Women in Church

There is a lot being said lately about the role of women in the Church.  Just like in the family, God has ordered the Church in such a way that every member has a different role.  The Church is described as a body with multiple parts.  If each part functions as it should, it is a healthy Church body.  Rather than impose our own view of how we think things should go or what roles we think we should take, let us look at what God tells us about the Church.  Christ is the foundation and head of the Church; therefore, we should be more concerned with His view of how the Church should function then our own.

Every member of the Church is of equal value.  As Paul says in Galatians 3:27-28, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  We are told that nationality, social status, and gender do not grant favor with God.  All of God’s people are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.  No one does anything to earn or deserve God’s mercy and grace.  We are also told not to give preferential treatment to people within the Church.  James 2:8-9 tells us, “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘ You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.  But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”  Regardless of anyone’s status in our community, in the Church everyone has equal standing.  We should not favor people who are wealthy or of high position in our community, nor should we cater to them in the hopes of a greater contribution from them in terms of influence or wealth.  In the reverse, we should not judge someone for their wealth and prefer others over them.

Everyone has a different role.  These different roles are designed so that we all work together.  Everything we do affects others in the Church.  Paul explains this with an analogy of a body in 1 Corinthians 12.  Verse 24b-26 tell us, “But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”  We are all to work together in unity, using the gifts that God has given us.  However, our work in the Church should also follow the order and structure that God has provided.  I believe that there are many ways that women can contribute to the work of the Church; however, there is a temptation to take on roles that were not part of God’s design for the Church.  When this happens, we not only disobey God, but we are causing the whole Church to suffer.

This means some people are leaders, some people are followers, and everyone works together under submission to Christ, as the head, and for His glory.  When discussing orderly worship in Church in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, Paul instructs that, “the women should keep silent in the churches.  For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.  If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home.  For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.”  This is referring to the worship service, not necessarily within the building where the church meets.  This does not mean that women are not allowed to talk and fellowship with others.  However, in the worship service, they should be quiet.  Women should not be leading worship in any way.  If there is something they do not understand, they should ask their husband privately, not speak out in the middle of the service.  This is to keep things orderly within the worship service, as outlined in the verses before and after these.  There are women who have a lot of knowledge and wisdom to share with others.  While women are instructed to teach and mentor other women, they are also told not to be teaching men.  In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he outlines how church leadership should be structured and who is qualified to serve in leadership.  It is specifically stated, in 1 Timothy 2:11-12, “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness.  I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”  This would prohibit women from preaching or holding a place of leadership, such as elders, in the church.  Women can, and should, teach other women, but they should not teach the whole church.  

God knows exactly how the family and Church work best.  In the current rhetoric of society, anytime someone is limited by rules or prohibited from doing something everyone assumes oppression.  However, that is not the case with the family and Church.  There is so much freedom and cooperation when everyone is fulfilling the role God has given to them.  We are still sinful people who make mistakes.  There are still times when we have disagreements and need to resolve conflict.  As long as we keep God’s Word as our guide and remember that we are all to submit to Christ as our Head, we will continue to learn, grow, and glorify God in our worship.