Last week, I shared how we respond to feedback about the volume of the music and the depth of the teaching. Today, I want to share my answer to the question about teaching women. It’s quite a complex topic, so this blog post is longer than my usual posts.
women teaching
About a year ago, I came to the conclusion that a teaching team is more effective than a single voice in bringing consistent biblical teaching to the people of Oak Leaf Church. Instead of the lead pastor teaching 50 weeks a year, we made an effort to engage other speakers who would bring a different perspective and style to the platform. One of the people we added to the teaching team was Suzy Jordan. Suzy, as you may have already determined, is a woman.
While the vast majority of our church has appreciated this change (after all, Suzy is an excellent, engaging, and biblically knowledgeable speaker), a small number have raised theological concerns. Of course, we study the scriptures in advance and make our decision on our findings. The following paragraphs summarize my position.
In a nutshell, while we believe the Bible is clear that the role of Senior Pastor, Senior Elder, or Senior Pastor should be a man, we also believe the Bible not only allows but encourages women to hold leadership positions. in the church.
The Bible
While time and space do not allow for a full discussion of what the entire Bible has to say on the subject, a few passages are worth mentioning.
In 1 Timothy 2, Paul discusses the roles of women in the church. He talks about clothing, praying in public, and leadership. These passages have sparked wild debate, some of which have resulted in lively and scholarly discussions, while others have resulted in division and denominational superiority.
Paul specifically says, “I do not allow women to teach or have authority over a man; she must be silent.” Most scholars agree that Paul is not talking about use authority, but usurpthe. I don’t think this passage is a blanket statement that prohibits women from using the gift of teaching in the church.
Even if this were the case in 1 Timothy 2:12, we do not find these same warnings in other letters from Paul, indicating that this may be a specific response to a specific problem. Craig Keener believes that Paul was referring specifically to the expression “unlearned” women who were spreading false teachings throughout Ephesus. Paul’s use of such strong language indicates that it is the abuse or “theft” of authority that is off limits.
We should not take this passage, or any other passage, and build our entire belief system. Books and commentaries have been written that explain in nuanced language the underlying meaning of Paul’s words. This passage, and others, must be viewed in light of the entire Bible.
The biggest problem with interpreting this passage in 1 Timothy as excluding women from leadership roles in the church is that Paul clearly praised women for their grace and ability in leadership in other epistles.
Context
It is important to remember that the New Testament was written during a patriarchal time in human history. Therefore, there are fewer references to women. However, there is clear evidence that influential women were involved in spreading the gospel and building up the church.
Romans 16 lists several women who held important positions in the church, including Phoebe, who is described as a minister, deacon, or servant, depending on how the word is translated. diakonos. Paul also praises Priscilla, who is actually mentioned before her husband in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Priscilla and her husband were instrumental in teaching Apollos, and Paul called them both his “fellow workers.” In the book of Philippians, Paul encouraged Eudioa and Syntyche, two women, to agree in the Lord, noting that they had labored with him in the gospel. 1 Corinthians 11:5 speaks of women praying and prophesying within the worship service.
Paul did not approach ministry in all cities in exactly the same way. Instead, he adapted his approach to the context. In Acts 16, Paul built the evangelistic work on a preexisting prayer group led by an upper-class professional woman named Lydia. When the people entered the church, they did not replace Lydia’s leadership. In the book of Philippians (written to the church discussed in Acts 16), Paul urged two women leaders to agree in the Lord. In this church, there was no discussion of women teaching or leading, because it was not culturally appropriate. Women in leadership were simply not a problem in this church.
There are many examples in the Old Testament of women leaders and ministers. Miriam was a prophet (Exodus 15). Deborah was the leader of a nation (Judges 4-5). Ester was a lawyer who saved the town from her.
women have gifts
Nowhere in the New Testament does God imply that certain spiritual gifts are given exclusively to men. 1 Corinthians 11:4-5 indicates that both men and women in the early church had the gift of prophecy. In 1 Corinthians 12:18, Paul describes properly trained women who were appointed to teach. “No restriction is mentioned in the numerous references to teachers and teaching in the Epistles except in 1 Timothy 2:12, where learning is required to precede teaching,” writes Gilbert Bilezikian.
In most cases, those who forbid women from teaching in church based on Paul’s words in 1 Timothy, do not require women to wear head coverings described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11. Also, those who would not allow a woman to teach in a “main service” often do not have that problem with women or couples teaching in children’s or student ministry, yet the Bible makes no such age distinction. . These two examples are not intended to divert the argument, but rather to point out the complexity of the situation.
Wayne Grudem writes:
We must also admit that evangelical churches have often failed to recognize the full equality of men and women and therefore have not regarded women as equal in value to men. The result has been a tragic failure to recognize that God often gives women equal or greater spiritual gifts than men, a failure to encourage women to have full and free participation in the various ministries of the church, and a failure to take fully into account the wisdom God has given women regarding important decisions in the life of the church. If the current controversy over the role of women in the church can result in the eradication of some of these past abuses, then the church as a whole stands to benefit greatly.
In Gifted to leadNancy Beach encourages male pastors to develop female leaders and teachers for several reasons:
- For the good of the congregation: Women leaders and teachers offer an important perspective and essential experience for both men and women in the church. She points out that most churches have a higher percentage of female attendance. We have certainly experienced this through Suzy’s teaching.
- For the sake of the unchurched in our community: A church that is not led by qualified and trained women can seem unrealistic. What we communicate, and how we communicate, and who communicates, speaks to our values. Women need to listen to godly male and female leaders.
- For the good of the staff: A team that involves qualified women will make better decisions. Women have gifts, skills, and wisdom that can help a church fulfill its mission.
- For the sake of our daughters: Decisions about women in leadership will have a ripple effect for years to come.
The women on the Oak Leaf Church staff are extremely talented and gifted. Those gifts deserve a platform and a place of expression. Ladies like Suzy Jordan have been called and gifted to teach, and we would be wise to learn from her perspective.
the main shepherd
The biblical relationship of women and men in marriage, and the example of Christ’s headship in the church provides a good model for leadership in the local church.
The senior pastor or senior elder is ultimately responsible for the leadership of the church. local body of Christ. The financial situation of the church, the ministries of evangelism and discipleship, and the effectiveness of the staff all point to my leadership. I am responsible for everything that happens during our church services.
If a guest speaker comes in and teaches false doctrine, that is a reflection of my pastoral leadership and I am responsible for correcting it.  ; No matter who is teaching from the platform or the pulpit, I am responsible. When Suzy, another faculty member, or a guest speaker preaches at Oak Leaf Church, they do so under my authority, regardless of whether they are male or female.
Can a woman be Senior Pastor, Senior Pastor, or Senior Elder?
Before answering this question, we must state that the Bible teaches that there are important distinctions between men and women.
In Biblical Eldership, Alexander Strauch writes: “Discrimination against women is a grave sin and a dishonor to God, in whose image woman was created. However, in our zeal to correct the wrongs committed against women, we must not forget that God designed the distinctions between men and women so that the sexes complement each other beautifully and perform different roles in society. Denying those distinctions is just as destructive and dishonorable as discriminating against women. We need to be perfectly clear about the biblical teaching regarding women and men as fully equal persons in personality, dignity, and worth, but distinct in gender roles.”
John Piper writes in Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, “Over the years I have come to see in scripture and in life that manhood and womanhood are the beautiful handiwork of a good and loving God. He designed our differences, and they run deep. They are not mere physiological prerequisites for sexual union. They go to the very root of our personality.”
God created us male and female, with unique attributes and distinctions. There is a difference.
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