FEMALE PREACHERS...

[newgreaterlover]

Why is there two(2) threads on this subject started by the same person?
is it that serious?

Be Blessed

[treetree]

essenceo1, i do agree, yes Gods word has been changed several times down through the years, but us that have a relationship with God it is our duty to talk to the Lord and see what the spirit is really saying to our church and the word says God he's the same yesterday and forever more then if we go to john 1:1 it says in the beginning was the word, the word was with God and the word was God. so despite the word being changed many times, i just believe its up to us to tell God just give me clerity in your word, because like you said it is common sence, because the bible says even a fool can't not understand hes word(paraphrasing) but it's just that we have people that try to fix the word to their so that their situation seems okay when its not. thats why i just say don't water it down, just give me the word

[T-Block]

Well, my belief is that if God truly calls a man or woman to do anything, then it should be alright. After all, it is God who is working through them anyway. If you don't like what God is doing, then you don't have to, but I wouldn't suggest that because you have to do what He says do in order to get to Heaven. So, I see no problem with women preahers, pastors, etc.

[tyluvtosing]

:?  I just have one question and maybe someone can help me understand, Where in The BIBLE did God Call A Woman To Preach??

Because in my BIBLE it Does Not Say Anything About A Woman Preaching.
And i Read The King James Version of The Scofield Bible.

[1stLady]

What is a preacher but a messenger of Christ.  Did not Jesus send Mary to the disciples(after his ressurection), with a message.  
This will be something that will go on in the body of Christ until He comes back.  As a Female Preacher, definitely called, anointed, appointed and equipped by God, I encourage all Women in Ministry (not just those in the pulpit) to continue to do what you do as long as you are doing it for Jesus.   God Bless

[dcweats]

:?  I just have one question and maybe someone can help me understand, Where in The BIBLE did God Call A Woman To Preach??

Because in my BIBLE it Does Not Say Anything About A Woman Preaching.
And i Read The King James Version of The Scofield Bible.

Hey T. I think you may have hit upon the "X factor" in this disscussion as well as all other discussions about this topic...."Called to preach"

I think the "confusion" if you can call it that, is defining "being called".  In the BIBLE:
What do we think "being called" to preach really means or consists of?
Are there specific words that need to be uttered in order to say someone is "called"?  
Who does the "calling"?
Is there a specific act or motion that has to take place in order to says "Person X" has now been called to preach?
When Christ rose from the grave and told them to go tell of His rising, does that mean they are  "called to preach"?

If we can come to an agreement on what that means then we might be able finally answer the question of if a woman was called to preach!

Easier typed than done, I know! LOL!!

Just something to think about

DCW

[1stLady]

I have a little saying with my daughter when she asks me certain questions.  I tell her that there are some things that we are just never going to know.  She asks me some things and I tell her I don't know when we get to heaven remember to ask Jesus.  But you know what when I get there it won't even matter.
Said all of that to say this, Look ya'll no the bible does not word for word say that God called a Woman to preach but neither does it say word for word that He didn't call a woman to preach.  If you want to go back to Paul, like everybody tries to do, don't take scripture for face value.  Know why Paul(notice I said Paul)said what he said and who Paul was talking to.  (Women be silent in the church)... Paul was speaking to a people, the Corinthian church, who in those days sat on the opposite side of the church men on one side and women on the other.  Could you imagine a women hollering across the church because she had to ask her husband a question.  If we are going to discuss the Word let's know doing in context of the Word.  Let's know what we are talking about.  Most of all in our reading the Bible, pray before reading that God will give revelation.  That way we will be speaking from the Spirit of God(what God has given unto us) and not from the spirit of man(what we gave to us)
God Bless
"Female Preacher"  

[jayjay]

