The Role of Women in Church Leadership and the Pastorate - Part 4

There is a distinction evident in Paul's writing between a principle and a rule.

A principle is something timeless and absolut. For example, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

A rule is the application of a principle in a specific time and place. For example, an application of Galatians 3:28 might be, "as in all the congregations of the saints, women should reamin silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak." (1 Corinthians 14:33-34)

Making the matter more difficult; depending on the specific context, the rule may seem to override the premise of the principle - usually because another principle comes into play. For example, the principle is found in Galatians 3:28, the rule is applied in 1 Corinthians 14. How can the rule run counter to the intent of the principle? Because another principle is relevant here and takes precedence. In this case, that principle seems to be Paul's concerns in Corinth and elsewhere that worship is orderly and not "off-putting" to those outside the community. Paul was concerned that "outsiders" may see people speaking in tongues or women exercising authority in ways that would be difficult for them to understand. 1 Corinthians 14:23 expresses that principle this way - "So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?"

The overall concern in both instances is orderly worship. The real question is how to apply the two principles to this particular situation.

There are other similar examples of this in the New Testament.

Concerning slavery: The relevant principle is from Galatians 3:28 ("There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."). However in Philemon, Paul sends Onesimus back to his master to serve as his slave. Clearly Paul believes that our standing before Christ should result in a freedom and equality that makes the Christian community unlike anything seen in 1st century Roman culture. The life of the church should look different. But Paul still sends one Christian brother (Onesimus) back to serve as the slave of another Christian brother (Philemon).

Concerning Gentiles: Jesus himself said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). In Acts 10, Peter has a vision from God wherein he receives explicit instructions to begin preaching the Gospel to Gentiles. Acts 10:15 says, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." The principle (Galatians 3:28, John 3:16) gets applied in two very different sets of circumstances in two different ways. Jesus intentionally limits his ministry (with a few notable exceptions) to the people of Israel. Only later is salvation offered to the Gentiles.

Concerning Circumcision: The relevant principle is again Galatians 3:28; specifically "Their is neither Jew nor Greek." One of the biggest challenges faced by Paul in his ministry was the controversy over circumcision. Many judaizers in the church insisted that a Gentile must be circumcised in order to follow Christ. This was something that Paul adamantly opposed as an unnecessary burden on Gentile Christians. However, in Acts 16:3 Paul has Timothy circumcised in order to appease the Jews living in Derbe and Lystra. Paul's principle from Galatians was set aside in order for Timothy's ministry to continue unhindered.

Where the church has often wandered astray is when she has elevated a rule to the status of a principle. Very often the result is a legalism that in its extreme expression results in a "new Pharisee-ism" that stifles the grace of the Gospel.

The Role of Women in Church Leadership and the Pastorate, Part 3

Here are some Scriptural passages that speak about the basic equality of life in the church.

• Galatians 3:26-29 – “You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 – “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
• 1 Corinthians 12:27 – “You are all part of one body, and equal parts thereof.”
• Colossians 3:11 – “Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

Some have argued that Galatians 3:26-29 is specifically talking about our equality before God - specifically regarding our salvation. The point being that all of us stand before God as equals. The phrase that Paul uses in Galatians 3 ("in Christ") occurs about 80+ times in the New Testament. In many of those instances it occurs in a context similar to Galatians - but in at least a third of those occurances Paul is obviously talking about our life in Christ as we live it out in the Christian community. Most notably -

• Romans 12:5 - "So in Christ, we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
• 1 Corinthians 4:17 - "For this reason I have sent you Timothy, my son, whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus ..."
• Colossians 1:28 - "We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ."
• 2 Timothy 3:12 - "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
• 1 Peter 3:16 - "Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

While Paul uses the phrase "in Christ" to talk about our equal standing before God as saved and redeemed people; Paul also uses the phrase to talk about our life as a community, our desire to grow, our godly life and good behavior.

As we live, serve and grow in the community of believers that we call the church; "in Christ there is no Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for [we] are all one in Christ Jesus."

The Role of Women in Church Leadership and the Pastorate - Part 2

1 Timothy 2:11-15 –
This is a similar situation with Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and can be seen as a “parallel passage.” The same commentary applies in re: to the social setting. Timothy is written to the church in the city of Ephesus.

Note Paul’s language; it falls somewhat short of a prohibition: “I do not permit a woman to teach …”

• This is Paul’s personal adjuration (his opinion and preference, but not his command). He doesn’t say “Do not permit a woman to teach.”
• Similar in some respects to Paul’s thoughts on marriage. See 1 Corinthians 7:26-31.
  Here Paul says, “Do not look for a wife.”
  

Also, see 2 Timothy 3:6-7 – “They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.”

• At least some of the women of the Ephesian church were struggling with spiritual maturity and understanding of spiritual matters – for whatever reason.
• This would have deeply affected their fitness to learn, not to mention teach.
• “Be careful applying 1 Timothy 2:12 in churches that do not have problems of this kind.” - from the NIV Application Commentary.
• It’s appropriate to ask whether the low level of women’s education and especially of religious education affects not only the command to keep silent, but also the prohibition from pastoral ministry.

