Women Pastors and Evangelists
Since early history we have lived wih a patriarchial society. This page is in keeping with the previous page regarding famous women of the Bible, so before becoming upset, read about these women of God.
Paul spoke of women being silent in the churches, and Peter also in essence said the same, so therefore it has been the established rule of many churches since.
Can you imagine the uproar that would have been created in the male dominated world if women who were basically servants of men, had suddenly been the head of church or leader of men? All christians were trying to establish the early church without being put to death, although many knew they would be killed. That portion of the world had always been male dominated, probably for multi-reasons. I will list a few.
A. God told man and woman, as well as other living creatures to multiply upon the earth. God just may have chosen the woman to bear the children because she was more sensitive and very possibly the strongest when it came to stress. Today many branches of science agree, therefore it may always have been so. Life was extremely hard in those days and it took tenderness, wisdom and strength to raise a child, just as it does today. If the woman had been worrying about the church, how could she have done all the many duties expected of her. If God created the earth and all things in it and he saw it was good (and He does not make mistakes) then woman was designed to be what she was and is.
B. There were women prophets, teachers, preachers in those days. Read the previous story of famous women of the Bible. Haven't you ever wondered why Christ never taught women could not be leaders? Have you ever wondered why no man except Christ was perfect, yet man established rules that Christ did not teach? Christ said that even the laws were fulfilled in his coming, yet man wishes to set rules he claims is God's law. Are these remnants a tendency of the male to rule, to conquer, to dominate. Look at history and you can't help but notice this tendency that extends to the male animal that must also rule the pack; i.e. the wolf, lion, etc. We know of many who believe they must have power and rules for women and girls. Why have women allowed this? Did they truly believe they were unworthy to be treated equal? My research of the Bible teaches that God loves all who love Him, regardless of race or denomination or belief. Therefore God loves the Muslims, Buddhists, etc. with equality. Obviously we can't all be right, so all will be judged for their actions and their heart. Read the chapter on the Beatitudes at the end of this site. So always remember, God loves all who love Him and most of us will have a lot to learn at the end of this life, so be kind to one another. While you're thinking about it, why did God treat Sarah's son, Isaac, with blessings to continue through centuries, yet shun Ishmael? Was it not because Abraham took a mistress that Sarah allowed him to have to conceive a child since she was barren? According to scripture God had not sanctioned this.
C. Was Peter perfect and his decisions wise? Peter was the one Christ chose to be the foundation of His church, but certainly Christ knew Peter would sleep while HE grieved in the Garden Of Gethsemane and he would deny knowing Christ when the soldiers came to crucify his Lord. Then it is obvious Christ was aware His church would not be perfect, but Peter would sacrifice and give his all in repentance to establish His Church, but not with perfection! Paul was persecuting the Christians and many were put to death, yet Paul repented and became a great leader and a mighty force for Christ. But surely you don't accept his gospel as perfection. Christ never said any one's teaching would be perfect. Where in the old testament did God condemn or forbid women prophets or teachers? If God blessed a woman with a gift, it was accepted. Only man has changed this.
D. Where did Peter or Paul say this recommendation of women being silent in the churches was by commandment of God or Christ? Then it was their direction and tradition of the land. It is easy to see why there would not have been lady apostles traveling with the twelve. Imagine the rumors and problems associated with male and female disciples following Christ and sleeping in the same proximity. The people of the villages/cities would never accept this as being of God. Women would also find it difficult to drag the children along. Customs were kept similar to the standards that were of old, so I don't think Christ would have reached the masses if He had been breaking all traditions, plus teaching that men and women could travel and sleep together in purity. Could we do that today? Why does man in that same region today try to silence the women and girls and to refuse them an education? Could it be that they are really weak and afraid? Are men this weak and insecure? These same men often beat their wives. Right!!!!! This is another act of the male species and domination. Even in America you find men in the work place, the military, in the home, who feel the man must rule often with the fist. Do you see many men who try to beat or pick on men much larger than themselves? Of course not! They are cowards and know they would be whipped senseless, yet they repeatedly do this to their women. Men of God? I think not!!!!! No, God never taught this type of behavior, man invented it. Remember the bully when you were in school? Thats what these men are; bullies and not to be admired by anyone. This goes as well for the female who has become aggressive and domineering. This type of woman feels she has the right (usually if she is larger than her husband) or in the workplace where she has power. The same mentality is displayed; lust for control! She is not to be admired just as the male is not. We must help women of the third world to stand up for thmselves and maybe through generations the men can be educated. If not women will become warlike to survive; what type of world would that be, women who had forgotten how to be a mother, a tender wife. What type of evolving brain do we have? It appears we are not growing in constructive behavior in many areas.
