Women preaching | SermonIndex

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Leeza Mar 11, 2012

There is a ministry that has been life changing for me, it has called me out of medocracy that dominates the church, while remaining grounded and faithful to Gods word. I am uncertain of one thing. One of the pastors wives preaches from the main pulpit from time to time.
I am certain she is under authority, but i am uneasy, because i may be misinterpreting the direction of scripture here. Help! I know I would not do this, but is that just a personal conviction or a mandate from scripture.

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PQ Mar 11, 2012

Act 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.
Act 21:9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

sermonindex Mar 11, 2012

we've been under the same conviction as well, and we studied the scriptures, and prayed through the situation, and are no longer following the church as we once used to. it wasn't easy, we looked forward to watching their services; however, taking up our cross wasn't meant to be easy.

if a plane is flying to its' destination and veers off-course by 1 degree, it lands at the wrong destination. we did write to the church asking them to pray through the scriptures that we'd studied re: the same matter and they never responded. we'll still pray for them as the Lord leads though.

bless you, glad to hear we're no the only ones w/this conviction.

sermonindex Mar 11, 2012

"There is a ministry that has been life changing for me, it has called me out of medocracy that dominates the church"

I am not sure if we are talking about the same place (no need to name names) but I have been bothered by the same. Since I do not attend that local assembly and have no influence to speak into the lives of the elders there I just let it be. I do believe there is a little wiggle room on this issue though, but in the situation of the entire church coming together I am not sure that is the right place for a sister to be taking the role of teaching if I read scripture correctly.

Beware of one thing, no matter how much humility you approach this subject with, these types of convictions may get you called a pharisee.

In Christ -jim

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passerby Mar 11, 2012

I too believe that there is a space to wiggle in interpreting 1 Tim 2:11-15 and 1 Cor 14:34-36, but as said not as a preacher, a teacher, or a pastor in such a 'formal' christian assembly, gathering, or services where both men and women are present.

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Leeza Mar 11, 2012

Thanks for all your thoughtful replies. I want to continue following this ministry, I really dont judge it in any negative way at all. It honestly worries me. I will pray that if this an issue before God, that he will convict the elders.
I pray He gives me a deeper understanding of the scripture.

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Lysa Mar 11, 2012

Leeza wrote:
It honestly worries me. I will pray that if this an issue before God, that he will convict the elders.
I pray He gives me a deeper understanding of the scripture

Since this church has provided spiritual food for you to grow on, you really do need to go to the horse's mouth, the pastor and HIS wife, and ask them both how they can have interpreted the scriptures to let a women teach from the pulpit and I can imagine the pastor will open the word up in love for you more, if you will only allow them to.

God bless you,
Lisa

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Leeza Mar 11, 2012

I will do that...I am sure therenisnjust something I don't understand.

sermonindex Mar 11, 2012

Hi Leeza. I hope I can help some with your dilemma and at the same time, not go against what I also feel His Word says plainly enough.

I had to think on your question since you posted it and wanted to say that, from what I remember reading, it was D.W. that had her put into that ministry.
Well, I've prayed since you posted for an answer and while reading another forum - a News forum - someone posted a prophetic word by him from years back - one that isn't in any publications that the ministry has to share and it dawned on me that since I first read his vision back in the 70's, his main message has been, "something economic+, is coming". It was in his books, messages, newletters and so forth.
Well - that got me to thinking this afternoon while talking with a Sis on the phone that - most Pastor's wives are seldom looked to for help - only the Pastor is.
If there were a crisis situation - who among us would run to our Pastor's wife? I know a lot of Pastor's wives and they aren't taken very seriously. Folks look to the Pastors first or deacons if the Pastor's not around.

My 'theory' is - that D.W., seeing since the 70's that trouble on a large scale was coming - wanted this particular Pastor's wife to be seen as someone that can be a "help" when that 'something' happens because he felt she's quailified to work side-by-side 'with' her husband and shouldn't be wasted when the time comes - but be seen as one who is strong enough to handle the needs of the sheep under their care.

So that's my theory - coming from one who won't sit under a women Pastor - but may see why she's where she is and if my theory is true - I see his point.

In Christ's Peace,
your sis.

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learjet Mar 12, 2012

Hi JIG and Leeza,

Women preaching, no worries. Women in authority over men, and I don't care if DW or Polycarp put that person in their position, this is clearly different than the gospel that the apostles preached and the book of Galatians is clear about that:

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! -Galatians 1:8-9

We need to quit elevating people to positions where they can do things that are clearly against what is taught in the New Testament and then excuse it with spiritual sounding nonsense.

Remember that the Lord rejected Saul when he chose to step outside his office and do the sacrifice instead of waiting for Samuel. I'm not saying that this is happening, but it does come to mind in this situation.

sermonindex Mar 12, 2012

Hi Brother Earl.

You said "Women preaching, no worries. Women in authority over men ....."

I agree, as I stated, I won't sit under a woman Pastor. Your view about "women preaching" - I can't quite agree with. A woman being asked to speak in an evening service, such as Elisabeth Elliot would or Corrie Ten Boom, that's different than being the main source in the main service.