This is the type of stuff that keeps the body of Christ divided.  When are we going to finally settle these questions and issues and use our time to actually get the work done.  We worry about women running the church, when we have great examples of women leading people to salvation.  How much more do women have to do to prove  that they are as capable as a man to preach and pastor.  Women will make the same mistakes and have the same successes like any man in ministry and that's fine. We practice prejudice in the chucrh and find scriptures to back our views-what's new!  It just seems to me that this is the same type of legalism that Jesus tried to point out that eventually led to His crucifixion.  "You can't heal on the Sabbath" " You can't talk to her she's not of our group" "Is it lawful to pay taxes?"  We say that it's against the word, well much of what Jesus did was considered against the word at that time by the higher ups of that religion.  Somehow we put much more on positions in church than is necessary.  Yes, it's important to have a competent and capable spiritual leader, who can teach the word in authority and who is gifted to show people the way to God, but so far I don't see where those abilities are male only.  Yeah, it does say in the word that women should be quiet and not teach, but maybe that was said becasue there could have been some loud mouth busy body old bitty types that wwere trying to take over(ya'll know the type).  Paul may have had to sit them down not becasue they were women, but maybe those particular women could have been teaching things against the teachings of the Apostles or trying to run the church without approval or following the proper chain of command.  Knowing some church folk it's more likely that Paul had to put a cork in the bottle before a mess happened.  Many things in the bible have plain ordinary reasons for why somethings were said.  In my opinion if it doesn't cause hurt or harm to anyone and it promotes kingdom living then why not?   There will always be enough men preachers and pastors around if that's what you're comfortable with, but women should be allowed to go as high as they are called to go in the church- If they can't -then lets stop baptizing them.

"Paul was speaking to a people, the Corinthian church, who in those days sat on the opposite side of the church men on one side and women on the other. Could you imagine a women hollering across the church because she had to ask her husband a question. If we are going to discuss the Word let's know doing in context of the Word. Let's know what we are talking about."

One of the reasons for the.... "Women should not teach"... in the word...  is because of their emotions...  I believe it is around the 14th or 15th verse of the the same book of Timothy that he covers this topic.  Also, if you go to the book of Corinthians and Gen...  there is more on this...

Yes, know the word is important...  However, there is more to the word... Than the Bible!  There are things that were/ are/ have been done...  that were never recorded in the Bible...  Now, I live a few miles from the regions discussed in the word and I have been blessed to learn things that...normal Americans have not had the pleasure to see.... nor know.

The bible reads.... Jesus did so so much... yet it all is not recorded.... Again, there is more to the word than... just opening the book and reading... study to show your self approved.....

The Female Preacher...

[jayjay]

There is more to the word than what is recorded.  I believe that is exactly the point.  We have to take into context the culture, language, history and even attitudes in order to get the point.  That is why it is so important to study and get information from various resources and compare them to get to truth, that way we won't latch onto a couple of verses and make them more important than necessary.  Many of us take scripture and focus on bullet points like "women in ministry".  This to me takes the focus off of what really scripture is meant to do, and that is to tell us about a saving God who keeps showing us how and calling us to dwell in love.  I, like most of us, use to see the bible as static-that's the it was- so that's the way it should be now, but I'm beginning to wonder if God is not still writing the bible through us even today.  We certainly use the word to uphold the beliefs we have today.  It really is the greatest story ever told and the story is ongoing. I hope the bible is not stuck in time.  I hope that the bible is relevant to us now.  Some things may not ever be accepted under the word and that's fine and necessary.  There needs to be some boundaries and standards, but I don't believe that God would put a gift in someone and then tell them not to use it.  Paul is considered the greatest evangelist in christianity and rightly so, but he lived in a culture that expected women to be subserveant to men.  We, in some parts of the world, don't live in that type of culture anymore.  So, what does that mean to us today in relationship to the word?  Are we now saying that women in ministry is a sin?  Are we saying that  if you preach and teach the word of God,  and you're a women,  then you have fallen short of the glory of God?  Are we saying that God doesn't respect or love women who lead others to Him?  Are we saying that God will approve and even support the church practicing sexism, because of a couple of verses in the bible written 2000 yrs ago?  We can take it even further- Are we saying women who teach and guide their male children even into adulthood are bad mothers?  Are we saying that those women who teach male ministrial students in many theology schools are wrong and out of place?  Are we saying that the women who are now Rabbi's in the very faith that Christianity was born out of are no good?  Let's face it no matter how we personally feel  or even what the word says about women in ministry(No he didn't go there child), the cat's out of the bag-women are in the ministry now and they are there to stay.  Peace

[jhath]

The Great Commission...

