Yet Another Post on Women in the Pulpit

Talk about a debated issue. There are few issues that can stir it up like the issue of "women in the ministry." Over the years I have spent a lot of time researching the topic. I have some personal convictions on the subject, but I am always intrigued, sometimes befuddled or amused, and always interested in what fellow believers, especially theologians, have to say on the topic.

Some denominations or fellowships have recognized and allowed women to be ordained since their inception. Others have debated the issue to a compromise, while others strongly object to the concept. They all use scripture to justify their conclusions, but obviously they can't all be right . . . or wrong.

Obviously God created men and women with the capacity to minister. How, when and where women minister is what the debate is all about. Women ministry very effectively as child care providers in our churches, choir members, ladies bible study leaders etc. But there is a glass ceiling that has been put over their heads in many churches and fellowships. I've never understood the logic, for example, of groups who don't allow women to pastor or preach, while allowing female missionaries to do so in foreign lands. I also think it is somewhat demeaning to suggest that if you can't find a man to do it, then it is OK for a woman to do so. I believe this delegates a woman's ministry to a second class status.

But I also can't escape that the biblical context is very patriarchal. Male and female roles were much more clearly defined when the Text was written. As society and history have evolved, how do we revisit issues that seem so cut and dried in one generation and oh so gray in the next? For example, when was the last time tattoos were declared a sin? (Leviticus 19:28) They are much more mainstream now and there is even a Christian Tattooing website. But we must always be careful when relegating a biblical topic to "culture" or "the times" just because societal norms have become more accommodating.

I suppose this will be an issue for debate in some circles for some time to come. In the meantime, it's fun reading and mind expanding to see how other brothers and sisters are interpreting the Scriptures and trying to find the best way to integrate their findings in ministry.