WOMEN IN MINISTRY Lk. 8:1-3 Above: Women in Ministry in the Churches of Christ: Facebook

ABBREVIATED HISTORY OF WOMEN MINISTERS IN AMERICA Salvation Army: 1865 Methodist Episcopal Church: 1869 The Church of Christ, Scientist: Founded by Woman – Mary Baker Eddy 1879 The Church of God: 1909 Some Baptist Denominations: 1920’s Methodist Episcopal Church: 1924 Presbyterian: 1956 Evangelical Lutheran Church: 1970 United Methodist Church: First Female Elders: 1980 Community of Christ Church: Adopted Practice 1984 …among many others…

About: “ For women who minister professionally within the Churches of Christ and the Restoration Heritage.” General Info: “There are a growing number of women ministers in the Churches of Christ. This network exists so that these women may know each other, support each other, and join with each other on this unique journey.”

“Undoubtedly what we need is to hear from some of these women who feel called to ministry in Churches of Christ. I’m so thankful that we now have these poignant, insightful words from four young women who’ve come through the Graduate School of Theology at ACU.” – IBID ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY “I’ve written and spoken often about the need for Churches of Christ to recognize, affirm, and use the gifts of women (along with men) in preaching, teaching, praying, etc.” – “Women Called to Ministry in Churches of Christ”, Sept. 23, 2010

ARE THERE WOMEN MINISTERS IN THE BIBLE?

Principle #2: Women Are Not Permitted to Teach Men 1 Timothy 2:12 (NKJV) 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. Based Upon These Two Principles Based Upon These Two Principles Women Could Not Be Ministers to Men. Women Could Not Be Ministers to Men. ARE THERE WOMEN MINISTERS IN THE BIBLE?

Argument #1: Phoebe was a deaconess. Romans 16:1 (NKJV) 1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, ARGUMENTS FOR WOMEN MINISTERS

Argument #1: Phoebe was a deaconess. Qualifications For Deacons: 1 Timothy 3:11 (NKJV) 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. ARGUMENTS FOR WOMEN MINISTERS

Argument #2: Jesus had female disciples. Luke 8:1–3 (NKJV) 1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance. ARGUMENTS FOR WOMEN MINISTERS

Argument #2: Jesus had female disciples. Disciple: “Someone who follows another person or another way of life and who submits himself to the discipline (teaching) of that leader or way…In the Gospels the immediate followers of Jesus, called by his authority from a wide variety of circumstances, not only the 12 but all those who were sympathetic to his teaching and committed to him, are called “disciples.” - Baker encyclopedia of the Bible ARGUMENTS FOR WOMEN MINISTERS

Argument #3: There were women at the crucifixion. Mark 15:39–41 (NKJV) 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” 40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem. ARGUMENTS FOR WOMEN MINISTERS

Argument #4: Women reported finding the empty tomb. Luke 24:9–10 (NKJV) 9 Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. ARGUMENTS FOR WOMEN MINISTERS

Argument #5: Gal. 5:28 teaches there is no difference between a man & a woman. Galatians 3:28 (NKJV) 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ARGUMENTS FOR WOMEN MINISTERS

Be a Dorcas/Tabitha: Minister to Others in Need Acts 9:36, 39 (NKJV) 36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. WOMEN HAVE PLENTY OF MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!

Serve as a Godly Example to Other Women Titus 2:3–5 (NKJV) 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. WOMEN HAVE PLENTY OF MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!

Serve as a Godly Example to Other Women The Virtuous Woman (Prov. 31:10-31) Makes things of wool and flax (clothing – 31:13) Entrepreneurial Mind: “Considers a field and buys it; From herprofits she plants a vineyard.” – 31:16 Entrepreneurial Mind: “Considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.” – 31:16 Benevolent: “She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reachesout her hands to the needy.” - Prov. 31:20 Benevolent: “She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.” - Prov. 31:20 WOMEN HAVE PLENTY OF MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!

Be Hospitable 1 Timothy 5:9–10 (NKJV) 9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. WOMEN HAVE PLENTY OF MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!

Be a Phoebe/Priscilla: Teach Others Romans 16:1–2 (NKJV) 1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. WOMEN HAVE PLENTY OF MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!

Be a Phoebe/Priscilla: Teach Others “Euodia and Syntyche…help these women who labored with me in the gospel…” – Phil. 4:2-3 WOMEN HAVE PLENTY OF MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!

Be a Phoebe/Priscilla: Teach Others Acts 18:24–26 (NKJV) 24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. WOMEN HAVE PLENTY OF MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!

Ways Women Could Assist in Worship Assemblies Prep communion Pass communion (could not publically pray or speak,though) Pass communion (could not publically pray or speak, though) Pass collection plate Format, edit, print & hand out bulletins Greet visitors Clean bldg.; help w/bldg. repairs, maint. “Quiet bags” WOMEN HAVE PLENTY OF MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES!