Are you okay with a woman preaching God's word?

 

One of my favorite people of all time was a female preacher. She was one of the most spiritual women that I've ever known. She would always preach revival every year at the Nazarene church I attended in the early '90's. I received a number of spiritual truths while listening her preach God's Word. I always felt the Lord's presence when she spoke and I've seen her kneeled in prayer for an hour or more before she took the pulpit, seeking God's wisdom and guidance. I remember a couple of times when she said that she changed her sermon right before the service because the Lord had laid something else on her heart that needed to be heard that night.

 

I knew this woman. She has since went to be with the Lord.There is no doubt that this dear lady of God listened to God's commands. She sought him daily and He spoke to her.I've been witness to it. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it was His will that she preach His Word. So, I know that in this instance, God was okay with a woman preaching. Absolutely no doubt. If God was okay with her preaching(which He obviously was), then I cannot imagine why He wouldn't be okay with it in other cases as well.

 

I think it is always important to consider the Biblical context when analyzing Scripture. Many verses ,taken without this consideration , are perplexing, if not outrageous. I believe that many Godly women have sought the Lord and received His blessing to preach the Word.

 

What do you think? Should women keep quiet in the Church in the presence of men? Or is God okay with women preaching His Truth in church?

Normally, the polls started at 3:35 AM are a lot more morally irrelevant.

 

As a Catholic, I am inclined to say no. I am not sure about my feelings on unordained women preachers, I will have to do some reading on it.

 

I will say that for women to "keep quiet in Church" is one of those situations that is not supposed to be taken literally in the Bible, but I am sure that their is no problem with women living life like Christ and setting an example for others.

As I understand the Scripture and I have had lengthy discussions on this matter, the "teaching" is the key. Women are not supposed to have positions where teaching of men from women are going on.

 

Now I understand that is formal teaching and not the teaching they do with their everyday lifestyle and living by example.

Another touchy subject. Im a preacher now (man) and I was saved under a woman preaching. So it is hard for me to say no because one had the words to say to get to my heart and really impacted my life.

I dont agree with women pastoring though, that is taking way to much athority over man in my view.

This is one subject where I've never been able to form a real solid opinion either way.

Preacher? Well, I believe that any person man/woman who can help foster my personal relationship is ok by me. As far as leading a church,household, etc.. Well, that is another topic.

Paul's writings seem to make it pretty clear that women shouldn't be preachers...but I've heard some preach that seem fine...and I've heard accounts like the one mathemagician gave and it's hard to see why or how that could be a bad thing. But, it's not for me to question the plan God has for things, especially His church. I've always been on the side that says no, because scripture seems to state that and it has to be the final authority for me as a Christian.

What does scripture say about this matter? I've already wrote some feelings about this on another thread.

There is a woman that preaches at an Assembly of God in Sardis. She seems to be alright to me.

funny how religious rules change to fit the times.

and I voted no, call me old school but many of the problems we have in today's culture can be attributed to the women behave and act today. Concidence?

 

I mean Paris Hilton is a role model for many young women.....

and I voted no, call me old school but many of the problems we have in today's culture can be attributed to the women behave and act today. Concidence?

 

I mean Paris Hilton is a role model for many young women.....

 

I voted no, because the Bible seems to state that fairly clearly, and I have yet to find anything in there that makes a strong case otherwise.

 

But, I think your argument goes both ways...there are plenty of poor male role models on par with Paris Hilton...I think both sexes share equally in the problems of today's society.

I voted yes-IMO women have the same privileges and opportunities as men, given the New Testament. Relegating women to second class citizenship was abolished when Jesus died on the cross. In Galatians 3:28, "In Christ now there is neither bond nor free, Scythian nor Barbarian, male nor female, all are one in Christ Jesus."

In the Book of Acts, you'll find that Philips had three daughters who were preachers. The apostle Paul in the Book of Romans, the last chapter, the seventh verse, alludes to two people, Andronicus and Junia. Junia is a woman. Paul then refers to them as "fellow apostles," which in the life of the early church was the highest position attainable in leadership and in preaching. When the NIV was translated, the men changed the name Junia to Junias. They made it into a male name.(Big debate whole new thread)

When the Holy Spirit falls upon the church on the day of Pentecost, Peter says, "This is what was spoken of by the prophet Joel when he said, "The day will come when the Holy Spirit comes upon His people, God's people, and young men and young women shall prophesy." There is a gift of the Holy Spirit that is given to both men and women in the New Testament. Its what makes the New Testament a New Testament rather than the Old Testament, in which women did not have such privileges.

I know that many cite verses about women not being allowed to talk in the church. I believe that certain things happened in the early church. Women who never had any freedom suddenly have the ability to stand up, speak, and be treated as equals within the life of the church. Just like most people who have been limited(imprisoned then set free) there is a strong propensity to abuse that freedom and indeed that happened. These women were abusing their freedom-standing up and lecturing their husbands about what was going on in their homes in front of the whole congregation.

Bottom line for me if I ask a woman preacher why she preaches and she says she had a calling from God--well that does it for me. By the way it is also the same question I ask men who preach.

Yes, my wife preaches to me all the time.

KyGirl, really good post. If someone wants to go to a church with a female Pastor so be it. I don't think God would mind, but I choose to have a Man.

 

What do you think about Paul teachings?