Christians, What are you beliefs regarding women in leadership in the church?
September 25, 2009 by Leadership Development & Management Tips
Filed under More Leadership Development Answers
Can you answer melinda’s question about Leadership Development?:
Many people will argue that the Bible clearly states that women should not be in spiritual leadership in the church. Many others disagree with that statement. What are your personal feelings?
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Many people will argue that the Bible clearly states that women should not be in spiritual leadership in the church. Many others disagree with that statement. What are your personal feelings?
Leadership Training Videos
Leadership Development Feedback: If God calls upon a woman to lead a Church, than so be it.
Leadership Development Feedback: The bible has been rewritten and translated many times, by man. I think women should be leaders even able to be the pope.
In the early church Mary M. and others were apostles. There was some letter, sent to someone, of leaders of the church, and many were women.
I think it should’ve had women as leaders, but then when Rome got involved, they didn’t want the women to be in control of the people.
Leadership Development Feedback: that they shouldnt be in leadership roles … like u said its clearly stated and i see no need to decide its the new age and things have changed …
Leadership Development Feedback: The Church leaders should be men, because Christ instituted the male priesthood. God bless.
Leadership Development Feedback: The reason people say that women should not be in spiritual leadership in the church is because they don’t know the Bible. Paul gives thanks for the women who have shown leadership in the church and acknowledges that their leadership is important.
Leadership Development Feedback: Its left over patriarchy from way back. There are women pastors and at least one or two female bishops but not in the Catholic church. The Episcopalians allow women and gay clergy.
Leadership Development Feedback: The Church Of The Bible: The Only 100% True Church
Jul 1st, 2007 by Bro. Eli
This is a reply to the comment posted by a reader on my article entitled, “Are We Being Pretentious? Who Cares?!”, which was posted last June 30, 2007. The comment states:
I agree with you. For the most part.
For the record, I don’t think it’s being pretentious, no more pretentious than calling the Bible the Book or Word of God. I was just saying that the founders of the church thought it might be construed as pretentious, as if to say all the other Christian denominations are not of God.
For while having other denominations might not be what God intended, and the walls that divide these denominations are certainly not of God, we cannot say that other denominations are not “of God.”
From my studies, I have not found a denomination or church body that has “all the Truth.” I find that every church has a different element. Some churches have a more complete view of the Truth. But so far, no-one has it 100% right. Not even us Seventh-Day Adventists.
And I find it interesting to note that neither Jesus nor His followers ever addressed the difference in sects or denominations, though in Jerusalem and in Judaism, there were certainly sects that viewed theology, the afterlife, and how we are to treat our fellow man very differently. All He said, it seems, is “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) That’s it. Not “this church’s view of You” or “this denomination’s take on the afterlife.”
I think that’s what the founders of the SDA church had in mind when they named the church. They wanted anyone and everyone to know the Saviour and didn’t want to offend any of the other churches.
And, as far as your comment about “the Seventh Day Adventist is not the true church because it was founded with the leadership of a woman which is against God’s will in the Bible,” I think it takes a very marginalized view of what God can do with the people who make themselves available to Him. Because while 1 Timothy certainly does say “I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence,” it cannot be taken as the golden standard by which all women must be measured and kept.
If we take just particular passages of the Bible and quote them, we can make any case for any topic. But taking it as a whole, we can see a much broader picture in which women can be leaders. May I direct you to the Book of Esther, a story about a woman who does NOT remain silent? Or Joshua 2, in which the prostitute Rahab saves the lives of the Israelite spies by hiding them, a story in which she very much tells them what to do? The list goes on and on. There are not many women in the Bible, but those that are, are leaders in some form or fashion.
I’m not trying to start an argument, but I find it incredibly ironic that this “debate” started over the idea of Christian pretentiousness.
-=Scott
Dear Scott,
I am very much saddened to know the kind of reasoning the Seventh Day Adventist Church have taught you. I can not blame you anyway, nor, judge you, because you are not the leader of this church. I only blame religious leaders because it is the kind of battle I am engaged with.
(Ephesians 6:12) “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
This is the kind of war that is being waged by the ‘seeds’ of the woman against the serpent and his seeds.
(Genesis 3:15) “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
I have never taught anybody, all my life, to lift a finger and to harm anybody physically — to my loved ones, especially to the members of The Church of God, International. Those that kill or harm anybody physically in the name of religion, like the Catholic Church (See reference below) are not of God.
