Women's Silence in the Church

Has God Called Women to a Place of Public Ministry?

I think this question is most often asked in the context of the ministry graces mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 (apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors, and evangelists). In many circles today, it is common for women to function in these callings. Without looking at all the scriptures used to justify this practice, I wish to point out one principle. Are these not all functions of leadership and authority, including authority over men? Paul gives the basic qualifications for these men in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 (I believe the qualifications for "deacons" are the qualifications for ministers). As revealed in the Genesis account, God created Eve to be a helper, but never to take the same role as Adam.

A statement often made is this: "If we eliminate women from the ministry (or function of the church), we eliminate half of the church." While on first thought this may seem logical, I do not believe it is a true statement at all. God does not eliminate women from ministry. He has just given them a role that is different from men, and when sisters give themselves to the ministry God has called them to, it is glorious and effective for the purpose of God.

There are many passages of scripture that describe the ministry God has given to women. It is not our purpose here to expand on all of those. But in simple terms, it is a ministry of "helps" that support the ministries given to men, and they need that help very much. God has given sisters a very important ministry, and without it, the overall ministry is greatly affected.

Paul describes ministry in the church in terms of a physical body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you." No member can tell another member they have no need of them. God has so designed the body that even the smallest member we may think is not important is very important. But God chooses the grace and function of each member, and it is the responsibility of each member to be submitted to the head (Christ) and function where God places them. God is concerned about the whole body functioning together. I, by myself, am not the body of Christ. We are the body of Christ together, so God's focus is "together." Because that is God's design, we dare not try to function in another way. The natural tendency of man is to move independently, but that is not God's way. Let us all accept His design and move in faith together.

What about the gifts of the Spirit? Are the sisters expected to move in all the gifts of the Spirit, along with the brothers? My answer is yes, but again within the order of God. The gifts of the Spirit are open to all, according to the choice and direction of the Holy Spirit. But God will not violate His will or ultimate purpose as the church gathers and functions in the exercise of those gifts. A woman may sense God speaking to her in the time of gathering, but that does not mean she must speak out that word publicly at that time (see 1 Corinthians 14:32). The gifts of the Spirit are available to all members, every day, in every situation, as the Holy Spirit wills. A woman will want to please God in her exercise of the gifts so as not to usurp authority, but rather move quietly to minister grace as God directs.

Next: Some Additional Encouragement