E. Bible prophecy states that in the latter days, women and men alike will be prophets, will see visions (also a form of prophecy). If this is so, then why do the church leaders state : "we are living in the last days, etc.", but still say, "oh no, we can't let women lead in our churches." This again is a state of allowing the patriarchial society to continue, while God and His word take second place. If one says, how do we know God wishes this, then why don't we ask why God's prohecy is flawless, yet not acceptable if this is latter days.
F. Let's consider the Garden of Eden! Many refer to this event as the cause of the downfall of women. Was it not the evil serpent, which is referred to as 'he' the instigator? Then when Eve succumbed, was it not the male who had been created (Adam), who succumbed? Then actually, Eve was in the middle of two males. This provacative thought is only for those who want to point the finger at Eve.
G. First and foremost; God was male (He is Father), Christ was male (He is Son), and God said all are created equal. Man is the author of most if not all acts of superiority. Statistics show us that male and female are equally unjust, unfair and evil. They just commit different types of crimes as a rule. There are many wonderful men and there are wonderful women, just there are evil persons of both sexes. Did you notice that each term for the female is a version of the male word, such as; Man - wo man, male - fe male, he - s he, he - he r even the word lady comes from lad whose meaning is son? Now who would construct these meanings? Look in history regarding man having permission to spank their wives in the middle ages as long as he didn't injure her - whoa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who did man think he was except a supreme ruler and the one to mete out justice. Some men simply followed because they thought that was expected oif them, while others acting as he goats, battered the gentler males toward aggressive behavior. Where did you ever read that Christ sanctioned this type of behavior?
H. Man wants to forget that it was women who went to work in defense plants during WWll, and furnished the fighting men with supplies and kept things going at home. What would the military have done without them? When our men came home, some men reared up and said women go back to being barefoot and pregnant. Did God say this; I think not! Men said women get out of the work force and let us be head of household and earn a living, yet many men ran out and left their children to be totally dependent on their mothers. Whoa! I should have said dependent on mothers until some of the women sat back on their butts and drew welfare. You can't have it both ways. To me it is obvious that both sexes have great faults and weaknesses. I watch as women act upon jealousy and become whining, vicious/malicious cats of other women; shame on you! God created them and they are what they are, so build your own esteem and gain self-worth. Stop the pettiness and dry up! Now men, why do you laugh and make jokes at the gullibility and naivete of women? Because it speaks well of your ability to deceive someone? Does that make you proud of yourself? Shame on you! Are you a man who depends on your wife to work and bring in extra money and yet state " I am the man of the house and I rule?" Think of these things and then consider where you fit in the bigger plan that God had when He made man. Did He not say; "I repent the day I made man? " He did not say woman, but I am sure He was referring to each equally. Also, look at some men who rap their coffee cups for the wife to refill after she has worked all day! Or he expects her to watch the kids when she is exhausted; perhaps draw his bath water or prepare his shower. That sir, is no man, but a user and abuser. Both should be working side by side to raise their family and if the wife works, she should not be expected to be a maid and waitress for her husband. Neither should she expect her man to come home and wait upon her royal highness while she sits on her butt eating chocolates. Equality means together we stand, united with God's help.
I. Women, be the best you can at whatever you want to do and remember, God created all equal! As we watch our women in other lands such as Iran, and their struggle to find equality in a world that has been horridly controlled by men, don't forget that we in America would not be where we are today if not for a few brave women in early America, who dared to bring about reform and the right to vote. This is the same controlled atmoshphere we created for the African Americans. Shame on those forefathers who tried to maintain a controlled dictatorship. Man made slaves, God never ordered that; again an act of "hardness of your hearts."
