Should women be in church leadership?
Well, Deborah and Priscilla are biblical examples of women who were definitely in positions of leadership...probably also Junias and other women (Romans 16).
I guess there is no general answer to that question. It is interesting how we look to the history to decide what should be done in the present or in the future.
OK, we have Biblical examples of women in leadership. Are they common? No, they are exceptions.
Do women generally make good managers? Not in my experience.
So, in my opinion (which might be totally wrong) women can be in leadership, but rarely they will make good leaders. I think we generally (again this is my opinion) lack emotional stability and (some people will hate this) fair approach.
There will be a few of us (as an exception) who are exceptionally good :-)
Nat why do you think women lack emotional stability and can't be fair? Have you had a bad experience of this?
I am just a little surprised that you would say something very negative, and seemingly all encompassing about women. Isn't God making us all new creations in Him? We are all, regardless of our sex being changed into his likeness - He is just, merciful, fair, wise etc. Are we not allowed to exercise these characteristics because of our sex?
In the Bible there are no conditions put on the gifts of the spirit - we all have gifts according to the grace that is upon us (Romans 12) - listed in amongst the gifts of serving, prophecy, teaching etc, is leadership - no restriction male or female is mentioned.
I find this way of thinking difficult, and always have, In the past I have felt this to be a personal rejection of myself by churches and christians who think like this (and please I'm not trying to hurt you by saying this, I'm just trying to be honest by trying to let you understand where I'm coming from and why I have the views I do), I have both a gift of leadership and of teaching - I didn't invent them, they are God given - God didn't give me these gifts so I could be restricted by the thinking of individuals in the church who want me to bury these because I am female. He gave me these gifts to be used, he gave me them so that he would be glorified and his people built up in their faith. I am obviously not married, so God didn't give me these gifts for them not be used until I came under 'the umbrella of my husbands spiritual authority'. I know that some churches genuinely don't let women teach or lead in mixed audiences. Whilst I know God works in these churches, because like mine they are not perfect, I wouldn't choose to go, but instead I choose to worship where I am encouraged to grow in my gifts and am released to do so - regardless of my sex or single status.
I think so - if you have a gift, and if it is recognised by others, exercise it and let God worry about the statistics.
Hello Tara,
I see this differently. One or two Christian friends have told me that they think I am gifted in teaching (to an extent), but I don't feel at all constrained by my understanding that men and women are made in God's image and are equal, but have been given different roles in the church. I know it's not all about biology, but I feel absolutely privileged to know that God has made us women the ones who get to be pregnant and to give birth and to nurture babies and infants (biologically). However a father is every bit as much of a parent and was every bit as necessary in childbearing, yet it is clear that both parents have different roles and I think it is futile to deny this.
Whilst men and women have gifts to teach and to serve others (as leaders in the Kingdom are Shepherds and servants of all), I see that it is mandated that men and women carry this function out differently within the church. Whilst male and female, are of no consequence spiritually, they given different roles and responsibilities practically.
My desire in church is to see women's ministry that treats in-depth Bible study as more central, and not just particular specialist women's activities. How does the housewife, or the working woman (single or married) apply theology to her life?
For some reason, even given that I am pretty outspoken and confident, I don't feel that I am being oppressed by men in my complementarian church. If anything, I am more frightened of what I see as overempowered women leading churches. I think it is the way of the world to demand our rights and to want to ignore the differences. I don't believe that men are better than women. I want to be taught, soundly by men, in a mixed congregation and am very open to being taught by women in a single sex audience. I really think the Western church (in my own opinion) has spent decades emasculating men. I actually think, that our turning back on God's word, with regard to women's role in leadership might be part of the reason why there is such a gender imbalance in many UK churches today.
I have received amazing teaching from women. I believe that women have a strong role to play in a mixed setting such as Priscilla and Aquilla. Women are able to participate in teaching others the way of Christ more fully. However, it is the issue of usurping authority over men which is my problem.
I think that male chauvinism is sinful, but so are some of the manifestations of feminism that I have grown up with. I can appreciate the desire to be equally valued, but I hate the pretence that we are somehow the same and should overlook or ignore our differences. I think we should both, male and female look to God's word to show us how He expects us to live.
Yes definately. Test of a leader? Look behind & see who is following.
Anybody hear the amazing Canadian woman leading at Spring Harvest - Danielle Strickland? Google her and read her interview on Sophia Network. Come on girls, she is showing us all how to do it, and such a powerful speaker. If any man dare say women cannot preach without having heard her, then I'm really just going to rest my case, [go on - I dare you dudes - I know you are out there waiting to have a pop at me :-)].
Oh, and to those who say women can't lead in general, I'd just say that you need to put away your pre-conceptions. As a young girl at Uni, I sucessfully led the motorcycle club, with an all female committee. It did raise eyebrows, and we did change the way we did a few things, but it was a great year. Needless to say, I'm still into pushing boundaries, and I hope my daughter will do likewise.
Hi Sally,
This is a lovely topic!
The Bible encourages both men and women to prophesy, share God’s word and encourage in the church, outside the church and in a family too. The only thing the women are not supposed to do in a church is that they should not teach. But teaching could be like teaching a doctrine or something which normally is not done in a church. Most of the sermons are sharing and encouraging. To be able to teach, one must be a spiritual father like Paul. Not even 98% of men are eligible to teach because they either do not know God’s word or they are not in touch with our Lord.
