Monthly Archives: December 2010

12/16/10

Does God Use Women In Ministry?

Greetings Ladies,

Another Teaching based on “The Confident Woman” by Joyce Meyer and “The Holy Scriptures“.

One of the most controversial scriptures in the Bible is that expounded by Paul the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 14 NIV. “As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” 

This scripture has been misapplied for the entire history of the Christian church, and has impeded the ministry of the church. Women are especially inclined to instruct and to exhort.  Men can also be gifted this way–but it is my belief that women naturally love to instruct.  Women can also be outspoken, inquisitive, and demanding as human beings. We want to know what is going on right now.  This trait can bring troubles of its own.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing an issue in the church that arose out of the need for the church to transition from the pagan practices of the time before Christ’s death and resurrection into the Christian practices of the early church. Sad to say, a lot of those pagan ways are resurfacing in the church today and leading God’s people astray, and some practices were never purged from the church.

The early church was inhabited by many people who had come out of the pagan worship arena. Some pagan services were noisy and out of control, and many people brought this behavior into the assemblies of the early Christian church. Let me pause here to make a distinction between the prevailing worship attitude of the church today, that is inspired by God’s Holy Spirit, and the pagan attitude of worship that did not include the check of God’s Holy Spirit on the heart of His people. They erred for lack of knowledge.

The women, even though they were now in the Christian church, still carried the habits they had learned in the pagan worship ceremonies. The Jewish converts were also inclined to ask  for explanations of the service content. They would call out comments and questions due to the early church’s lack of providing education for their women. The Jewish temple structure included a women’s court. The women were not allowed into the inner temple area. As a result, they were forced to inquire of their husbands and sons as to what was occurring in the service.

There are many examples of the Apostle Paul’s association and work with women in the church. To name a few we have Priscilla, Tabitha, Phoebe, and Lydia. Paul gave high praise to all of these women. It would be contradictory to assume that he would embrace these women but no others. 

It is our role as workers in the Kingdom to listen to God’s Holy Spirit and to act upon His leading. There is no room for gender consideration in the Lord’s army. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for all are one in Christ Jesus”. Galatians 4:28

Source: Myer, Joyce. “The Confident Woman”. Copyright 2006. Warner Faith Hachette Book Group USA

All Scripture quotes taken from the Holy Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers,. NIV Version

12/2/10

“The Confident Woman” by Joyce Meyer: Revisited

Hi Ladies.

Joyce Meyer’s “The Confident Woman”  has been an inspirational text aimed at helping us to define who we are as confident Women of God. So far we have explored God’s concept of us as women and how closely His perceptions line up with our own. Sad-to-say, we are lacking more in our eyes than His.

Why are women so hard on themselves? I believe that it is a reflection of our environment and of our society. From childhood we are taught that there are specific gender roles that do not cross paths at any given point in time. Black and White. Men do this. Women do that. In my own experience this theory lacks validity.

I have done many things in my lifetime that in the past were considered specifically male roles. I have co-pastored a church as a licensed and ordained evangelist, teacher, and preacher. Growing up I never saw women in these specific roles. I only know that when I felt called by God to minister to His people–there was never a hesitation to do the work based upon my gender. Even today, many people consider female ministers to be heretics. I can only listen to the Lord’s still, small, voice and do His bidding. Not one person on this earth will be standing with me in The Judgement. We will all be judged as individuals. Whether male or female, always trust God’s Holy Spirit to lead you in the path made for you. Favor with man is great–but I treasure favor with God more.

Also realize that people will not always understand your ministry call. It is only through application of the Word and giving example to the body of how God uses women that light dawns in people’s hearts.  God is a God of mercy. He is not willing that any one should perish. What does this mean? It means that I am to strive to be used by God’s Spirit to grant mercy and grace to those who are struggling to either know God better,  or have never been in the position to know Him at all. As a woman of God I must never fail to pray, intercede, or love His people with Christ’s unconditional, agape love.

Is correction a Kingdom application? Yes.  Love is also correction and I believe as women, mothers,and grandmothers, there is an obligation to correct mistakes with love, though not with condemnation. ” For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17 NIV

As we continue to discover who we are as women in Jesus Christ let us strive to be the best that we can be. Let us make a resolution to seek the Word as our guide and to love our neighbors as ourselves.   

                                                                                 Charlene

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