Is it wrong for a woman to lead a church?

Slimdust

I have always been taught that woman should not lead, one reason I strongly disagree with Hilary for president. But what have you been taught. Is it ok for a woman to be a pastor?

chops

Yes it is. Women throughout history have been great leaders. (Mother Terresa, Margaret Thatcher) I am with you on Hillary just not for the same reasons

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Dont let your girlfriend see this Slim or you are going to be sleeping alone for a while

Joe Cool

Administrator

??

The church doesn't teach a woman shouldn't lead.

At least the modern church doesn't.

That kind of thinking is archaic and outdated.

There are many prominent and great woman pastors.

Slimdust

lol, actually she feels strongly about it. She doesnt think that woman should lead.

"But I suffer not a woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Timothy 2:12).

Joe, do you have any scripture to go by or just a opinion? Im just curious about this topic.

Joe Cool

Administrator

There is much evidence to indicate that women had important leadership roles in the early church and basically things were changed to adhere to the pressure from the culture at the time which was highly sexist and male based.

Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

This references women preaching or teaching which would infer "leading" to me and many others.

There's nothing that references sex in "teaching" or "leading" limitations

Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 21 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. 22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

Jesus himself is referenced in scripture as NOT demanding women heel to men or groveling before them.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.


1 Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

I would advise that if your church is teaching you to not allow women leaders then look closely at the history of that and you'll see that it doesn't follow modern doctrine.

I could go on and on about this but i'll spare you the long winded write up.

I'm sure you get my point.

Slimdust

I am not saying woman shoudlnt teach at all, just that they shouldnt lead. idk, let me do some research and see if I can find anything.

Thanx for all the info though joe.

Joe Cool

Administrator

The key thing to remember here sir is scripture is often interpreted differently based on who's reading it. Paul cautions against this in another passage as many people were quoting incorrect scriptural meaning at the time.

I think if you look at this history, as I'm sure you're doing now, you'll find that there's a passage saying that women should be quiet in church but that is left open to meaning several different things.

It doesn't necessarily mean that they are not meant to lead or become prominent figures in spiritual guidance.

Joe Cool

Administrator

Some further examples for you

Slimdust

CNN Transcript - Larry King Live: Should Women Be Pastors? - June 14, 2000

^ That is just a link i found that I thought was a pretty interesting read that supports both sides.