SHOULD WOMEN LEAD IN CHURCH?

Author: James George Osayande ‘Hero’

When this important issue comes up, it is very much necessary to get a full grasp of Biblical truths in relation to God’s will concerning it.

1 Corinthians 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.
1 Corinthians 14:35 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.

If you should read the verses before this, it will be true to agree with me that the Apostle Paul was establishing order in church administration or conduct concerning spiritual things. And like every other place where women are instructed in the scripture there is this similar trend there all share: submissiveness, soberness (quiet thinking), subjection to all authority especially to that of the husbands.

NOTE: This does not forbid females to be teachers, or to serve or lead as delegated. It only draws a line between self delegation and Divine delegation.

The prophetess Deborah in the book of Judges was both a judge and prophetess to the children of Israel in her time. In other words, she was both a physical and a spiritual leader to her people, and God used her mightily as she did her job faithfully.

Also, the Samaritan woman in John 4, who we may refer to as the first female evangelist, was used by God mightily not because of her but because of God’s agenda (salvation of souls).
The Lord Jesus and the Apostles in their time worked with women both in and off the background (Luke 8, Verse 2-3; Acts 18, Verse 2).

Please note: There is no gender in spirit. The Apostle Paul made that clear in Galatians 3, Verse 28.
God is letting us know here in 1st Corinthians 14 the need for women (who have the natural habit of contention and spontaneous expression of idea), to learn to be submissive in God’s house; and also to never try to usurp authority by trying to make her opinion much more significant than her respect for the man. This does not always affect the lady only, but it also goes a long way to hit the faith of those who witness it.

The “go ye” command is not to the men only but to ALL saved (male and female alike).
May God increase our understanding of His words and intentions in Jesus name, Amen.

I hope this just helped clarify that argument… *smiles*