What exactly should a woman's role be in a church?? Serious Question plz answer.?

Question

This question has been bothering me for some time. I've asked many ppl that I highly respect, but no one seems to be able to give me a straight answer. I really feel as though God has given me the desire to serve him, but I'm hesitant to do it, bc I don't understand what the Bible says about women in the ministry. And i want to make sure my desires are God's will and not my own. I've read almost every place in the Bible that talks about women in the church and I'm either misinterpreting it or I understand what the Bible's saying and I don't like it haha. I guess my real question is that even though women are more than capable in many cases to serve God in many ways through a local church, what is the true way ordained by God for women to serve?

Any opinions anyone?

Answer 1

The answers you are going to get are going to be all over the board. My suggestion is to start studying the issue yourself and come to your own conclusions.

As far as whether women should teach there is a fascinating books called "Beyond the Curse: Women Called to Ministry" by Aida Besancon Spencer. She is a Christian and teaches at a conservative seminary back east.

Pabs

I just checked Amazon does carry the book.

Answer 2

Gal 3:28 There is no Jew or Greek. There is no slave or free person. There is no male or female. Because you belong to Christ Jesus, you are all one.

Interpret the restrictive passages through this one rather than the other way around. This HAS to be considered the BIG PICTURE on the topic. Things only make sense if you interpret that way.

The restrictions seem to be for Corinth and Ephesus churches and only for that time. Each context reveals that barriers were in place to non-believers entering the church. Paul that wrote the restrictions also wrote Gal 3:28 that all are one. Many churches are coming to a better understanding of these passages, but many are still stuck in their traditional interpretations.

Most churches have no deaconesses, yet they were a part of the first century church and Paul lists their qualifications in 1Timothy 3:11 - "wives" is not a good translation there, it clearly is introducing a new clause in a format parallel to the prior 2... look at the original Greek on that. Phoebe was a deaconess serving the church in Cenchrea.(Rom 16:1)

As for speaking in the assembly, Paul was discussing the assembly in 1 Corinthians 11:5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered brings shame on her head. It is just as if her head were shaved... Here, Paul didn't say that a woman shouldn't pray or teach (prophesy) but that she should do it in a culturally proper way - Again, not to place a barrier before a non-Christian.

Answer 3

In the bible women did play important roles, but they were largely not authoritive. I believe this was indicative of the culture. In today's culture where women have much the same influence as men, I believe it is perfectly appropriate for a women to serve as a Pastor, or whatever other role you feel called to. More clearly still, God wouldn't call you to do something that you shouldn't do. If you feel a call on your life, then step out and obey. Have you looked into Bible college? North Central Bible college is good. It's in Minnesota.

Answer 4

Women can and do minister in the same role as men in many of the traditional denominations. There is absolutely nothing in the Bible that prohibits it! If you are called to serve, do so without reservation. And disregard the ill informed views of those who are unwilling to accept change. This isn't the Middle Ages after all! Women being in power is not against the Christian religion. It is against many of the cultures in which Christianity has grown up. The message of Christ can be understood in a radically egalitarian, and even gender-transcending way. "In Christ there is no male or female" is a powerful fulfillment of "male and female God created them."

Answer 5

Look in 1st Timothy for the role of women. I believe that women can teach Sunday School, VBS, sing on the choir, lead the choir, play an instrument in adding to the worship service ie.. piano, organ or if you have a band participate in that. I firmly believe as Paul instructs Timothy that women should not be a pastor. God has called women onto the mission field to serve Him there. I would continue to pray and seek Him for direction. We as women can do so many things to serve the Lord without being a pastor. Paul instructed us to guide the younger women in how to be wives that support our husbands and how to be godly mothers, this is also found in Timothy as well. Look at Jesus' mother and the other women who followed Him for guidance as well.

Answer 6

It all depends on how restrictive or liberal your church is. Many people will have different answers, regardless of scripture. Some are very selective with the Bible verses and how they apply it to their own church. Example ... as you know, Catholics do not allow female priests. But yet there are evangelical women preachers (Joyce Meyer).

So, if acceptance means anything to you, you will find that it depends on which church you attend.

Answer 7

I think I have to agree that maybe you do not like what you have read. If you read 1Timothy 8-15. It will give you a good isea of what God wants. You can be a teacher of children and in our church body we are allowed to ask questions but not to teach men. I have enjoyed answering questions of people and I think I have helped them here on yahoo. May the Lord bless and guide you.

Answer 8

Christ treated women as equals with men even though such an attitude was taboo in his culture. (It's amazing that Mary Magdalene discovers his empty tomb, and him, after the resurrection). The biblical elements that suggest women are subordinate were either written long after Christ died (such as Paul's sometimes misogynistic epistles) or were part of ancient Judaic culture (such as the Old Testament stuff that relegates women to tents while they're menstruating).

So. . .it seems to me natural that women take on whatever roles in the church that make them comfortable and that best allow them to serve. My suspicion is that "the true way ordained by God for women to serve" is actually innumerable ways according to ability and inclination (and probably not so much attached to gender).

Answer 9

Jesus chose men to lead the Church as he has lead the Church as a created human / God man. (He is born a man, not a woman)

Redemption however was born through a woman. That women provided the DNA which made up the human side of our Saviour Jesus Christ. His blood which was sacrificed for all our sins were from her human creation. What honor and power is that for all women?

Yet, Mary was submissive to her Divine child. She was an example of how women are to be submissive to their husbands (ie Joseph) Through this self sacrifice unity is formed.

Jesus loved us so much that He sacrificed His human Body for our sins. The Gospels after telling women to be submissive to their husband, directs husbands to love their wives more than their very bodies. (ie like Jesus did for the Church!) Through laying down one's life for their beloved unity is increased.

I think this encompasses the entire message of Jesus. Love God and love your neighbor. Political pundits want to create division within the church when really there is none. Women are held in the greatest of honor, and each person is welcomed for their specific gifts to the community.

Mary is the most Blessed women mentioned in the Bible. Through her the salvation of humanity sprang in Jesus Christ Son of God.

Answer 10

Women have a very significant role in the local church.

Feel free to email me if you wish to dialog on this topic (I have to look for some articles describing the impact of women on the early NT church).

Cordially,
John