Do You Believe In Women Preachers?

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

And Fundamentalist Mormons have multiple wives.

What on earth does one have to do with the other. Women can and do preach and with anointing and blessing. That's that.

[Michlow]

If preachers spent less time preaching and more time doing, the gender thing would be a moot point.

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Felicity

What on earth does one have to do with the other. Women can and do preach and with anointing and blessing. That's that.

For real......

[LadyRev]

Originally Posted by Lost and Found

These examples describe women serving in the Church, but nowhere do we find an example of a woman functioning in the five-fold ministry.

You are entitled to your opinion.

The fact remains that there are many men that can and do use the same scriptures you just used, as well as others, to argue in favor of women preachers and pastors.

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by LadyRev

You are entitled to your opinion.

The fact remains that there are many men that can and do use the same scriptures you just used, as well as others, to argue in favor of women preachers and pastors.

Really? I've not seen these 'many' use the passages I used. I cannot find where the Bible says what you are proposing. Would you please list all these scriptures for me?

Thanks for your coming list.

[Thad]

Originally Posted by Lost and Found

The qualifications of an elder (one in the five-fold ministry) can only be defined through the Bible’s narrative. Both 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9 list the criteria for apostolic conformity to this call (See 1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:6-9).

In both these writings we find Paul specifying that an elder must be the “husband of one wife.” These same writings also contain Paul’s guidelines for the behavior of an elder’s wife and children. Therefore, compliance with these would require one to be a male, which means the calling of an elder could only be fulfilled by men, and never by women. But beyond this clear textual evidence is the fact that nowhere in the Bible do we find women operating in the role of a New Covenant Church Elder. This fact alone should settle this apostolic principle.

I realize that the Bible says that there are neither male nor female in Christ (Galatians 3:28). But when one reads Galatians 3 in context, they find that Paul is speaking about all people - Jew and Greek, bond and free, male and female – who put on Christ, have equal access to God’s promise. This same theme is mentioned in many of Paul’s epistles (See Galatians 5:6; Romans 1:16, 2:9-10, 3:29-30, 4:11-12, 9:24, 10:12-15; 1Corinthians 7:19; 12:13; Ephesians 3:5-10; Colossians 3:11).

To make this lone passage in Galatians 3 the standard for biblical eldership, one would have to take its wording out of context and ignore numerous passages, which define a man and woman’s role in ministry differently than does Galatians 3:28. Such measures always lead to error and false doctrine.

A woman’s ‘ministry’ is to compliment her husband’s. A man’s ministry may not be the one shining forth in a relationship, but that does not mean the Lord does not desire such a situation to change. This, again, is why both the man and the woman need training from the elders.

Does God use women in the Church? Of course He does. But just as there is a proper headship in the home (See Ephesians 5:23-24; 1 Corinthians 11:3), there is also a proper headship in the Church (see Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:17).

The Bible describes matured women of approved character and piety, ministering to other women (See Titus 2:3-5).

A woman’s service is regarded as very important to the Kingdom of God. Paul mentions such labor in his epistle to the church at Philippi. “And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life” (Philippians 4:3). Other biblical examples where women served in the Kingdom of God include:
• The Shunamite women ministered to Elisha. (2 Kings 4)
• Martha served the Lord and His Disciples. (Luke 10:38-42; John 12:2, 26)
• Peter’s wife’s mother was healed and then ministered to Jesus. (Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:31)
• Certain women ministered to Jesus, including: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children. (Matthew 27:55-56)
• Joanna, the wife of Herod’s stewards, and Susanna and many others also ministered to Jesus. (Luke 8:1-3)
• Dorcas ministered to the needs of the poor. (Acts 9:36-40)
• Paul asked the Church at Rome to help Phebe in whatever she was doing. She was a servant at the Church at Cenchrea. (Romans 16:1-2)

These examples describe women serving in the Church, but nowhere do we find an example of a woman functioning in the five-fold ministry.

I think we fall into 3 catagories here:

some of the members do not believe in women in ministry at all.
They can only teach the girls, etc. i remember our choir sung some place years ago. another choir sung too but I noticed they stood IN FRONT of the pulpit. this was because they didn't believe a woman could even be on the platform at all! especially in front of a pulpit since it represented "authority".

many of us(including myslef) are not referring to woman Bishops, pastor's or leaders in authority positions but we do believe that that women can share in the 5 fold ministry where it is not specified such as evangelist, missionary, teacher, and yes, they are called to preach the gospel. tell me where it says they are not ?????

finally, there are some here that a woman can be in complete authority. this is where i and perhaps others would disagree

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by LadyRev

You are entitled to your opinion.

The fact remains that there are many men that can and do use the same scriptures you just used, as well as others, to argue in favor of women preachers and pastors.

LadyRev,

No I'm NOT! The Talmud is about opinions, but not the Bible, it's about Truth. The opinions and preferences of man are not consistant with God's ways. To find ourselves in His will we must follow His Word.

