THE ROLE OF WOMEN
IN MINISTRY AND LEADERSHIP
IN A LOCAL CHURCH
by Dale Rumble
THE PURPOSE OF GOD: CREATION å ISRAEL å CHURCH å ETERNITY.
(1) Male and female bear the image of God.
(2) They are equal in VALUE, POTENTIAL AND DESTINY.
(3) They are NOT equal in function; equality does not mean interchangeability.
(4) They were called to rule the earth together, not either of them separately.
(5) Sexuality at creation has a spiritual significance; the words male and female is never used of any other created creature.
(1) Man was made from dust; woman was made from man.
(2) God breathed into man; He did not breath into woman.
(3) Woman was made after man; man had a “first born” position denoting headship.
(4) Woman was made for man 1 Cor. 11:8-9. She was a “suitable helper” for him. She completed man for what he was to do. Her primary function was in relationship to man.
(5) Man named all created land animals and birds; he also named woman.
(6) Man was commanded not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil before woman was created.
(7) The relationship of many and woman is to reflect the relationship of God and His people. God and man bear the same image but are not equal; man and woman bear the same image but are different; they are not interchangeable just as God and man are not interchangeable. Man and woman are like God, but unlike each other. Thus, they are both equal, but unequal. This inequality is reflected by God who reveals Himself in male terms: He is our Father, not our mother; He is our King, not our queen.
(1) Woman was deceived,man was not deceived (1 Tim. 2:14).
(2) Man was held responsible (Rm. 5:12, 19). Theologically, he was the first to sin.
(3) “...and he shall rule over you...,” were not words of punishment, they simply expressed God’s order.
(1) His relationship with, and His ministry to women, was UNIQUE in Jewish history. He treated women with respect unknown by the priesthood. He received ministry from women. Women were first to see Him after His resurrection, and were last to see Him at the cross.
(2) He never called women to follow Him, but He allowed them to do so.
(3) He announced NO basic change to the roles of men and women. His attitudes, actions and words are totally consistent with creation.
(4) The 12 and 70 apostles were men; there were only men at His transfiguration, Gethsamene, the last supper and His ascension.
(1) Women played a role in extending the kingdom of God (Acts 16:14; 17:4, 12, 34; Rm. 16:1-15; 1 Cor. 9:5; Philip. 4:3).
(2) Priscilla helped to enlighten Apollos (Acts 18:24-26).
(3) Doctrinal issues and teaching were handled by the apostles (Acts 15).
(1) “...neither male or female....” does not mean that men and women have no physical difference, but that there is no difference to their position in Christ (i.e., “you are all ONE in Christ Jesus”).
(2) All believers are sons of God (Gal. 3:26). All believers are equal heirs in the kingdom (Gal. 3:29).
Headship is essential and necessary until the purpose of God is achieved.
This is the basis of: “...but I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ.”
(1) The Christian family is the nuclear unit of the church, and as such, is to express the mystery that leads to God’s purpose.
(1) HEART/SUBMISSION: “...let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”
(2) RELATIONSHIP: “...let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.”
Marriage is NOT a dictatorship or a democracy. The wife contributes to her husband’s call in God so that they stand as one complete ministry; a helper who completes and complements her husband.
(1) All Spiritual gifts; signs and wonders; preaching and witnessing to the lost.
(2) Teaching (Titus 2:3-5; Prov. 31:10-30): Focus is on the family, through instruction to younger women.
(3) There is no record in the book of Acts of a woman teaching a congregation of believers.
(4) 1 TIM. 2:11-13: The emphasis is on women learning.
THE FAMILY / HOME-HER HUSBAND’S CALLING / MINISTRY-EVANGELISM-BODY MINISTRY-PRAYER / WORSHIP
* TO CORRUPT PROCREATION.
(NEPHILIM, ANAKIN, ZAZUMMIN, RAPHAIM, EMIM)