Should women take the lead in a church or congregation?

29.OCT.10

Editor: What does the Bible really teach on this matter? 1 Timothy 2:11, 12 shows us that women are not to take the lead in the church or congregation.

They ought not to exercise authority over men. 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35 lends support in showing that women are to be in a submissive role. Moreover, 1 Timothy chapter 3 discusses the qualifications for those who lead a congregation. 1 Timothy 3:2 says that the person must be the “husband of one wife”.{{more}} It nowhere says “wife of one husband”. This is further proof that God has assigned the leading role in a congregation to men. Also, 1 Timothy 3:5, speaks of a man who should know how to rule his house in order to “take care of the church of God”. It did not say a woman in this Scripture or anywhere else.

Women, along with men, have the privilege to declare the gospel of the Kingdom to people OUTSIDE the congregation (Matthew 24:14; Acts 1:8) Women, along with men, received the holy spirit at Pentecost and were able to share the gospel to unbelievers outside the church. (Acts 1:14 , 15; Acts 2:4, 17) So the clear Scriptural indication is that women are NOT to take the lead in the church. Please note, I have NOTHING against women. They are precious in God’s eyes. I am simply stating what the Scriptures indicate as to women’s role in the church or congregation.

Pastors, you are free to respond to this article.

With Love,

Leroy Roach