Sola Scriptura, Sister!

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Thad

I think we fall into 3 catagories here:

some of the members do not believe in women in ministry at all.
They can only teach the girls, etc. i remember our choir sung some place years ago. another choir sung too but I noticed they stood IN FRONT of the pulpit. this was because they didn't believe a woman could even be on the platform at all! especially in front of a pulpit since it represented "authority".

many of us(including myslef) are not referring to woman Bishops, pastor's or leaders in authority positions but we do believe that that women can share in the 5 fold ministry where it is not specified such as evangelist, missionary, teacher, and yes, they are called to preach the gospel. tell me where it says they are not ?????

finally, there are some here that a woman can be in complete authority. this is where i and perhaps others would disagree

Interesting observation.

The Bible amply shows that all women hold an important role in the body of Christ. Paul said that ALL saints are ministers (See Eph 4:12). But there is a difference between a ‘minister’ and one who is in the five-fold ministry. Paul shows this when he commissions the men in these roles to perfect the remaining body for their calling (See Eph 4:11). I do not see where the Bible says that woman then had or that they ever would have any role in the five-fold ministry of the Church. If someone has such scriptural evidence, I would love to read it.

[nahkoe]

What do you think then of women who have been called? There comes a point after running and avoiding and ignoring that a person has to answer the call of God. Or do something. What if that woman has no husband to minister with/under/alongside?

Originally Posted by Lost and Found

The qualifications of an elder (one in the five-fold ministry) can only be defined through the Bible’s narrative. Both 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9 list the criteria for apostolic conformity to this call (See 1 Timothy 3:2-7; Titus 1:6-9).

In both these writings we find Paul specifying that an elder must be the “husband of one wife.” These same writings also contain Paul’s guidelines for the behavior of an elder’s wife and children. Therefore, compliance with these would require one to be a male, which means the calling of an elder could only be fulfilled by men, and never by women. But beyond this clear textual evidence is the fact that nowhere in the Bible do we find women operating in the role of a New Covenant Church Elder. This fact alone should settle this apostolic principle.

I realize that the Bible says that there are neither male nor female in Christ (Galatians 3:28). But when one reads Galatians 3 in context, they find that Paul is speaking about all people - Jew and Greek, bond and free, male and female – who put on Christ, have equal access to God’s promise. This same theme is mentioned in many of Paul’s epistles (See Galatians 5:6; Romans 1:16, 2:9-10, 3:29-30, 4:11-12, 9:24, 10:12-15; 1Corinthians 7:19; 12:13; Ephesians 3:5-10; Colossians 3:11).

To make this lone passage in Galatians 3 the standard for biblical eldership, one would have to take its wording out of context and ignore numerous passages, which define a man and woman’s role in ministry differently than does Galatians 3:28. Such measures always lead to error and false doctrine.

A woman’s ‘ministry’ is to compliment her husband’s. A man’s ministry may not be the one shining forth in a relationship, but that does not mean the Lord does not desire such a situation to change. This, again, is why both the man and the woman need training from the elders.

Does God use women in the Church? Of course He does. But just as there is a proper headship in the home (See Ephesians 5:23-24; 1 Corinthians 11:3), there is also a proper headship in the Church (see Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:17).

The Bible describes matured women of approved character and piety, ministering to other women (See Titus 2:3-5).

A woman’s service is regarded as very important to the Kingdom of God. Paul mentions such labor in his epistle to the church at Philippi. “And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life” (Philippians 4:3). Other biblical examples where women served in the Kingdom of God include:
• The Shunamite women ministered to Elisha. (2 Kings 4)
• Martha served the Lord and His Disciples. (Luke 10:38-42; John 12:2, 26)
• Peter’s wife’s mother was healed and then ministered to Jesus. (Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:31)
• Certain women ministered to Jesus, including: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children. (Matthew 27:55-56)
• Joanna, the wife of Herod’s stewards, and Susanna and many others also ministered to Jesus. (Luke 8:1-3)
• Dorcas ministered to the needs of the poor. (Acts 9:36-40)
• Paul asked the Church at Rome to help Phebe in whatever she was doing. She was a servant at the Church at Cenchrea. (Romans 16:1-2)

These examples describe women serving in the Church, but nowhere do we find an example of a woman functioning in the five-fold ministry.

[nahkoe]

I'm starting to feel like I kill threads. lol None of these questions are asked to be antagonizing. I really am curious what you (anyone) feels about this. If you feel it's unscriptural for a woman to preach at all, what are your thoughts regarding women who are called to preach? Especially if you're a man who has felt that calling, you have to know what it would be to deny that.

Originally Posted by nahkoe

What do you think then of women who have been called? There comes a point after running and avoiding and ignoring that a person has to answer the call of God. Or do something. What if that woman has no husband to minister with/under/alongside?