It is idiotic to believe that you are of God, and at the same time, transgressing His law, Thou shall not kill”. Aggravating this is the next commandment, “Love your enemies”.
(Matthew 5:21, 44) “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment…”
“…But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you…”
We may safely conclude that killing one’s enemy (especially an enemy of faith, where God is within the parameter of the dispute) is foolish!
Christians do not harm their enemies physically, like the Catholic Church that has inflicted physical harm to her enemies.
(2 Corinthians 10:4-5) “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…”
The result of this kind of battle is not physically fatal because it brings the captives to the obedience of Christ. If you are starting arguments do not worry; I love this kind of battle.
Your view that there is no church that is 100 percent right is contrary to what the Bible teaches. The Bible has the record of the teachings of the Church of God — the Church preached by Jesus Christ and the apostles, and they are 100 percent correct, right and true! But I can not blame you because you may have realized the truth that there are errors in the teachings of your church; but to conclude that there is no church which is 100 percent right is ignorance of the Bible. Let me prove this to you.
The teaching of the Church of God in the Bible is 100 percent right.
(1 Thessalonians 5:3-5) “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness…”
If the teachings of the gospel entrusted by God to the apostles were delivered ‘as is’ who will say that it is not 100 percent right? It is illogical because God is 100 percent right! See?
God does not allow error in teachings in His Church.
(Jeremiah 26:2) “Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’s house, and speak unto all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the LORD’s house, all the words that I command thee to speak unto them; diminish not a word…”
This was the way of Jesus Christ, the highest teacher in the Church.
(John 12:49) “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”
Not a jot or title was omitted by Christ.
(Matthew 5:18) “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
John the beloved, wrote the same warning.
(Revelations 22:18-19) “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
Heeding to all these instructions, and faithfulness to God will result in a Church, with its teachings 100 percent right. See?
Your claim that Jesus, neither, the apostles, did not address the difference in sects or denominations is (again) a big mistake. In fact, the Lord Jesus told His disciples that they must exceed the righteousness of the sect of the Scribes and Pharisees, while condemning the practices of these sects.
(Matthew 5:20) “For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
(Matthew 23:15) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”
Do you see the light now, Brother Scott?
Again, when you said that what 1 Timothy 2:11-14 state “can not be taken as a golden standard by which all women must be measured and kept,” is (again) wrong.
The standard of all truth is God’s word and will!
Jesus Christ, the highest authority in Christianity, did not elect women apostles. Women in the first century Christian Church occupied important positions in the ministry and in the preaching in the gospel, but not one of them was made a leader. They are ‘helps’ as it was ordained by God.
(Genesis 2:18) “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.”
This is reflected in the role women performed in the Church of God.
(Philippians 4:3) “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.”
They helped the apostle Paul, their leader, but did not usurp authority over the latter.
(Romans 16:1-2) “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also.”
Succorer is a helper and not a leader like Ellen G. White!
Rahab, the example you gave, is not a leader; neither is there any mention of any woman leader in the book of Esther.
I hope and pray that you may see the grace of God.
God Bless.
EFS
Leadership Development Feedback: Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
yes women can be ministers
Leadership Development Feedback: They have their place, and a Bible based role, as outlined in the Bible. It is of interesting note that where Paul addresses a letter to a group, if the first name is that of a woman, that means she was the group leader.
Leadership Development Feedback: God uses the willing. If a man is not willing He will use a woman.
Leadership Development Feedback: Women should be allowed to do what they choose, including being clergy. They can speak on issues that men know little about , It all comes down to men wanting to maintain power, by controlling females. It has nothing to do with God, and we need to stop blaming him for our insecurities.
Leadership Development Feedback: The Bible states the qualifications of pastors, deacons, edlers… one of which is “the husband of one wife” that kinda eliminates women as prominent leaders. However, they can be sunday school teachers, lead women’s groups and retreats.
Leadership Development Feedback: God chooses who he wants in ministry he doesn’t see male or female just the heart… I have my doubts about allot of who say they were called though….I think people these days are lead more by their flesh then the true spirit of God so you have to be careful…..
Leadership Development Feedback: women jobs in religion: prophetess( Marian)
mens jobs in religion: priest (Aron) high priest (Aron)
prophet(moses)
Leadership Development Feedback: I don’t care if the pastor is male or females. As long as the leader is kind, understanding and not a bitch or a bastard.
Leadership Development Feedback: Personally, I don’t think a women should be a head pastor. Women are good teachers. We all have roles.
