Should a Woman Preach?

[evangelist6589]

I am NOT talking about preaching in the church as that one is obvious but street preaching. I am not interested in any debates from those whom believe in women pastors as this thread is strictly about street preaching, thank you. I just cant find any evidence in the Bible to forbid a woman from preaching on the streets as an evangelist. Once I checked with CBMW and the person whom emailed me back said he did not find anything neither so a woman is to be free to preach in that context. If you do not believe in street preaching, please do not post as I want this thread on topic.

If I am wrong I want evidence but it has to be Biblical. There are no examples in the Bible of a female street preacher that I am aware of, but that does not mean one cannot be an evangelist. What say you?

 

[Jerome]

Deja vu?

E6589, 2011:
http://www.baptistboard.com/showthread.php?t=75678

I have to wonder if the Bible forbids a woman to preach in a street evangelism context. I do a bit of open air preaching and tract distribution. I have encouraged women in my singles group to also open air in their spare time. Since the context is outside the church and into the streets as a non formal church activity, I have to wonder if women are forbidden to preach or teach in this context. I asked CBMW what they say, and they will get back to me, as this is a tough question. I have seen Way of the Master women street preachers and for this context this may be okay for women to do if they are comfortable. What do you say?

 

[Jope]

There are no examples in the Bible of a female street preacher that I am aware of

What about Mary? .

Matt. 28 ESV, bold emphasis mine
5But the angel said to the women [Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome, cf. Mark 16:1-7], “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”​

 

[Jope]

I think that sowing the seed is different than watering it (1 Cor. 3:6-8), and I think it's o.k. for women to sow the seed, but not to water it (at least for men, cf. Titus 2:4).

1 Corinthians 3 ESV
6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.​

("sowing" the seed meaning, preaching that Christ has died and risen).

("watering" the seed meaning, preaching the Word of God that is able to build the saint up and make him wise unto salvation, Acts 20:32; 2 Tim. 3:15).

 

[annsni]

I'm personally not into street preaching but I'd definitely share the Gospel with anyone. However, if I led a man to the Lord, I'd get him together with a more mature man of God for discipleship. I wouldn't be involved in that because I just think it's best for a man to disciple a man and a woman a woman.

 

[evangelist6589]

I'm personally not into street preaching but I'd definitely share the Gospel with anyone. However, if I led a man to the Lord, I'd get him together with a more mature man of God for discipleship. I wouldn't be involved in that because I just think it's best for a man to disciple a man and a woman a woman.

Its okay as street preaching is not for everyone. What you say after is very wise. Men better disciple men, and women better disciple women. The other post is correct in that planting seeds is not the same as watering them. Watering them is the work of a pastor not an evangelist. Very well said Ann.

 

[Crabtownboy]

A majority of the best sermons I have heard in the last 20 years have been by women, in China, in the States and in Europe.

 

[evangelist6589]

A majority of the best sermons I have heard in the last 20 years have been by women, in China, in the States and in Europe.

Wait thats not what I was talking about. I am speaking about evangelists (street preachers). Women should not teach or preach in the church.

 

[Dr. Bob]

As long as they have their head covered (and if she will not wear a covering, let her hair be cut off too)

Far as I can tell this is the only restriction on a woman prophesying (proclaiming) the Gospel.

Not a pastor, of course, but as the op stated, simply preaching the Gospel.

 

[salzer mtn]

As one CoG replied to me one time when I told him I didn't believe a woman should preacher, He said, sure God calls women to preach, Mary carried the WORD didn't she ?:tonofbricks:

 

[annsni]

As one CoG replied to me one time when I told him I didn't believe a woman should preacher, He said, sure God calls women to preach, Mary carried the WORD didn't she ?:tonofbricks:

Now THAT is convoluted!

 

[HankD]

It happens as related to many Baptist churches already.

Many married missionary couples come to the local churches to give an accounting of the work with the wives speaking to a mixed audience. Well, there is almost always some "preaching" from the ladies, an admonition or something similar in their testimony as to the nature of God, etc...

Female chair persons (e.g. Sunday School superintendent) giving a report is also a place for Christian women to voice opinions.

Also at prayer meetings many fine Christian ladies will give a mini-sermon encapsulated in their prayer.

Personally as long as the ladies are submissive to the pastor/elder(s)/deacon(s) I believe it is in line with the scripture.

In fact, any time a pastor of a given local church invites a woman to speak then the scripture has not been violated (IMO).
Of course he is then responsible for the pupit.

