1. WOMEN IN THE CHURCH’S MINISTRY
Todd D. Still, Ph.D. Dean and Professor, Baylor’s Truett Seminary
Santa Priscilla Catacombs, Rome

2. A matter of controversy among believers, including Baptists.

3. Children’s Ministry EVANGELISM
A PRESSING QUESTION: What are the appropriate roles for women within the life of the church?
Pastoral Ministry DIACONATE
Children’s Ministry EVANGELISM
Women’s Ministry Missions
Teaching and Preaching
COUNSELING Youth Ministry
College Ministry

4. A RELATED QUESTION: What is the role of a wife in relation to her husband in the family? (And, what about single women?)

5. Two Basic Positions: COMPLEMENTARIANISM
Emphasizes male headship
in family and church

6. Two Basic Positions: EGALITARIANISM
Emphasizes mutuality and equality
in Christ

7. PERTINENT BIBLICAL PASSAGES FOR BOTH POSITIONS
GENESIS 1:26-28
God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

8. GALATIANS 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

9. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:8-12
 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; nor was man created for woman, but woman for man; for this reason a woman should have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. Woman is not independent of man or man of woman in the Lord. For just as woman came from man, so man is born of woman; but all things are from God.

10. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:33b-36
As in all the churches of the holy ones, women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not allowed to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. But if they want to learn anything, they should ask their husbands at home. For it is improper for a woman to speak in the church.  Did the word of God go forth from you? Or has it come to you alone?

11. 1 TIMOTHY 2:8-15
It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. Similarly, women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hairstyles and gold ornaments, or pearls, or expensive clothes, but rather, as befits women who profess reverence for God, with good deeds.  A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. She must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

12. Influential Women in the Bible
MIRIAM

13. DEBORAH THE JUDGE
HULDAH THE PROPHET

14. MARY MOTHER OF JESUS

15. MARY MAGDALENE

16. WOMEN OF LUKE 8:1-3

17. WOMEN IN PAUL’S MISSION
PHOEBE THE
DEACON
JUNIA
THE
APOSTLE
PRISCA
THE
COWORKER

18. WOMEN IN CHURCH HISTORY
TERESA OF AVILA
PERPETUA
JULIAN OF NORWICH
ANNE HUTCHINSON
CATHERINE BOOTH

19. WOMEN IN THE BAPTIST STORY
LOTTIE MOON
ANNIE ARMSTRONG
BETH MOORE & ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ

20. HOW DO WE RESPOND?
Both those who limit and who expand women’s ministry roles have a credible scriptural basis for their view.
We must display respect, charity, and humility toward those who reach the view that differs from our own.

21. Questions for Conversation
1. Share with one another various women who have positively impacted your Christian life.
2. What limitations, if any, are placed upon women who would minister in your congregation?
3. Have your own views on women in ministry changed over time? If so, how and why? If not, why?
4. New Testament scholar Gordon D. Fee has written, “Despite some voices to the contrary, Paul made no distinction between men and women in the use of verbal gifting. Gifting by the Holy Spirit was the only criterion, and the Holy Spirit was obviously gender-blind, since he gifted men and women at will” (Listening to the Spirit in the Text [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000], 72). Respond.