THE BIBLICAL POSITION ON
THE ROLE OF MEN AND WOMEN IN CHURCH MINISTRIES
A. Men and women were both equally created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27).
B. There is no gender distinction in the assignment of spiritual gifts
(I Cor. 12:11-13; Gal. 3:28).
C. God has appointed to men and women different roles and/or tasks in
the church and home.
- In the home, the husband is to be the self-sacrificing head and the
wife is to be the submissive respondent (Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:18-19).
- In the church, both men and women can serve. However certain offices
have been identified as the responsibility of men, i.e. pastors/deacons (I
Tim. 3:1-13).
D. The role of men in church ministries
- Because Scripture has assigned the responsibility for exercising spiritual
authority to men, the local church should encourage men to take the lead
in assuming positions of leader ship in the local church (ITim. 2:8, 11-15,
3:4-5; ICor. 11:3).
- This leadership role should be marked by self sacrificing love, a servant's
heart and a shepherd's attitude of pastoral care (I Pet. 5:1-4; Heb. 13:17).
- Men have the primary responsibility for teaching the Bible or doctrine
in church services or church related meetings (I Cor. 14:33-35; I Tim. 2:11-15,
3:2; Tit. 1:9).
- In some situations, women may minister side by side with men; however
the relationship should be marked by the male taking the initiative and the
female working under authority (Ac. 18:24-28).
E. The specific ministry of women may include the following:
- The teaching of children and other women the Bible and doctrine in
church services or church related meetings, i.e.: in the Sunday School, VBS,
Bible classes at homes or in the church building (Tit. 2:4-5; Prov. 31:26)
- Ministry in church services and church related meetings when men are
present is to be under the authority of the male responsible for the leadership
of such a meeting or service. The primary purpose of this ministry is not
to teach the Bible or doctrine directly to men but may involve singing,
giving a testimony, requesting prayer. (Heb. 13:17; I Cor. 14:40)
- The teaching of men the Bible and doctrine in situations not directly
related to the local church (Ac. 18:24-28).
F. Women are not permitted to teach the Bible and doctrine in church services.
(I Tim. 2:ll-15; I Cor. 14:33-35)
In order to honor the biblical principle of male headship, women should refrain
from assuming a primary role in teaching men the Bible or doctrine in church
related services.
(I Cor. ll:3).
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