The Role of Women in Church Leadership and the Pastorate - Part 1

As our church prepares to welcome our new pastor, we have found that there are many with questions about women's roles as leaders and pastors in the church. In an effort to discuss this and keep the discussion "out in the open" and healthy - I've tried to put together some thoughts that relate in some way to the conversation.



I'll be posting this in parts, inviting comments each time.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 –

The Message translates the passage this way: "Wives must not disrupt worship, talking when they should be listening, asking questions that could more appropriately be asked of their husbands at home. God's Book of the law guides our manners and customs here. Wives have no license to use the time of worship for unwarranted speaking."

Women were enjoying a new found freedom in the community of Christ that culture did not afford them.

• They could not own property.


• They could not divorce their husbands.


• They were not given an education.

One reason the church was attractive to women was the relative elevation of their status that the Christian church provided.

Because they didn’t have the education the men had – worship was a difficult time for women, especially during the teaching of the Word.

• They had a lot of questions.


• They had so many questions that it was creating disorder in the worship time.


• So, Paul in Corinthians says, “They are not allowed to speak. IF they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”


• Disgraceful b/c it undermined and subverted her husband’s place.

From 1 Corinthians 11:5 – “Every women who prays or prophesies …” {Here Paul is obviously expecting that women will not be silent in worship – with Paul’s blessing and instruction.}

In summary, Paul seems to be establishing rules of conduct that would govern the worship life of the early Church community - not making a general statement applicable to the church of Jesus Christ in all times and places.

New Pastor's Announcement (originally posted 3/9)

{This an edited version of our congregational announcement of the appointment of our new pastor.}

Dear family of Christ,

As you know, Pastor John has told us of his new appointment and his calling to pastor the First Saints Covenant Community in Leonardtown, MD. As a result, theStaff Parish Relations team is engaged in the process of working with the conference to get a new pastor appointed for our congregation.

As a United Methodist Church we are part of an appointment system. Our congregation's SPRC team has met with the district superintendent to outline our congregation's needs and the needed skills in a pastor. Several of you gave us input into preparing our congregational profile document to help guide this process. First we shared our Vision, our Mission and our Goals for improvement. Then we described our congregational needs as: Outreach & evangelism, learning to reach out more effectively to ourcommunity- Spiritual Growth, learning to be more like Christ- Discipleship, helping more of our attendees become active servants and disciplesWe highlighted the new financial responsibility of this sanctuary and the small number of paid staff. We asked for a pastor with leadership skills to manage a group of enthusiastic lay leaders and to help us to reach our Mission and Vision. We asked for a pastor who was born again and who would preach the Word of God as Truth, one who would challenge us and step on our toes when we needed it. And we asked for a pastor who could teach us how to better reach out to the lost and the seeking people in our community and the surrounding area.

And so it is my joy to share with you today that Bishop John R. Schol has appointed Rev. Melissa Rudolph as the new pastor of our congregation. Pastor Melissa will begin her new responsibilities on July 1. We met with Pastor Melissa this week to get to know her better and to ask our questions. Rev. Rudolph is passionate about preaching, spiritual development, and visioning for the future of the Church.

Appointment Letter (originally posted 2/24)

This morning during worship I announced that I have accepted a new appointment to First Saints Covenant Community in Leonardtown, MD beginning July 1st. Reaching to this decision has not been easy. As recently as last Sunday, I had not entertained the idea of leaving Christ Church. This past week has been a time of intense prayer and discernment as Carol and I have tried to sense God’s leading in all of this. Although my seven years at Christ Church have been a blessing to me and to my family, I feel God leading me to join First Saints in their ministry.

We will all have differing reactions to this change, but I believe that God is moving through it to further the spread of the Kingdom – both at First Saints and here at Christ Church. I pray that you will come to see God’s hand at work as well. Transitions and change are both a part of life, but they are far from easy. While I am excited about where God is leading me, I am also deeply saddened to leave a church family that has come to mean so much to me. I’m finding it difficult to express the depth of my love and appreciation for you. I thank my God daily for you.

This church community is a very special and Spirit-led place; it is unique in so many ways. I have no doubt that the ministry and mission of Christ Church will continue well into the future. God has gifted and blessed this church with all that it needs as it looks toward its future.

Over the next few weeks, the Staff Parish Relations Committee will be working closely with our District Superintendent, Terri Rae Chattin. They will be working together to determine the most pressing and missional needs of our congregation. This information will be crucial to the work of the Bishop and Cabinet as they discern who will be the next pastor of Christ Church. Please be in prayer for them as they complete this work.

In the days and weeks ahead, there may be many questions or concerns that come to your mind. The SPRC and I will do all that we can to answer questions and hear your concerns. In the meantime, let’s continue to focus ourselves first and foremost on our mission and calling: Loving God, Loving Others, and Making Disciples.

Godspeed,


Pastor John