14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.


I don't know about everyone else, but I consider myself a disciple... there is a fine line between ministering and preaching. The question here should not be whether women are allowed to minister... Here we are commanded to preach. I personallydon't believe that women should pastor. Thats where I believe the line is, but keep in mind... we are all commanded to go preach the gospel

[gospelqueen]

what do you mean by preaching? female pastors or preaching as a ministry? female pastorship is against the Bible but as far as preaching the word of God you'll find that there are a couple of women that preached the word of God w/power adn authority in the Bible.

[bug]

This is a hot topic. This discussion will never end. I have seen women do as well as men in almost everything I have done in my life.  I have worked for women boses.  They tend to be more nurturing.  Women also seem to be more petty, about things that don't matter.  Men carry the seed.  Men are the germinators of life.  Physical strength isn't needed nearly as much now as in my fathers day. He was a steel worker, born in 1919 died in 1990.  He was very macho.  I worked in steel mills where women did not work on the floor. In later years of the early 1980's big women swept the floors and worked labor on the finishing end of production, not basic steel making.  We had a women's company in the US Army. Charlie Company First Batallion Third Brigade was women.  They never saw combat though.

I used to think men bring fun to life.  They tend to be more comical, and don't take things as seriously as women.  Today there are women comedienes who are quite funny.

Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi.  They are men.  It was probably based on tradition.  The Roman Catholic Church(world-wide church) holds to the tradition of men speakers, and has a different ministry for women.

Since speaking does not put the speaker in a violent situation.  I see no danger in letting women deliver a sermon or homily. I'm only a church musician. I set no policy.  My opinion doesn't mean anything.  I am not an expert on this subject.

It seems unfair to deny a significant part of your population the chance to speak.  After all we are not Islamic, where women are denied so many rights. I say let women be speakers and deliver the sermon and /or homily, lets break with an outdated tradition.

[jayjay]

What are we to do with those women who are successful pastors?  Some denominations have even allowed women to be elevated to bishop.  This thread does make me want to know why these denominations who are reading the same bible that the rest of us are reading allow such things to happen.  Maybe the difference is that there are some who interpret the bible literally and others who don't.  What ever the case one thing we do know and that is "The harvest is ripe, but the laborers are few."  Love and Peace to all ya'll.

[ggrosse]

I think we must remeber that preaching (declaring) the gospel and leadership in the church are not the same. They are two different and distinct things.
We have ALL (born again believers) been commisioned by the Lord to spread the gospel and win souls. The problem we face with that is most of us associate preaching with what happens in church behind the pulpit rather than what SHOULD happen in our personal relationships with others.

However, LEADERSHIP in the church should be of the MALE gender. Why? Simple. The church is based off of the lowest and simplest social organISM (not organization) created... THE FAMILY. Being so, God created the male to be the spiritual head, leader and solely responsible for the family.

Notice in Gen. that God created man FIRST and then when he created women God brought the women to the man and HE (MAN) named her not God ..... and God approved. Why? Because God established the order of leadership and had respect  of Adam's role.

Also note, when THEY sinned, who did God come looking for.. that's right.. The Man.

Note: None of the disciples were FEMALE. All were male.. and it wasn't because Jesus was a biggot or afraid to break custom or tradition.. he broke tradition and custom (and preached against it) many times and the reglious leaders of the day looked down on Jesus for doing it. Jesus set the example of how the leadership role in the church should be formed and selected.

