What do you see? Ground Rules for discussion! I Corinthians 10:23-24: “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. Purpose of this workshop is to constructively evaluate what roles women have in our congregations. Are women’s spiritual gifts being fully used to God’s glory? What do you see?

WELS Women’s Ministry March 3, 2012

Women’s Spiritual Gifts Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. Romans 12:4-6

Traditional Roles 1.Traditionally in what areas have the women of our congregations been urged to serve? 2.What typically do women do today? 3.Have there been changes? In what areas? 4.Why? 5.How do these areas of involvement compare to or differ from what women do with their talents outside the church?

How have women’s talents been displayed in their activities outside the church (employment, hobbies, volunteer opportunities)?

What are some challenges that arise when we talk about having women serve in gospel ministry? 1.What about the practice we have been following for all these years? 2.Do shifts in cultural mindsets affect how we approach the practice? 3.In a confessional Christian church we seek to determine whether we are respecting and honoring God’s will in these matters by studying his Word and praying for his wisdom.

Getting into the Word Genesis 2:18, 23 The Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” I Corinthians 11:11-12 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. Evaluate what aspect of the relationship of men and women is expressed here. How should that impact how we approach the subject of women’s spiritual gifts?

Romans 12:3-6a: For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. 1.Identify some of the main elements listed in the verses from Romans that help determine how people are to serve the Lord. 2.Discuss the similarities in the workings of the human body and the body of Christ. 3.With what attitude should God’s people approach the subject of their own spiritual gifts within the body of Christ? 4.What percentage of people with spiritual gifts in your congregation are women? 5.How many of the women in your congregation are part of the universal priesthood of all believers to whom God has entrusted gospel ministry? 6.Explain the challenge then when it comes to women and congregational ministry.

I Corinthians 11:3: Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of every woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 1. Who is ultimately the head of our gospel ministry and of the relationship of men and women? Indicate how that impacts this discussion. 2.What part of the Corinthian passage further impacts how we use the spiritual gifts of men and women in gospel ministry? 4.List areas of responsibilities women have traditionally NOT been involved in the church. 5.In what ways could you begin to have the women with appropriate gifts carry out some of these?

Models in the New Testatment Romans 16:12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 16:19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.

I Corinthians 10:23-24: “Everything is permissible”— but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. Read the passage. Apply it to our discussion of using women’s spiritual gifts in our congregations.

I Corinthians 10:31: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. What is one of our main goals? What may could our congregation gain by using women’s gifts in ways determined to be appropriate according to Scripture? What beneficial attitudes will make a difference as congregations approach this difficult subject?

I Corinthians 10:31: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

So what have you learned?

Challenge Is respect for women evident in the way we do things? Do we express appreciation for the impact women have on the stability and mission of the congregation? Do we provide plenty of opportunities for women to be “suitable helpers” in our decision-making process? Do we encourage women to see how they can use spiritual gifts most fully—not only in the congregation, but also in the family and community?

More Challenges Is our organization structure unnecessarily holding women from contributing to the mission of the congregation in a meaningful way? Are there ways that leadership could be restructured to involve women in a way that impacts the gospel ministry? Is this a difficult issue for us? Is further patient study and listening needed on the relationship of men and women?

PRAYER THANK YOU!