all told to esteem others more important than ourselves; that includes women. Scripture leaves no room for superiority over women. The struggle stemming from the initial rebellion of Adam and Eve birthed consequences not only for marriage but also in the public square.
God ingrained I man the longing for loving companionship and cooperation with woman to fulfill God’s commission to fill up the earth and rule the earth. God instilled in very nature of women a desire to come along side and help the man in fulfilling THEIR God-ordained purposes. The rebellion incurred a curse that twisted these desires. Women now pursued a desire to control her husband in the midst of pain. Men sought to exert control over women in the midst of his toil.
I believe this conflict plays out in the home and life. The transformation of the heart through faith in Christ makes a retune to the original design possible. By the work of the Holy Spirit women return to their partnership with men under their headship. By that same power, men return to their loving leadership.
Paul found it necessary to address certain male female issues that arose in the church.
PROBLEM PASSAGES REGARDING WOMEN IN MINISTRY
Some of the most troubling passages regarding women have to do with ones regulating conduct in a specific assembly or church gathering.
Head coverings 1 Corinthians 11:1-16
This passage addresses the issue of acknowledging God’s chain of command. Several observations from this most difficult passage.
• Paul reminded them of some traditions already taught for public worship.
• There are God ordained protocols in life and worship.
Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
God the Father – Jesus – Man – Woman
• Women participated in public worship along with men as BOTH prayed and prophesied.
Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.
It is clear Paul did not prevent women from participating in public worship.
Both men AND women prophesied.
This is important to keep in mind when we come to later in the letter where Paul instructs women be silent in the churches. It was not the “what” but the “how” that Paul addressed in the Corinthian church. The culture of Corinth included women who were not accountable to anyone. They led morally deplorable lives.
Paul encouraged the Christian women to publicly demonstrate a different life than the culture.
• Men and women’s submission to God’s protocols should be evident in the assembly.
Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.
For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.
For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake. Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
The head covering was a symbol of protection and power.
The covering symbolized that she was covered; protected and empowered.
This willing submission actually was a newfound liberty and empowerment.
• Our practices in public worship affect angelic beings in attendance.
Eve rejected her covering by talking to the serpent on her own. The angels mentioned here could be from either side. Her symbol of submission would indicate that she was under her husband’s protection. It communicated, “Don’t mess with me.” To the holy angels the covering would indicate the glory of God’s order in creation. An uncovered head indicated headship. God ordained men to have direct connection to God concerning leadership responsibilities. Both Jew and Muslim men cover their heads.
• Men and women are mutually dependent on each other.
However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering. But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16
The practical application is that recognition of God’s design for headship be demonstrated I the church. Paul addressed this issue because the cultural practice was different.
Female headship in the church violated God’s original design.
God the Father – Jesus – Man – Woman
In this same letter Paul continued to address the issue of dominant women in the church.
Remain Silent 1 Corinthians 14:33-36
For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? 1 Corinthians 14:31-36
This section of Paul’s letter addressed abuses of spiritual gifts in public worship.
The admonition for women to keep silent seems to go against the early fact that women were praying and prophesying in public worship. This passage seems to focus on the issue of subordination and disregard for order in the assembly. This was a culture where women were not formally taught or ever learned to listen. Now that new freedoms had been granted, abuses appeared. Paul regulated a problem in this particular assembly in response to one of the questions the Corinthians asked Paul to address. Paul urged them to prohibit certain women from disrupting the assembly with their chatter.
Paul again addressed a particular assembly and their issues.
Women not permitted to teach or exercise authority over men 1 Tim 2:9-15
Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint. 1 Timothy 2:9-15
After a clear instruction directed toward men to pray publically with proper attitudes, Paul addressed public involvement concerning women. Timothy pastored the church at Ephesus that was noted for promiscuity and unhealthy public attire and dominance by women. (Goddess worship)
Paul addressed out of control women in chapter 5.
At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. 1 Timothy 5:13
It was a warning against abusing the leadership of the congregation by disrespectful, boisterous actions. This may again be a specific instruction for a specific situation in this assembly. Maybe the women were giving young Timothy a hard time. Paul himself did not allow women to exert authority over God’s appointed church leaders. The word used here is to “lord it over”, take charge, dominate. Paul appealed to God’s order of authority. Paul did not advocate a physical silence but a teachable spirit. Paul also appealed to the general principle of women’s susceptibility to deception.
At a time before the authoritative once-for-all faith was recorded, there was no real safeguard against false teaching. This passage may mean exactly what it appears on the surface, but given the silence in the rest of Scripture, we need to exercise caution in insisting on a universal ban on women in ministry.
CONCLUSIONS
Here is the official CM&A statement regarding women in ministry.
Women may fulfill any function in the local church which the senior pastor and elders may choose to delegate to them consistent with the Uniform Constitution for Accredited Churches and my properly engage in any kind of ministry except that which involves elders authority.
Such positions may include preaching, visitation of church families, new contact visitation, evangelistic visitation, counseling, women’s work of various kinds, children’s work, Bible classes, ministry to shut-ins, youth work, Christian education, prayer meetings, teacher training, and discipleship programs.
• God created, blessed, commissioned, draws and calls both male and female.
• God established a particular order of authority and headship.
• Subordination has nothing to do with superiority, worth, value or contribution (Jesus).
• Men and women equally reflect God’s image.
• Men and women equally may aspire to deeper relationship with God.
• Men and women equally exercise spiritual gifts as distributed by the Holy Spirit.
• Women can aspire to teach if under authority but not as SOLE authority.
Men
• Don’t think yourself superior to women in any way just because God made you head.
• Take your God-ordained spiritual leadership seriously – God will hold YOU accountable for the spiritual development of your family.
• Don’t think you can’t learn anything from a woman. (Timothy)
• All women should be granted honor as fellow heirs of the grace of life.
Women
• Think of submission as a God-ordained protection and power,
• Don’t think that submission to authority means inferior or less valuable.
• You are encouraged to personally strive for the truth.
• Guard your heart and attitudes.
let you beauty be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 1 Pet 3:4
• Embrace and exercise your God-given gifts inside and outside the local assembly.
