Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I agree with Leigh when she says, “This question cannot be answered in one post.” At least not in a way that everyone will understand what you’re attempting to say.

I think one of the primary reasons confusion exists in this area is because we fail to separate role from value. God honors women as well as men. We are, male and female, made in the image of God. That doesn’t mean that whatever a man can do a woman should do, or vice versa. It also doesn’t mean that any man or woman should do whatever they’re ABLE to do. There is an order in the Trinity between Father, Son, and Spirit that is reflected in countless ways in creation. One of the primary ways happens to be the relationship between men and women. This is lived out most evidently in the relationship between a husband and wife, but also is reflected in the church.

However, in light of the need and God’s command, no Christian woman should ever feel as though she lacks an opportunity for ministry in the church or in the world. Also, as Kathy mentioned, there are times when men aren’t around to lead. In those situations women should humbly fill the gap until such men are raised up. But God’s heart is to see both men and women functioning in their God-given roles to demonstrate the beauty of His plan to a confused and sinful world.

If you’re interested in reading more, please check out the resources at the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood site.

The desire with which believing women are compelled to share the gospel and truth with other believers and unbelievers has to come from somewhere. Either it is from God or from the devil. Because it would be obedience if the desire was carried out by God’s commandments or temptation and sin if the desire was carried out against God and His Word. Does the devil want the truth and the gospel to be proclaimed? Surely this would be a kingdom divided against itself ( Matt 12:25Matthew 12:25
[25]Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every
kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city
or house divided against itself will stand. (ESV)

). Jesus commanded all believers to go and make disciples of all nations ( Matt 28:19-20Matthew 28:19-20
[19]Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, [20]teaching them to observe all that I
have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to
the end of the age." (ESV)

).

When eve was created God did not ordain man to rule over her. Rather they were to rule together over the earth ( Gen 1:28Genesis 1:28
[28]And God blessed them. And God said to them, "Be
fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and
have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds
of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on
the earth." (ESV)

). They were both in a right standing relationship with God. The bible says when sin entered the world women were put in a fallen bondage (that men would rule over her ( Gen 3:16Genesis 3:16
[16]To the woman he said,
"I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;
in pain you shall bring forth children.
Your desire shall be for your husband,
and he shall rule over you."

)) because of eve’s decision to sin. Jesus came to put every one who would accept Him back in right standing with God and deliver believers from all curse and bondage that was ever put upon us. We get this freedom not because we die, but because He died and rose again. There is no 1st and 2nd class believers and there will not be in heaven ( Gal 3:28Galatians 3:28
[28]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. (ESV)

).

Why did Jesus first appear to women after His resurrection ( John 20John 20
[20:1]Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene
came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw
that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. [2]So she
ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one
whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the
Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have
laid him." [3]So Peter went out with the other disciple,
and they were going toward the tomb. [4]Both of them were
running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and
reached the tomb first. [5]And stooping to look in, he saw
the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. [6]Then
Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He
saw the linen cloths lying there, [7]and the face cloth,
which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen
cloths but folded up in a place by itself. [8]Then the
other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went
in, and he saw and believed; [9]for as yet they did not
understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
[10]Then the disciples went back to their homes.
[11]But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she
wept she stooped to look into the tomb. [12]And she saw two
angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain,
one at the head and one at the feet. [13]They said to her,
"Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have
taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid
him." [14]Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus
standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. [15]Jesus
said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you
seeking?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to
him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you
have laid him, and I will take him away." [16]Jesus said to
her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Aramaic,
"Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). [17]Jesus said to her,
"Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the
Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am
ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your
God.'" [18]Mary Magdalene went and announced to the
disciples, "I have seen the Lord"--and that he had said
these things to her.
[19]On the evening of that day, the first day of the
week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for
fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said
to them, "Peace be with you." [20]When he had said this, he
showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were
glad when they saw the Lord. [21]Jesus said to them again,
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am
sending you." [22]And when he had said this, he breathed on
them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. [23]If you
forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you
withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."
[24]Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was
not with them when Jesus came. [25]So the other disciples
told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them,
"Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place
my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand
into his side, I will never believe."
[26]Eight days later, his disciples were inside again,
and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked,
Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with
you." [27]Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here,
and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my
side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." [28]Thomas answered
him, "My Lord and my God!" [29]Jesus said to him, "Have you
believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who
have not seen and yet have believed."
[30]Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of
the disciples, which are not written in this book; [31]but
these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have
life in his name. (ESV)

