Women in the Pulpit

Women in the pulpit - ask about it to two people - get two different answers. I cant say when - it was a few years back, I was at a church service - moved by the sermon. The sermon was given by a guest speaker - a woman. She was beautiful in all femininity - from her fashionable , shoes, hat, suit, hair, and make up. But what really caught my attention were the words that came from her lips - with such power. It moved me. I don't recall what she spoke about. I just remember that day - I wanted to be like her. I didn't know what such a person was called. Later I found that she was an EVANGELIST. So that's what I wanted to be - at least - at the time. Traveling, and delivering powerful messages.
And then one day I came across a man who had different views about such a woman - that women should not be preachers - period. And he pointed me to some scriptures - and of course, I was confused and devastated. But there were the scriptures before me. What else was there to be said?

Looking at: 1Cor.14:34-35
1Cor.14
[34] Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
[35] And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

I'd say that it's hard to keep any woman silent - any where! But per this scripture - she better at least be quite at church. I know - this does sound sexist. But there is it. And the woman has to ask her husband about something if she does not understand. My observation is - that more women go to church than men - not sure why this is.


Looking at 1 Tim 2:11-15,
1Tim.2
[11] Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
[12] But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
[13] For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
[14] And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
[15] Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

Clear as day, Paul is saying that he will not allow a woman to teach, not to have authority over men, and to be quiet. This sounds a bit old-fashioned for the 21st century - but many people stand by this scripture. Some people feel that women should not be allowed in the pulpit, and should not be allowed to teach men over 12. Where does the age 12 come in to play? - An age supposedly when a boy becomes a man - perhaps taken from the account in the Bible where Jesus was 12, speaking in the temple.

Looking at 1 Tim 3:1-2

1Tim.3
[1] This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
[2] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

It mentions the qualifications of a man who wants to be a deacon. No mention here about a woman wanting to be a deacon. So women aren't supposed to be deacons?

Now, even though I started off providing scriptures that support the notion that women should not be in the pulpit - I by no means agree with that. No - I am not just picking out the scriptures that I like and dont like. I believe that all scripture is inspired by God. But instead of just looking at the scripture, I'm looking at the whole inspiration. I will explain myself shortly.


I recently had another encounter with the same man years ago - that believed women should not be preachers. By this time - though I could not explain myself, and despite the scriptures - I just could not agree. It did not sit well. And him and I had a conversation regarding women preachers and religious teachers- and so I challenged him with a lot of "what-if's". There were no budging his thoughts - and he referred me to the scriptures mentioned above. After our conversation - I did the only thing I could do - search the scriptures for an understanding and pray. Though I can name several accounts with woman that show support that it must be OK for women to preach - there was but one scripture - that had nothing to do with that - that stood out to me in the midst of prayer -

John.14

[6] Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

A while ago - when I read that scripture, I pondered what it meant "I am the way". Suddenly the understand came - it meant that, If Jesus is the way, I need to follow where Jesus is going - spiritually - by following what he does - that he is the example of how to live. And in several other scriptures, Jesus says those words - "follow me".

Remember the slogan, "What Would Jesus Do?" Yep - that's the idea - be like Jesus. So what ever Jesus did - so can I. Some of the things He did:
He was born
He ate meat
He ate fruit
He drank water
He rode an animal
He slept
He was baptized
He fasted
He prayed to the father
He served
He washed feet
He rode in a boat
He preached
He taught
He went to religious festivals
He laid hands on the children
He died
He did not condemn(John 3:17)

The "follow me" - was that only for men? Or women could only follow in certain areas? The later does not make sense - nor would it glorify God. I can do and should do and should live by the examples of Jesus.
Conclusion: So what ever Jesus did, then that's fine for me to do - male or female.

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