The MEN are to be the spiritual heads and the leaders of the home and they should be the spiritual heads and leaders of the church.

Note that the qualifications of an Elder are all based on Males as well as on his family relationship... if he has a family. Once again, this isn't because of the tradition of the Jews or social purposes.. it's because GOD designed for Males to be the spiritual heads of their familes as well as the church which is based upon the family.

Can women "preach"-declare the gospel (good news) --- YES. Look at the women who declared that Jesus was risen from the grave.
Can they exercise spiritual gifts and in prophesy - yes.
Can they run the church. No.
Can they pastor a church. No.
Can they be Bishops? No.
Can they be Elders? No.

We have the see the greater picture. THE FAMILY and ROLES that GOD has established for the Male and Female. Especially in this day and age where GENDER ROLES are being erased.

The leadership in the church is messed up so much because the leadership, or lack of leadership, in the home is messed.

Leadership in the home is messed up because leadership in the church is messed.

God Help Us!

[ggrosse]

This is a hot topic. This discussion will never end. I have seen women do as well as men in almost everything I have done in my life.  I have worked for women boses.  They tend to be more nurturing.  Women also seem to be more petty, about things that don't matter.  Men carry the seed.  Men are the germinators of life.  Physical strength isn't needed nearly as much now as in my fathers day. He was a steel worker, born in 1919 died in 1990.  He was very macho.  I worked in steel mills where women did not work on the floor. In later years of the early 1980's big women swept the floors and worked labor on the finishing end of production, not basic steel making.  We had a women's company in the US Army. Charlie Company First Batallion Third Brigade was women.  They never saw combat though.

I used to think men bring fun to life.  They tend to be more comical, and don't take things as seriously as women.  Today there are women comedienes who are quite funny.

Jesus was a Jewish Rabbi.  They are men.  It was probably based on tradition.  The Roman Catholic Church(world-wide church) holds to the tradition of men speakers, and has a different ministry for women.

Since speaking does not put the speaker in a violent situation.  I see no danger in letting women deliver a sermon or homily. I'm only a church musician. I set no policy.  My opinion doesn't mean anything.  I am not an expert on this subject.

It seems unfair to deny a significant part of your population the chance to speak.  After all we are not Islamic, where women are denied so many rights. I say let women be speakers and deliver the sermon and /or homily, lets break with an outdated tradition.

I think the real question should be at what price is their success coming?
Yes they can be successful leaders. Yes you can raise a family without a father or male. But at what price? At what price is society paying for fathers being absent from the home?

[ggrosse]

There is more to the word than what is recorded.  I believe that is exactly the point.  We have to take into context the culture, language, history and even attitudes in order to get the point.  That is why it is so important to study and get information from various resources and compare them to get to truth, that way we won't latch onto a couple of verses and make them more important than necessary.  Many of us take scripture and focus on bullet points like "women in ministry".  This to me takes the focus off of what really scripture is meant to do, and that is to tell us about a saving God who keeps showing us how and calling us to dwell in love.  I, like most of us, use to see the bible as static-that's the it was- so that's the way it should be now, but I'm beginning to wonder if God is not still writing the bible through us even today.  We certainly use the word to uphold the beliefs we have today.  It really is the greatest story ever told and the story is ongoing. I hope the bible is not stuck in time.  I hope that the bible is relevant to us now.  Some things may not ever be accepted under the word and that's fine and necessary.  There needs to be some boundaries and standards, but I don't believe that God would put a gift in someone and then tell them not to use it.  Paul is considered the greatest evangelist in christianity and rightly so, but he lived in a culture that expected women to be subserveant to men.  We, in some parts of the world, don't live in that type of culture anymore.  So, what does that mean to us today in relationship to the word?  Are we now saying that women in ministry is a sin?  Are we saying that  if you preach and teach the word of God,  and you're a women,  then you have fallen short of the glory of God?  Are we saying that God doesn't respect or love women who lead others to Him?  Are we saying that God will approve and even support the church practicing sexism, because of a couple of verses in the bible written 2000 yrs ago?  We can take it even further- Are we saying women who teach and guide their male children even into adulthood are bad mothers?  Are we saying that those women who teach male ministrial students in many theology schools are wrong and out of place?  Are we saying that the women who are now Rabbi's in the very faith that Christianity was born out of are no good?  Let's face it no matter how we personally feel  or even what the word says about women in ministry(No he didn't go there child), the cat's out of the bag-women are in the ministry now and they are there to stay.  Peace

