1 Tim 2:12
But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. (KJV)
And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. (NKJV)
I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. (NIV)
I don’t let women take over and tell the men what to do. (THE MESSAGE)
I include four versions of this verse to emphasize a point. There is nothing in any one of them that precludes a woman from leadership in the church. Of course I believe God’s Word does preclude them from being a senior pastor or in pastoral leadership. It is kind of hard for them to be the husband of one wife. But on the other hand nothing in God’s Word says they can’t lead. It just says they can’t usurp or steal the leadership from a man.
If there is man to do the job. Let them man do it! Of course in the old testament case of Deborah and Barak… Barak was timid and an introvert and he lacked basic leadership skills and courage to do the job. Therefore God used Deborah to bring about victory through the courage and leadership she provided. Yet she did not usurp authority over Barak becuase he was not showing any.
I think the same is true in our day and age. Many times lazy Christian men regrettably do not take the leadership in their homes or churches. It gives women a chance to lead. They are not usurping authority they are simply assuming it. They are letting God use them.
Some of the best leaders I know of are women. They are organized and many times very committed in their service and leadership. One of my favorite worship leaders Darlene Zschech is a woman. She did not usurp a man’s authority to become that, God used her to fill a niche at Hillsong Church. When God asked for a servant she volunteered and her ministry has touched thousands.
My hope is that men will stand up and fill the roles of leadership in the church. But I belive balance is needed in the is area. In all reality God does not look on us as male and female – for with Him there is neither male nor female, slave or free man. God is looking for usable vessels. Those surrendered to Him will be used.
On a staff that I once served on their was various women who led entire ministries and they did an excellent job and were used by God in a special way. Also there was many fine young men that led in a way that was pleasing to God. I am not trying to create a battle of the sexes here but I am saying that each gender should just surrender to being used by God. Those that say and practice that women cannot be in ministry leadership are dead wrong according to the Bible. I believe on every ministry team there should be a balance of input and leadership from both men and women.
Women must be careful that they do not roll right over men. Being a man but I hate to admit it but many times women have the jump on us in the areas of innovation and creativity. If we all will approach our various rolls from the standpoint that we are just servants of God then none of us will have a problem with any other ministry colleagues regardless of gender. Because everything we do will be to see God’s Work go forward through the combined energy of men and women working together.
God Bless.
i agree that one of the main reasons women are in charge of men in the church is due to the lack of male leadership…. BUT this is a perpetual cycle:
the men don’t lead so the women do…. the women ARE leading so there’s no need for the men to step up.
i’m a woman in ministry, as a worship leader, women’s ministry leader, and young women’s discipleship leader… have been for nearly ten years. but i’ve always held a positions where i’ve had a man in authority over me. i think there’s the balance… and its ok with me!