What I gave is my theory of why I believe that DW gave her a position before things happen in this country that he wrote about.

I don't know all about how they are doing things there - but is she "in authority over men" or just "preaching"? - as you differentiated those two in your post.

Others here would know more about the services and could answer that. Do they feel she's usurping authority?

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JoshG Mar 12, 2012

There is a good sermon on this site by Derek Prince called "Women in the Church" (part 1 & 2)... It doesn't answer all of the questions but it is a very foundational and balanced. https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/viewcat.php?cid=206&min=40&orderby=titleA&show=20

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jimp Mar 12, 2012

hi, when len ravenhill would minister in my home ,he would go on and on until martha would say ...okay k=len that is enough for now and he would stop immediately and say yes dear martha..in five minutes they would be out the door..every great preacher i have known and know has practiced on his wife and all bowed to her opinion.if you go to an othodox sevice today... the woman and the men are still seated separately and that is why it was important that the women not shout out questions to their husbands.jimp

sermonindex Mar 12, 2012

I am not going to bother to add my 2 cents worth to this conversation because everyone already knows where I stand on it. It's clear to me that women are not called to preach where there are men present. There is nothing to debate where scripture is clear without getting into opinions, which mean nothing.

I would like to comment on something that someone said earlier in this conversation though...

Beware of one thing, no matter how much humility you approach this subject with, these types of convictions may get you called a pharisee.

I will take this one step further... any time a believer stands steadfastly upon the Word of God, other self-professing Christians (who generally take a stand on nothing) will label that person a pharisee.

Happens all the time, especially on forums like this. I'm not saying that to mean, it's just a fact.

Krispy

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Leeza Mar 12, 2012

Been studying Joshua of late, and have been struck by a principle that seems to run through his story. When Moses struck the rock, in my mind, that seemed a small thing, it seemed there was some wiggle room in that one. Yet it was so vital to God that Moses could not enter in.
In the first few chapters of Joshua, we see a man following directives that honestly seem a bit tedious, and devoid of meaning. Now, in hindsight, we view these things in wonder, as they reveal God's glory and faithfulness, and picture his redemption and deliverance through Jesus Christ. They are a witness to the nations.
I view the women's role in the church as another divine revelation. I don't see it as another tedious rule to follow, a legalism to yoke ourselves to, but rather as pictue of His Son, His relationship to His Father and to the church. I would tread lightly on this account. There is nothing that I have to say that is so profound that another could not say it, and would in anyway be worth risking a bruise on the fair image of our Savoir. That alone is what constrains me.
Seems like we as women are put in conflict with our natural disposition on this point. But, strangely, some how we may be honoring His image as much by what we refrain from doing as by what we do.
I say this NOT to say I conclude that this particular ministry is in anyway in error. I have to defer to the elders, that they have prayerfully examined this.
Thank you for helping me examine this topic.

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Leeza Mar 12, 2012

Brother Josh, my husband listened to the Derek Prince video....thank you, it was very helpful.

sermonindex Mar 12, 2012

"I agree, as I stated, I won't sit under a woman Pastor. Your view about "women preaching" - I can't quite agree with. A woman being asked to speak in an evening service, such as Elisabeth Elliot would or Corrie Ten Boom, that's different than being the main source in the main service."

I agree with JIG about sitting under a woman pastor. This is also where, today, a lot of our confusion comes from. We have to try and figure out how to shove the teachings of scripture into an institutional mold. There were no services of course in the early church, and a plurality of elders sitting among the brethren - not dominating the meeting through a false clergy-laity divide.

I am very interested in what this looks like in the early church style meeting rather then in the modern IC.

In Christ Jim

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PQ Mar 12, 2012

Is it right for a woman to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to an unsaved man???

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Leeza Mar 12, 2012

good question! my take on that would be that, yes, there is precedence scripturally for a woman to share the gospel and all scriptural truth, both by word and by example, with both men and women. What is in dispute hear is the early church pattern seems to direct women not to take the role of teacher in the assembly. 1 Timothy 2:12 connects that function of one of authority, and Paul warns us not to do that.
I myself am often admonishing, exhorting my own husband, and at times have done so with other believers, some men. this is more on a person to person basis.
As older women we are compelled to teach the younger women.
The issue seems to come down to the assembly of believers and how we are to conduct ourselves in that setting, in view of the representation of the Sons submission to the Father, and the Brides submission to Christ. it is a small grace He gives us to honor that image.

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ginnyrose Mar 13, 2012

QUOTE:
"I will take this one step further... any time a believer stands steadfastly upon the Word of God, other self-professing Christians (who generally take a stand on nothing) will label that person a pharisee."

And a legalist.

Just thought I would add to your list, Krispy.

Seems to me if people would study the OT law and study the doctrine of the Pharisees they could see what they did was modify OT law to suit their own selves. What the Pharisees taught is a far cry from what the law did.

'Nuff said.