Women in ministry is not an easy topic. Thousands of books have been written on the subject. In this message, Lead Pastor Jamie Nunnally gives a Biblical defense of why our church ordains women and allows them to preach.
Three things you should know:
1. Men and women equally bear the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and are equal heirs of salvation in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
2. In Ancient Greek, the word for man and husband are the same, and woman and wife are the same.
3. The Bible is written from a patriarchal perspective, because it was written in a patriarchal culture.
Old Testament
Miriam – prophet (Exodus 15:20)
Deborah – church government/administration (Judges 4-5)
Huldah – teacher/prophet (2 Kings 22:11-20)
These were exceptions – almost all leadership was male. No female priests—the highest ranking spiritual position in Israel.
New Testament
Anna – prophet (Luke 2:36)
Phoebe – deacon and “ruler.” (Romans 16:1-2)
Junia – apostle (Romans 16:7)
Priscilla – teacher (Acts 18:24-26)
Nympha – house church leader (Colossians 4:15)
Women will prophesy (Acts 2:17-18)
Women were the first to tell of the resurrected Jesus (John 20:11-18)
Women traveled with, learned from and supported Jesus (Luke 8:1-3)
Passages used to restrict women in ministry:
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
1) No one believes this or else women couldn’t sing or greet someone.
2) Women are given permission to pray and prophecy while wearing head covering in 1 Corinthians 11:5 – how can they also keep silent?
3) The point of this whole chapter is to institute order in the church service (v 40). Paul was not creating doctrine regarding women preaching, but was solving a problem regarding women talking during the meeting.
1 Timothy 2:11-15
1) Learn submissively – Context: Paul is coaching Timothy, a new pastor in Ephesus that was known for Artemis worship and female domination.
2) Gynē can be translated woman or wife.
3) “Usurp authority” means to dominate, master another or even kill.
4) Saved through childbearing. Women don’t need Artemis to save them during childbearing,
Can a woman be a pastor?
A pastor is a shepherd is one who guards and guides the flock. What about an overseer, bishop, elder – a leadership position of authority and oversight in the church?
Qualifications for church leadership:
1 Timothy 3:1-7
1) There are no male nouns or pronouns here except “husband of one wife” which is literally “a one woman man.”
2) What sort of person should be in leadership – their character and spiritual legacy.
It’s “all hands on deck” in the kingdom of God!
I’m a pragmatist. I’m in favor of what works and I see female pastors leading people to Christ, making disciples, producing fruit and advancing the kingdom. Limiting women in ministry doesn’t make sense – it removes 50% of the workforce. Since women are called to make disciples then they must teach, preach, pray, prophesy and lead, etc. – not just other women and children.