As to street preaching - Ladies, if you want to preach in the streets make sure you go with church men who will protect you.

Many years ago in Boston our local church would send out a contingency of street preachers to the Boston Common on occassion. Some of the church women who went along with us would (for the most part) pass out tracts and mingle in the crowd looking for those who appeared to have a genuine interest in the message.

Elders and deacons would watch for trouble to nip things in the bud.

We never (to my recollection) had a "bad" experience (scary - yes, bad - no).

HankD

 

[Crabtownboy]

Wait thats not what I was talking about. I am speaking about evangelists (street preachers). Women should not teach or preach in the church.

Personally I do not think we should ever try to limit God in how his message is gotten out to people.

I am not sure what is meant by "preaching" in this thread. However, women from the seminary would go out at least once a week to talk with and witness to prostitutes. To me testifying is preaching. Preaching does not have to be to an audience. Preaching can be on-on-one witnessing.

As I said, never limit God. Anyway, God won't go into that pigeonhole.

 

[Aaron]

A majority of the best sermons I have heard in the last 20 years have been by women, in China, in the States and in Europe.

Scratches those itching ears, doesn't it?

 

[annsni]

Personally I do not think we should ever try to limit God in how his message is gotten out to people.

I am not sure what is meant by "preaching" in this thread. However, women from the seminary would go out at least once a week to talk with and witness to prostitutes. To me testifying is preaching. Preaching does not have to be to an audience. Preaching can be on-on-one witnessing.

As I said, never limit God. Anyway, God won't go into that pigeonhole.

I don't believe anyone is limiting God - but God has limited the role of women in the church. I believe that He stands by His Word and thus will not expect a woman to disobey Him.

 

[Crabtownboy]

I don't believe anyone is limiting God - but God has limited the role of women in the church. I believe that He stands by His Word and thus will not expect a woman to disobey Him.

Not in my understanding of the NT ... but we have had this conversation before.

 

[evangelist6589]

Personally I do not think we should ever try to limit God in how his message is gotten out to people.

I am not sure what is meant by "preaching" in this thread. However, women from the seminary would go out at least once a week to talk with and witness to prostitutes. To me testifying is preaching. Preaching does not have to be to an audience. Preaching can be on-on-one witnessing.

As I said, never limit God. Anyway, God won't go into that pigeonhole.

Its not about limiting God its about being accurate with our words. Preaching must be done Biblically and according to 1 Tim 2-3, 1 Cor 14, etc as far as in the church. But witnessing is a different deal and women should do that.

 

[evangelist6589]

Not in my understanding of the NT ... but we have had this conversation before.

You have taken this thread COMPLETELY OT and did not read the OP. I said clearly that this thread is not a debate with those who think woman can be pastors.

I am not interested in any debates from those whom believe in women pastors as this thread is strictly about street preaching, thank you.

 

[evangelist6589]

As long as they have their head covered (and if she will not wear a covering, let her hair be cut off too)

Far as I can tell this is the only restriction on a woman prophesying (proclaiming) the Gospel.

Not a pastor, of course, but as the op stated, simply preaching the Gospel.

Do you attend a Presbyterian or Plymouth Brethren type of church? Or did you once attend Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville, SC? They believe in the head covering deal. I personally believe that their hair is their covering.

 

[DocTrinsoGrace]

Limits

Personally I do not think we should ever try to limit God in how his message is gotten out to people.

I heartily agree with Crabtownboy on this point. We should never try to limit God. Rather, God is our Lord and King. He instituted the church and its ordinances (Matthew 10:2; Hebrews 12:23-24). He may choose by His own wisdom (1 John 3:20) and good counsels (Ephesians 1:11b), how we ought to minister His Word. We are blessed that He has not left this up to our fads and fancy (Ephesians 4:14-15) or to the caprice of our culture (1 Corinthians 2:12-13). We have the entire Kerygma on which the church is built (Ephesians 2:20)! Our Lord has even equipped the church with everything we need (Ephesians 4:1-13)!

More to the current question, we have another particular blessing: We have the explicit instructions of the Word that we can point our women to, stating in perspicuous terms, who to preach to, what to preach about, what virtues to instill and vices to avoid, specifically so that God will not be dishonored! (Isn't that wonderful? By carefully walking this through, God will not be dishonored! Wow!)

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

(Titus 2:3-5 NASB)

What a wonderful God we have who settles all of these issues for us, so far in advance of our even needing it! Stephen Lutz said a few years back, "God's provision always precedes our need." Amen!