But women should teach in their homes, to their children.
2 Timothy 1:5For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.
On the other hand, since most churches have at least 50% of women, we need more women workers or leaders. It is difficult for men to engage with women or teens on many matters. So, I would love to see more women leaders and workers in the church.
I also believe, though it is not a big commandment, but in order to obey all commandments of God, women should cover their head during the church service! I hope I do not get a backlash for this statement. I would have covered my head during the church service if I were a woman! LOL!
I would like to take this opportunity to bring to your kind notice how much Jesus valued women. I hope one of you will give me a treat for pointing out this!
I bet, show me a man (or a woman) who respected women more than Jesus did.
John 20: 15 – 18.
15Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, "Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away."
16Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, "Rabboni!" (which means, Teacher).
17Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'"
18 Mary Magdalene came, announcing to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord," and that He had said these things to her.
From the above passage we see that the order of preference He had to meet with the Father and the disciples after coming out of the grave.
First with Mary, the one who repented 100% from a very sinful life and followed Jesus. He must have come out of the grave at 4:30 or 5am. And Mary must have come there about 7am. He waited about 2 hours without even going to the Father!!!!!, just to meet Mary Magdalene.
Then He met the Father and then the disciples! That’s how much Jesus valued and values women. So, women, wake-up, you are special in the Kingdome of God!!!
I hope I get my treat!
It is also true that Jesus was not pulling out a stunt when He said, who is my brother or who is my sister or who is my mother!!! He really meant what He said! He will be with those who do the Father’s will.
Mathew12: 50. For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."
Jesus said...
John 6:40 "For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day."
Regards,
Vincent Paul.
Yes, yes, yes!
They can help to redress the balance of the wimpish apologetic men who are in leadership positions in the church because they'd never last five minutes in a job doing anything else.
Next question...
Some very interesting views here.
Ola - whilst I don't altogether agree with your point of view, I think you have expressed it with clarity and sensitivity and it certainly made me think.
Alison - running the motorcycle club sounds fun - BTW did you know that Dorothy L Sayers ("Man born to be King", "Nine Tailors", contemporary of CS Lewis) was mad keen on bikes?
Alison if you ever come over to the Isle of man for the TT drop me a line!
I'm with John on this one Ola - whilst I agree with some of what you say I think you're thinking is a little too far to the right for me. Here are some of my thoughts, although I can't quite remember all the comments made by yourself or others so I can't respond as adequately as I would like.
I don't believe a woman should be defined because she has a womb - some women never will have children or get married - take a look at the % of women to men in the church. If christian women choose not to marry non-christians then we will inevitably see an increase of single, childless women in the church. Our sense of self shouldn't be based on what we can do/our sex but on the truth of who we are in God's eyes - his creation, loved, valued, bought at a price. (Sensitivity and awareness of others is important - not all women, married or single can have children, not all women, married or single want children).
I don't think anyone is saying men and women are the same - but they are equal in value.
I agree churches do need to address the needs of men so they will want to come into the church. Some churches in their approaches can be over feminized, however, limiting women in their giftings and roles is not the solution to this problem. Far from it. It's a separate issue altogether - men know what is lacking and need to sort it, oppressing women in their gifts isn't the answer.
On the flip side - I know churches who will not release a woman because she is a woman - I think this equally needs to be addressed as with the over feminization of the church.
I'm not sure we will find a consensus on this issue, it's a hot potatoe.
Hi Tara,
I'm fully with you in knowing that not all women will marry, nor will all married women have children, this is also true for Christian men. My perspective on women's leadership in the church is theological.
I don't think that there is a way to reach consensus on this issue, because the views do oppose one another. What you see as oppression in releasing some women in their gifts would for women like me and for some men be an issue over which they would leave a church. A woman may feel that her gift is being released, as may other Christian men and women around her, but I believe that women having teaching and authoritative roles over men in a church changes the very nature of the church. It says something quite fundemental (in my understanding) about how that church leadership views scripture. For me it is an act of liberalisation in theology (which I view as negative).
The issue is quite polarising in terms of the doctrine and practice of a local church, or groups of churches that are affiliated to one another.
I certainly do think your teaching and leadership gifts should be used, but not with the mixed male and female congregation.
I don't have a problem,as long as they are been lead by God and the
Holy Spirit,and are living in the word. God doses not hold one sex
above another.
Dear Sally,
Many thanks for your question.I am surprised that among a dozen replies none has stated what scripture says maybe we are more influenced sometimes by our strongly held opinions? In 1 Tim 3v2 is says leaders must be husbands of one wife and in v4 and 5 a man who rules his own house in v11 and 12 it teaches the same about deacons.So the bible does not teach women leadership.
As far as Deborah goes she was never a part of the church she was a member of the congregation of Israel living under the 613 commandments giving in the mosaic law which according to Col2v14 was crucified to the cross so came to an end see Rom 10v4.The church live under the law of Christ Gal6v2 which incorporates all the teachings in the epistles.A women being in authority in a secular club is irrelevent to the question asked. A women can run a club be the boss at work or run for American President her claims are the same as a mans she also has authority over her children Eph1v6. best wishes Colin576
What do you reckon? (all views welcome)