Women in Ministry (2)

Parliamentarian vs Egalitarian

Darryl Williamson

Men and women are equal. We are the same before Him. Same spiritual rank in privilege. we all have possessed spirit in our hearts because He indwells us. We are the same before the Lord.

We have different missions and roles. Husbands are to lead in the family. It doesn't mean that women cant lead or that they are not gifted to lead, in fact their giftedness could be the same. In God’s economy men are to lead in the home and in the church.

Ephesians 5:22-25 - The wife submits to the husband. What kind of submission are we talking about? It is graceful and thoughtful submisision. “Its a submission freely given, not a submission forceably taken” - Adam Deyoung. The husband laying down His life for His wife.

Assignment/role/office for qualified men

Pastor, elder, overseer

Doesn't mean women are inferior, but that it is simply God’s ordained office for the church.

Adam Deyoung - 1 Timothy 2 - woman should not teach or have authority over man. Its not an office but a function. I would have a woman give announcements, a woman on the praise team might read a scripture or say a prayer. I would not have a woman preach - even in saying she is under the authority of the elders. Sunday School classes we would think is it a couple facilitating the class, is it a mixed class, what are the ages.

Darryl Williamson - Some brothers may say that “Women should never teach in an environment where men are receiving. Others, like myself, there are times when a woman's voice needs to be heard. Example, When Elizabeth Elliot was alive, we would invite her to come share occasionally on a Sunday Morning. I could not imagine, not allowing or wanting that to happen.

Since we are fallen, we have a tendency to build walls. We like to stand strong on our principals and push away anything thats not fully aligned with those. If we are not careful we can marginalize women by putting them in places where they are not being developed, equipped, they don’t feel valued in their giftedness, in some cases their calling. However, they should not function as an authority over men.

Danny Akin - Teaching has to be done by men.

But there may be exceptional occasions. 1 Cor. 11 - under your authority a woman may pray and prophesy. Meaning that in some form, women are teaching in front of everyone on occasion. But it is not a normative practice.

Two types of men:

We need to guard against cultural pressure sinking into the church.

We need to guard women by treating them as equal sisters in Christ. What is the over reaction that is not helpful?