Leadership Development Feedback: If women should not be preachers, then why has God clearly gifted some of them to do so? I am really inspired by Joyce Meyers in the morning before I go to work. Why would I receive blessing and joy from God through her program, if God is against it?
Remember that women were the first to preach the gospel of the good news of the risen Christ. When Mary and the other women visited the empty tomb, the angel told them, go and tell…
Leadership Development Feedback: We must read the Bible as a whole, so we can have complete understanding.
GALATIANS 3:28, “In Christ now there is neither bond nor free, Scythian nor Barbarian, male nor female; all are one in Christ Jesus.”
on the day of Pentecost in the book of acts, when the Holy Spirit fell, the prophet Joel said, “The day will come when the Holy Spirit comes upon His people, God’s people, and young men and young women shall prophesy (preach).”Acts
Jesus Christ was a Radical feminist, visiting Martha and Mary, letting Mary Magdalene worship Him face to face, and tearing the VEIL of the temple and destroying the temple which was structured in a way that only the males can enter to worship God intimately. \
in the Old Testament, women were used equally by God to accomplish certain things. God used a female spy to aid the people of God to conquer the enemies’ land. God uses queen Esther to set His people free. in the New Testament, the Son of God came through a woman named Mary. He bestowed on her the authority and the great privilege to parent the Son of God.
women, as far as i know, were intended by God to be equal with men.
Leadership Development Feedback: As a Catholic at the moment we have only male priests, however, while I do believe priests should have to be celibate, women should and (due to decreasing numbers of priests) probably will be able to join the priesthood.
Leadership Development Feedback: I’ve read some of what the Bible says regarding it, but I think it’s okay. I mean, as far as someone other than Paul referencing women in the church, I don’t think it was really mentioned. I’ll have to check for sure. I know that God did use Deborah as a judge. No, that wasn’t the church, but I believe it’s the same concept. Another thing, I have questioned Paul. Not only him, but other writers of the Bible. I know all the words are inspired by God, but all writers were human like you and me. They could have heard wrong. Paul’s views on women leadership could have been something he observed in the church and he could have formed an opinion. At the same time, God could have genuinely said a woman should keep silent and get understanding from her husband at home. I don’t know. Paul did recognize Priscila in the Bible. He even wrote her name first (Greet Priscila and Aquila) in one of his letters. But, like I said, I don’t know.
All I can say is that I’ve seen God genuinely use women in the church. They were led by the moving of the Holy Spirit, under the anointing. How far it is meant to go, I’m not sure. Right now, though, I’m up for saying they can lead. If different, I’m up for hearing what God has to say about it.
Leadership Development Feedback: i am not sure i agree with women not being in leadership women are just as capable studying the word and explaining as men since we are not governed by the law i see no reason why we cant learn,praise and worship with a woman leader
Leadership Development Feedback: God in His wisdom created man and woman for, and appointed them to, different roles in the church. These roles are equally desirable, important, and pleasing to God. Specifically, God has appointed men as rulers of the church and women to support them. God has prohibited women from being in positions of authority over men in the church. This divine order of authority is based on three reasons set forth in 1 Timothy 2:11-15 and 1 Corinthians 11:2-16.
1.The order of creation. Woman was created from man and for man (to help him - Genesis 2:18).
2.The woman was the one deceived.
3.The head of the woman is man as the head of Christ is God.
Women can hold positions of authority over other women, including pastoring, leading, and teaching (Titus 2:3-5).
Leadership Development Feedback: In the New Testament, women were to keep silent in the churches. Yet at the cross as Jesus died, the women (and possibly John) were the ones who didn’t run and hide. I think the “women keep silent” thing had to do with Jewish law and tradition more than with Jesus’ teachings. When we were pastoring, it was the women who got things done in the churches. And it was the women who were the life and backbone of the churches. If women were not allowed to have a say and take charge at times in the churches, not much would get done I’m afraid. No offence to the men–this has just been my personal experience after 40 years of attending and pastoring Christian churches. As to Spiritual Leadership–Women are more open and obedient to the Spirit, more empathetic by nature and much more willing to listen and serve than men–again, by their very nature. It is the way God made us. Lead on, Ladies!!
Leadership Development Feedback: Its fine.
Leadership Development Feedback: I believe that women can hold many important positions in ministry. I only feel that God forbids a woman from Pastoring the Church. You will get many different views and opinions on this question. God Bless You….Peace.