J. Men lose respect for women who fall prey to their seduction and whines of "my wife doesn't understand me", or the young boy who pledges his undying love to his girlfriend and strongly urges her to "give herself to him." The female must learn to have respect for herself and not give in to these old, old wiles that have lasted through time. Women of the cloth have also been lured in. Does this make the woman guiltless? No, but it has made woman become hardened and developing many traits of the male. Ask any woman who had to go into the work force even 50 - 60 years ago and you will hear story after story of women having to have sex with their boss to keep their job. Men lose respect, but continue to use and abuse. Women keep listening, lose respect for themselves and repeat their mistakes over and over. If I had to find the best possible advice to give to all women it would be; "Don't ever sell yourself, and learn to rely on Him." God will take care of you if you trust Him. We lose our loved ones and see many suffer. This is earth ( where we learn lessons ) not heaven. There is another chapter coming regarding expectation of perfection on earth. Why do you do this? Where would you get the idea that God would allow man/woman to do as they wish on this earth (to murder, steal, abuse, be dishonest) and yet be living in heaven. This is absurd. God created the angels and gave them the beauty of heaven to dwell in and greed set in. I think we must experience a little testing ground to see where our loyalty lies and teach our children there is a better place at the end of their trial period on earth. Men/women in the service don't expect, nor do they get a sergeant helping to make wussy, whimps out of their troops. Then why would you expect God to?
K. How many men who are supposed to be men-of-the-cloth, have molested a child, committed adultery or other form of extreme violation of Gods instructions? You are the epitome of evil; you certainly don't exhibit Christ's teachings, so why are you there; get out! When you are under control of yourself and do no harm to another and live Christ's teaching, then you are capable of teaching, preaching or leading the church. There is no difference in the sin of the man or the woman or the weakness of the sexes, sin is an abomination to God, and that person is not capable of leading His Church in any manner. Sin is an equal opportunity employer and not acceptable to God whether you be male or female, Greek, Jew, Catholic, Protestant, Mormon,or any other sect or denomination. Therefore, women who want to set examples of leadership and capablities of evangelism, pastorship or teaching, be sure you are ready to make the committment, just as you expect the male to be.
L. Major Thoughts.............
When some churches refer to women being silent as quoted by both Peter and Paul, are they also keeping the other traditions and orders such as: "sell all that thou hast and follow me." What about the customs that Christ adhered to such as clothing and the covering of head and shame to shave it, and don't forget fasting and traditional holy days or other temple rites. What about remembering to keep the sabbath holy. We have changed the original day. Then we hear the same application of " oh, thats not important", huh? I could release a biragge of points but the point must be made! Some churches and people make their own rules and change meanings to suit their own desire or use some reference as an order by Christ, then drop or state "it's unimportant" if it is not befitting their own form of religious construction. One thing in particular stands out when speaking of men behaving in an unacceptable manner while claiming to be following and teaching the words of Christ; Jesus said you have already commited adultery when you look upon a woman with lust. Let me tell you what I observe when men are with other men or think they are alone; they gawk, drool and talk. And you are God's representative? The same rule applies to women who get their cat-chats going and running down their husbands. Women are becoming as immoral in thought as men. Is this not the history of the world and it's destruction over and over; yet we never learn! The above example is just that; an example of men and women being equally imperfect. God knows this and was teaching man to get rid of the mote in his own eye before trying to cast the mote out of his brother's or sister's.
M. Ladies, remember; if God has called you to serve as a teacher, pastor or evangelist, He will also make a way. Be of good cheer and let your Lord lead you......
Before you become upset at my belief, please remember it is extremism and fanaticism that has caused terror and harm to many. God is not in that type of action! This is our God given right of living in America, and I hold these privileges dear. No, I am not a minister and this was not the path that The Lord led me to, but many years of being a teacher, counselor and leader in my church has taught me much. I believe many women have been called and they should not falter, but press ever onward.
Why can't you as a minister or teacher accept the fact that no one is personally favored and perfect in God's site, neither are they capable of understanding nor interpreting His word with perfection, so quit making excuses. I certainly don't make claims, I am endeavoring to bring pertinent points to bear and for all to consider. Women go forth without fear and be the best you can of Christian leaders.
May God bless and be with all!
