The Church should acknowledge that the New Testament presents women as active participants in ministry and biblical basis for female leadership roles is well-established.
Dedicated to all the womenfolk who heard the call and are preaching the Gospel of the kingdom with devotion and commitment.
1) I’ll begin with a little bit of history and mythology. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was a structure famous for its imposing size and for the works of art that adorned it. Artemis, in Greek religion, is the goddess of wild animals, the hunt, and vegetation, and of chastity and childbirth. Goddess Artemis was identified by the Romans with goddess Diana. The temple was destroyed by invading Goths in AD 262 and was never rebuilt. Little remains of the temple, though there are many fragments, especially of sculptured columns, in the British Museum.
2) The controversial issue of women in church leadership arises mainly from the Apostolic Ruling of 1 Timothy 2:11-13 which says: "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve."
1 Corinthians 14:33-35 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
At first glance, these few verses seem to disqualify women from leadership in the church. But often the first impression may not be the right reading, as in this case. Moreover, this is not consistent with the rest of the scripture and Paul’s own Epistles.
Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
3) Ephesus was famous for the Temple of Diana and Corinth for the Temple of Aphrodite. Both Diana and Aphrodite are pagan fertility goddesses. Prostitution flourished in both Ephesus and Corinth. Hundreds of temple priestesses worked as sacred prostitutes. These temples were more like sacred brothels.
Paul saw the danger from these pagan women. They were disorderly and ill-mannered even in church. Paul had no other option but to adopt "Damage Control" measures to protect the infant church. His instructions were culturally shaped and sensitive. He had no other option but to restrict the role of women in Ephesus.
The Gospel of Jesus is never presented as a suppressing influence in the lives of women, but as a liberating force. We find women playing key roles in the ministry in the New Testament.
4) “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve” (1 Timothy 2:11-13).
The message conveyed in the Galatians 3:28-29 applies to this as well. Paul had no other option but to restrict the role of women in Ephesus to protect the infant church amid flourishing prostitution.
5) The situation being the same at Corinth, Paul gave similar instructions to them. Order must be maintained in the church. When they have gathered to worship, it is not the right place to raise questions and debate. The women can ask their husbands what they don't understand at home.
1 Corinthians 14:33-35 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
6) It is interesting that so many women were followers of Jesus. Jews were not supposed to speak to or touch women in public, not even their own daughters or wives. Many refused to teach women the Law, or to come near a menstruating woman. But Jesus did not bother about all these things.
7) The Great Commission says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19 &20).
Jesus himself has commissioned all of us, whether male or female, to serve him and spread the Gospel. Each one of us needs to discover our role or roles as part of the body of Christ.
In summing up, it is beneficial for the Church to acknowledge that the New Testament presents women as active participants in ministry and leadership roles. The biblical basis for female leadership within the Church is well-established. If we deny capable women the opportunity to fulfill their ministerial gifts, we are guilty of rejecting the very people who Jesus has appointed and given to his church. It is biblical for a woman to be active in Church mission and Church leader. The effectiveness of the Church’s mission is significantly improved when both gifted men and women collaborate, leveraging their complementary skills and abilities. It is essential for men and women to work together in the advancement of the gospel, the edification of the body of Christ, and the empowerment of the people of God to reach those who are lost.
Final words
In today’s world, we see many women who give testimony to the call of God in their lives. God has chosen and seized their lives and they must submit in obedience. God is calling women to leadership in the church today. Let no man-made rules and regulations, culture and traditions, or out-of-context interpretation of the Bible become a stumbling block for women from answering the call from the Most High.
“It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians:4.11 & 12).
Selie Visa
(The writer can be reached at: selievisa@rediffmail.com)