women as ministers

Of course not. The Blood of Christ covers all the sins and mis-doings of those who trust in Him.

 

Well, it is a matter of interpretation. So you just have to go with the Lord puts in your heart. I would not put down anyone here for disagreeing with me on this one. As far as I'm concerned, in the Family of God as a whole, this is right up there with baptism, the Lord's Supper, and even speaking in tongues. We all have our interpretations that we will defend with great vigor. What matters is the basic message of the Gospel, "What have you done with Jesus?" Amen?

 

To inject a little light hearted humor.
Originally posted by Debby in Philly:
Did anyone read the link I posted?
Originally posted by Pa. Jim:
Of course not!

 

Quite frankly, this is how I look at this issue. If the Devil wanted to significantly reduce the impact of Christ's church on the world he would cause the following two things to happen:

1) Split Christ's Church into various denominations who won't work with each other due to minor differences in doctrine or tradition, and

2) Limit the effectiveness of 50% of the church (women) by putting restrictions on them.

Ask yourself this question. If Christ walked into a church this Sunday that had a woman pastor do you really believe He would walk up on the podium and angrily remove her simply because she's a woman? I can't see it happening.

When she dies and stands before judgement I believe she will hear those words we all long to hear, "Well Done My good and faithful servant."

 

What? About a woman being educated? Our church doesn't have a problem with women being educated. We will not accept a woman pastor (or deacons).

 

Following whats in your own heart means doing it your way no matter what scripture says.

 

Yes, but "what scripture says" is different things to different people. That's why we have division, and why we are even having this exchange here.

 

It means something different to people, not to God, to Him it means one thing. Even so, we are to follow scripture as our authroity on right and wrong and not, our feelings. Has everything you ever felt been good and in line with scripture?

 

I also believe there is only ONE meaning for scripture and not 'different meanings for different people'. New Agers (NNE ON THIS THREAD) like to use a little scripture with a lot of falsehoods to prove their point. Even the JW's and Mormon's will use scripture mixed with other things to prove their stance.

I think these verses talk about the misuse of scripture by groups like those I mentioned above. Even some Baptist churches have now accepted the gay population saying God didn't mean what he said.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

 

As least what I say is Biblical and compatible with Christ's teachings. Topics like this one make me think of an argument between Jesus and the Pharasees.

 

I couldn't agree more.

 

My husband is the pastor of our SBC church and before they hired him, they asked me if I'd be youth director (they didnt pressure me to.) That's how we worked at our previous church, so I was thrilled that we could continue to be a team. Then 2 years later when our "song leader" resigned, they hired me for that role as well. (I have a Masters in Church Music). They looked at other candidates, but they thought God had put me there for a reason. For our very small church
(and small salary) they would not have been able to get a man with the education that could support a family and not commute (they really didnt want a commuter- and we are waaaaaay out in the country). It has worked out beautifully. I coordinate the worship services according to DH's preaching plan, and staff meetings are a real hoot! I do not "usurp" authority over him in any way. He actually teaches me so much. Musically, I do teach males in a church setting, but I have the education, and they are eager to learn. As for teaching students, again, I have a seminary education and since many folks around here have GED's or a high school diploma only, they are getting more from me than they would from most men in our church. Now, I DO discuss with my husband every passage I teach because I dont want to just gloss over something or miss something. He attends every youth event and is usually the one who gives the "devotion" at these events. These teens spend tons of time in our home, eating our food, playing with our kids, and even sometimes spending the night. We talk straight with these kids, and they know we'll talk/listen on any topic they need to discuss. We really work as a team, and we love it. So call me director, minister, worker, I dont care, but as long as God provides the opportunity, I will minister to these kids. As for being able to relate to guy issues, well, I'm not a guy, but I do know and understand issues they have. Men dont menstruate (and its a shame!), but many can discuss it intelligently.

Our church would never go for women deacons or pastors, nor would I. But support roles in the church are NOT clearly lain out in the New Testament, no matter how many times the "usurping" verse is quoted. A class on the social setting of the New Testament (which is currently available at our church) would be tremendously helpful in understanding some issues in the New Testament that we try to fit into our own cultural ideas.

I havent really posted much on these topics that have been debated here lately, so there are all my would-be posts rolled into one!!!

 

The link by Debby in Philly presents the common arguments for ordaining women as pastors/elders. The position is known as egalitarianism, in contrast to complementarianism which holds that women are certainly gifted and qualified in many areas, but that they are not to be in the position of pastor or deacon in the church. This came up under a thread about women deacons and I had planned to complete my response earlier this week, just have lost control of my schedule due to circumstances beyond my complete control. Posting to the board is somewhat of a leisure activity for me and I have lost most of my leisure time this week. Hope to complete a detailed response by middle of next week. Since it will be somewhat detailed at points, will probably put in on the theology section. Will come back here with a link though.

In the meanwhile, here is an excellent site that presents the complementarian (and I believe the Biblical) side of the issue.

http://www.cbmw.org/questions/