, Matt 28Matthew 28
[28:1]Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the
first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
went to see the tomb. [2]And behold, there was a great
earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven
and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3]His
appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as
snow. [4]And for fear of him the guards trembled and became
like dead men. [5]But the angel said to the women, "Do not
be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was
crucified. [6]He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.
Come, see the place where he lay. [7]Then go quickly and
tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and
behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will
see him. See, I have told you." [8]So they departed quickly
from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his
disciples. [9]And behold, Jesus met them and said,
"Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and
worshiped him. [10]Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be
afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there
they will see me."
[11]While they were going, behold, some of the guard
went into the city and told the chief priests all that had
taken place. [12]And when they had assembled with the
elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of
money to the soldiers [13]and said, "Tell people, 'His
disciples came by night and stole him away while we were
asleep.' [14]And if this comes to the governor's ears, we
will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." [15]So they
took the money and did as they were directed. And this
story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
[16]Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the
mountain to which Jesus had directed them. [17]And when
they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. [18]And
Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and
on earth has been given to me. [19]Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20]teaching
them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold,
I am with you always, to the end of the age." (ESV)

)? Was she not the first one that “preached with authority” the glorious truth of the risen Lord; that she had seen Jesus and even went on by Jesus’ instructions to tell men this? “Go instead to my brothers and tell them” This topic cannot be taken lightly or shoved under the rug of tradition. We are talking about a persons (and approximately half of all believers) calling on their life. Luke 10:2Luke 10:2
[2]And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but
the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord
of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (ESV)

“He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

After struggling through this issue myself, I feel comfortable with a woman leading and teaching - if and only if those roles are her God-given gifts. Gifting is easily recognized.

After going to African last year and seeing African churches up front and personal - and the defection of men from the church - I understand even more on this issue. Women have had to take on the task of leadership because men typically aren’t up to the task in many third world situations. And God has blessed these churches abundantly. This taught me that perhaps we see our own personal issues here in America with clouded lenses.

So - what is the answer? I don’t want to be the one to answer it. This has to be a heavy hearted search for each individual, on their knees before God, seeking with all humility the answer. But the conversation needs to continue - so that God can be glorified - through all his people - so we do not become guilty of putting limits on his love and mercy.

Just my few humble thoughts…..
Kathy

I really appreciate you pointing us to the scriptures.

I wonder, however, if Psalm 68:11Psalm 68:11
[11]The Lord gives the word;
the women who announce the news are a great host:

is describing what we would recognize as worship leading. Verse 12 finishes the sentence with “The kings of the armies—they flee, they flee!” It then proceeds to describe these same women dividing the spoils of war. Could you clarify how you see this as example of women leading worship?

You wrote . . . He has a purpose for women to glorify Him. Amen! God does desire for women to glorify Him. To be clear, however, “The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.” (WSC)

We should use this same basis to discern the anointing of other ministries (as well our own!) as well.

Interesting thoughts. I am wondering why people even think that the Bible needs to specifically address women doing God’s work thus if the Bible is silent on a woman leading in prayer or leading in worship, then we assume that God doesn’t allow women to participate? How come God allows women along with men to prophesy in the church but then wouldn’t allow them to lead in singing? ( 1 Cor. 141 Corinthians 14
[14:1]Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual
gifts, especially that you may prophesy. [2]For one who
speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one
understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
[3]On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to
people for their upbuilding and encouragement and
consolation. [4]The one who speaks in a tongue builds up
himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
[5]Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to
prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one
who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that
the church may be built up.
[6]Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues,
how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation
or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? [7]If even lifeless
instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give
distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? [8]And
if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready
for battle? [9]So with yourselves, if with your tongue you
utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know
what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.
[10]There are doubtless many different languages in the
world, and none is without meaning, [11]but if I do not
know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to
the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. [12]So with
yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the
Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
[13]Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray
for the power to interpret. [14]For if I pray in a tongue,
my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. [15]What am I to
do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my
mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will
sing with my mind also. [16]Otherwise, if you give thanks
with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an
outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not
know what you are saying? [17]For you may be giving thanks
well enough, but the other person is not being built up.
[18]I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of
you. [19]Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five
words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten
thousand words in a tongue.
[20]Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be
infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. [21]In the
Law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the
lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even
then they will not listen to me, says the Lord." [22]Thus
tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers,
while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for
believers. [23]If, therefore, the whole church comes
together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or
unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of
your minds? [24]But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or
outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to
account by all, [25]the secrets of his heart are disclosed,
and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and
declare that God is really among you.
[26]What then, brothers? When you come together, each
one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an
interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
[27]If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at
most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.
[28]But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them
keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.
[29]Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others
weigh what is said. [30]If a revelation is made to another
sitting there, let the first be silent. [31]For you can all
prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be
encouraged, [32]and the spirits of prophets are subject to
prophets. [33]For God is not a God of confusion but of
peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, [34]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. [35]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.
[36]Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are
you the only ones it has reached? [37]If anyone thinks that
he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that
the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
[38]If anyone does not recognize this, he is not
recognized. [39]So, my brothers, earnestly desire to
prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. [40]But
all things should be done decently and in order. (ESV)

Paul says that everyone is allowed to prophesy) I also wonder if any of you have read any of the excellent books on the subject of women in the church from the egalitarian side? It is always helpful to understand both biblical views before one restricts women in the use of their God-given gifts.

Blessings!
Cheryl

Christ’s richest blessings to you!

-JD