Are you saying that Jesus, the Son of God, was "SEXIST"? A Biggot?
Jesus, who knew all before there was anything or anyone? He who understood what the future was going to bring? He who BROKE with TRADITION and SOCIAL NORMs. Are you saying that HE never set the example for LEADERSHIP in choosing all Men and NOT ONE women to be his disciple?

Are you saying that the bible is a book which exisits in correctness only according to the time in which it was written? It's Falliable? We need to "re-interpret it" so that it becomes meanful to us today?

I THINK NOT!

[ggrosse]

I have a little saying with my daughter when she asks me certain questions.  I tell her that there are some things that we are just never going to know.  She asks me some things and I tell her I don't know when we get to heaven remember to ask Jesus.  But you know what when I get there it won't even matter.
Said all of that to say this, Look ya'll no the bible does not word for word say that God called a Woman to preach but neither does it say word for word that He didn't call a woman to preach.  If you want to go back to Paul, like everybody tries to do, don't take scripture for face value.  Know why Paul(notice I said Paul)said what he said and who Paul was talking to.  (Women be silent in the church)... Paul was speaking to a people, the Corinthian church, who in those days sat on the opposite side of the church men on one side and women on the other.  Could you imagine a women hollering across the church because she had to ask her husband a question.  If we are going to discuss the Word let's know doing in context of the Word.  Let's know what we are talking about.  Most of all in our reading the Bible, pray before reading that God will give revelation.  That way we will be speaking from the Spirit of God(what God has given unto us) and not from the spirit of man(what we gave to us)
God Bless
"Female Preacher"  

ALL scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit for our learning and understanding. There is nothing "Fallible" about the scripture. God established that the Male was to be head of the home thus head of the church. Notice how Paul always quotes the orginal intention of God when making Man. We don't need to re-interpret it. It is as meaningful to us today as when it was written. God desired that MEN would be the spiritual haed of the home as well as the church.

THE SPIRIT OF THIS AGE says that women can be the head of the home as well as the church... not the Spirit of God.

[viperig]

I Timothy 2 does, indeed, address the roles and behavior of women in the church. It was pointed out to me, however, that Paul wrote these instructions in reference to one particular group of worshippers. I searched Paul's epistles to churches at other locations, and I could not find a single instance where he gave to other churches the same directions regarding women. Although I have not searched outside the Bible for the background of I Timothy, I was taught that the women of this particular group were bringing in pagan customs and that is why Paul gave those instructions. As someone else pointed out, there are repeated instances throughout the Bible of women serving as religious leaders. Paul commends a few of them. Why would he commend women in one letter and condemn their service in another? The answer is to look at I Timothy as specific directions for a particular group rather than for all churches.

[ggrosse]

anyone can preach, but to be a pastor was once originially designed for a man, however, times change. Does it make it right or wrong for a woman to preach. Answer is NO, does it make it right or wrong for a woman to be a pastor (which is a position of leadership)? Well that's the real question... In my preference i'd rather go to a church with the pastor (not preacher or minister) is a Man, It just seems kind of odd kind of like that female lion is the leader of the pack...

Times may have change but God's plan for the MALE and HIS ROLE haven't.

THE SPIRIT OF THIS AGE is not the SPIRIT OF GOD. Which one are we following?