Liberating Women for Ministry? part 3 (The Whole of Scripture)

How do you respond to the idea that holding to discrete gender roles does not marginalize or disenfranchise; Rather, it is our improper valuation of certain jobs over others, that creates the illusion that women are relegated to a less-than status?

I know many women that are pleased to uphold “traditional” roles, which preclude women from holding some offices within the church and family. In fact, I know far fewer women who are interested in challenging that system than those who are content with the status quo.

Those who are convinced of complementarianism have told me that these roles are not unequal, just different, and those who challenge these gender-based boundaries are simply discontented with God’s design and plan for their lives.

Amy,
This is something that i have been thinking about some as well. So many christian girls are brought up with the idea that their ‘roles’ in the household and church are just as honorable as leading in the church as a man… I agree with this but it is only half the truth. The other half of course is that these are simply culturally constructed ‘traditional’ roles and that just because it is honorable to be more of a ‘behind the scenes’ kind of woman, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t also honorable to be the ‘up front’ leader as well. There are so many women that I know that have amazing passions and gifts for teaching/preaching/leading, and when some of them assume that they can’t be pastors out of obedience to the bible, this is simply sad.

The second thing I would say is that I want to start taking these gals to the texts that on the surface hold them back… and to walk them through my proposed reading. And, if they are still not convinced I will look at the texts with the more plain sense and ask: ‘can your complementarity view actually hold up in your church?’ For instance, if we really take the 1 Corinthians 14 passage literally, then women should ALWAYS remain SILENT in the church. What does this mean? Teaching? Singing? Speaking in the sense of giving announcements? No talking at all? If you are going to take this passage literally, then it follows that you probably are at a church that has failed in some regard.

Finally, even in my own home with my wife, i am constantly urging her (some what in a silly way) “Don’t let society tell you that you should stay home! You have some amazing gifts… use ‘em” For me to be an egalitarian in the church, I am convinced that it has to start in my own home with my awesome wife.

PS – It is great to have this kind of a conversation with a gifted female leader in the academic and church world as yourself… Don’t let the ‘man’ hold you back!!!!! lol

[...] story.  This series will be and exploration on this important topic.  Here is part one two three & [...]

[...] This is a series about women in ministry.  I have found that in most evangelical circles, women who are in ministry do not have the same opportunities as men.  Why is this?  It comes from a deep seeded belief that core leadership of a biblical church is found in men alone.  Women are equal in worth to God, but are limited in their function within the body of Christ.  Here is the kicker, I think that Scripture might tell a different story.  This series will be and exploration on this important topic.  Here is part one two & three. [...]

You have some amazing gifts… use ‘em”

This is how I see things. We squander our gifts if they aren’t developed and offered for the good of the kingdom.

Another argument I hear is: There aren’t very many positions in the church that are gender specific, mostly only deacons and preaching pastors. Why aren’t women content with exercising their teaching and leading gifts among children and women? Are those avenues of ministry less-than? What is the motivation for wanting to have the ear or reigns of the whole congregation. Sounds like a power-grab or an ego-trip.

I have some responses, but I’m curious what others think.

[...] Willems at Groans from Within Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part [...]

Many women love taking care of the children, or teaching other women. These are important jobs. If the children are not properly taught, then they will not know Truth from heresy. This is an amazing task. Teaching women, who need someone to talk to about womanly problems, and issues that go on in their lives, this is an amazing task.

However, what if that’s not what God has called them to do? What if instead of teaching children and women, God has called a woman to lead a Bible study group (of mixed genders)? What if He has called a woman to preach in front of a congregation?

And really, if women are able to be called to preach other women, what is the difference between them teaching men AND women? St. Paul writes that we are one in Christ. That there is no male and female. If we are one body, why does it matter if a woman preaches to a mixed congregation? Why does it matter if she does something more than children and women’s groups?

You see, if we are one in Christ, there should not even be the issue of women in leadership. Women are in charge of church finances (secretaries/treasurers), they are in charge of the children (our future), they are teaching other women (their peers), they are in charge of keeping the churches clean (holy and acceptable unto the Lord)…these are all very important jobs. Some of them are more important than being the head pastor.

I fail to see the issue here.

Because what it boils down to is there are some who believe the preaching to be the most important part of a church – and thus they believe it to be a man’s job. And they have isolated a few out of context scriptures to support that viewpoint.

Hello Nicene Josh,

It might be, that the main reason that you consider the issue of a women being able to pastor and teach in mixed assemblies as a non issue, is because a topic like this will never affect you personally. As a male, you will never be disallowed any visible leadership postion based soley on your gender. I do not believe that women think that ministering to other women and children is a ‘less than’ position but alot of conservative men just might. Let’s face it, women want to serve in every capacity in the church, just like men. What happens is that the male leadership will offer women a crumb hoping that they wont ask for a whole loaf! (Give the women something to do, keep them so busy they won’t have time to worry about the visible authoritative ministries in the church!)

You use the ‘one in Christ’ phrase in a unique way. You use the cohesion or oneness of the body as a reason for women to NOT want to pastor/preach/teach in a mixed assembly. I could just as well use that Galatians passage to declare that the oneness described is the main reason women should not be excluded.

One more thing, if the reason why women are not allowed to teach men or have authority is because they are more easily deceived, why are they allowed and even encouraged to teach the most vulnerable in the church, the children?

I’m just askin……..

[...] Part 3: If our main texts are taken at face value, the synthetic task demonstrates canonical tension, which seems to favor equality of gender roles in the church. Based on our reading however, the canon clearly gives witness to the opportunity for women to function in any leadership role within the body of Christ. [...]

[...] Part 3: Liberating Women for Ministry?  (The Whole of Scripture) [...]

With regards to this:

“Why aren’t women content with exercising their teaching and leading gifts among children and women? Are those avenues of ministry less-than? What is the motivation for wanting to have the ear or reigns of the whole congregation. Sounds like a power-grab or an ego-trip.”

Why is it that the privileged group always asks the non-privileged group to be content in not having what the privileged group enjoys without question? Sounds like hanging onto power, and an ego trip.

Why shouldn’t a man of color be content being a porter or a chauffeur? Why should he grab for a chance to get to sit at the front of the bus?

But if it’s wrong to want to have the ear of the whole congregation, then every pastor who ever served is in the wrong.

Very well said Kristen! Thanks for coming by the website and contributing your thoughts!

Thanks, Kurt! I like your blog!