Women in Ministry
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Posted: 03/26/08
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Women in Ministry
Dr. David M. Berman
www.wakeupandsmellthetruth.com
Pastor, Author, Columnist
When dealing with the question; "Should women be in ministry?" we should really rephrase the question. The proper question should be; "What ministry should women be in?" The reason we have this question in the first place is due to the upheaval in our culture as it moves away from the biblical mandates of personal behavior and order. It used to be a given that men were ministers. God is the God of order. When he created Adam and Eve he had set things in order. When sin entered the world through the disobedience of the first couple the world was introduced to disorder. That is what sin brings. The multiplication of sin has brought more disorder. The Christian life is really a fight between order and disorder. It is a fight between authority and rebellion. As we submit to God's Word, we walk in order. However if we allow the pressures of a disorderly culture move us we are walking in disorder. This is true no matter what our "feelings" may tell us. God's Word is not subject to feelings and emotions. It is the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). The world system (sinful disorder) will always attempt to influence the biblical Church (order and authority). All people including young and old, male or female are vital to the Lord's Church. The question is a matter of authority and spiritual position in God's plan in this present age (The Church Age). Let us first look at this important question of authority;
Authority and Order
1 Corinthians 14:40 "Let all things be done decently and in order"
Titus 1:5 "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee"
Obey Church Leaders
Hebrews 13:17 "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you"
1 Thessalonians 1:6 "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost"
1 Timothy 5:17 "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."
Ministers are called to be
1) (Messengers called "angles") Revelation 1:20-2:1 "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;"
2) (Elders) 1 Timothy 5:17 "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine."
3) (God's workers in spiritual ministry) 1 Thessalonians 3:2 "And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:"
4) (Men of God) 1 Timothy 6:11 "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."
5) (Ministers of the Church) Colossians 1:24-25 "Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God;"
God has made specific requirements concerning who is in authority and who is not. When it comes to the family unit, it is clear that the husband is in authority;
Ephesians 5:22-24 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing."
A very important scripture concerning who is to be an Elder or Pastor is the following one;
1 Timothy 3:4-5 "One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)"
This passage clearly links the authority of a man in his home to the authority of men in the Church. It is clear that God also put men in charge of His Church. God has established his authority structure and has clearly place men in leadership over women. We see this principle in numerous places in the bible. Here are a few more examples;
Titus 2:5 "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."
1 Peter 3:1-6 "Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement."
1 Corinthians 11:8-9 "For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man."
The issue of women in ministry is not an issue of if, but rather what ministry? The answer is this. A woman may serve in the church in various capacities as long as those capacities do not violate the principles of authority and male leadership. Since my position is a biblical one and not a politically correct one I will sum it up. Women are not to be Elders, Pastors, or any of the five ministry offices listed in Ephesians 4:11 since that would be a violation of God's Word. Women may be in spiritual authority over other women and children but not over men. Since the qualifications listed in 1Timothy 3 also state that a deacon must be "the husband of one wife" (1Tim 3:2), it is also clear that the office of Deacon should be held by males. Women may serve with great results in many ministries however not as Pastors/Elders/Deacons. Jesus chose 12 men to be the foundational leaders of the Church, and the apostles said to choose seven men to be Deacons. It is important to remember that this issue has nothing to do with worth, or ability. There are many women that have great abilities. It has everything to do with order and authority. God has placed the family unit, and the Church in a certain order. To ordain women as Pastors/Elders/Deacons is a violation of the Word of God and due to either a lack of scriptural understanding, or simply an attempt to make the bible say what meets the desire. We must not allow cultural pressure or political correctness to dictate to the Church its authority structure.
Dr. David M. Berman
Senior Pastor, Author, Convention Speaker
211 Whitcomb Road
P.O. Box 10357
Swanzey, NH. 03446
Phone 603 352 9471
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