Women as Worship Ministers

1. Women as Worship Ministers A biblical look at the leadership roles of men and women within the Church. By Carly Schneider

2. Preface • Controversial Topic • Discrepancy of Scripture interpretation • Definition of Leaders • Often discussed but never resolved • Not a discussion of men vs. women but a discussion of Jesus’ people and the Body of Christ

3. Defining the Agreed and Assumed: • Bible is the inerrant word of God • Bible is the living word, not a dead text • Bible sets the examples and standards we should live by from Genesis to Revelation

4. Lets look a little deeper...Matthew 26: 6 - 13 6While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, 7a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.  8When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. 9"This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor." 10Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 11The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

5. Was Mary the first Worship leader? • Mary was worshipping Jesus through Surrender • The observers disapproved – working against her • Jesus found her worship Holy and Pleasing • Not about position but … her heart Also found in: Mark 14: 3 – 9; Luke 7: 37- 50; John 12: 1 - 8

6. Luke 24: 10 - 12 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

7. The angel revealed the empty tomb to the women • The men were in disbelief • Peter saw it afterwards

8. 30 A.D. • God anointed these women to be leaders • It was not respected by the Men • Women of 30 A.D. were: • Not Educated • Not Respected • Treated like property

9. 2009 A.D. • Women of 2009 A.D.: • Educated: College, Masters, PhD • Can Vote • Judges in Supreme Court • Serve in Military • CEOs of major companies

10. So…. What? • The “only biblical calling” is to share the Gospel… Matthew 28: 19 – 20 • People should use gifts that God gives them…. Romans 12: 4 – 8

11. Galatians 3: 26 - 29 26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

12. Examples Used to Support Each Argument Acceptable Not Acceptable Eve – She failed Titus 2:5 1 Corinthians 14: 34 - 35 1 Timothy 2: 11 - 14 • Eve- She took initiative • Exodus 15 : 20 - Miriam • 2 Kings 2:14 - Huldah • Judges 4 - Deborah • Esther • Mary – John 12 :3 • 1 Timothy 2: 11 - 15 • Acts 2:14/ Joel 2 • Romans 16: 1 – 4 (Phoebe, Priscilla & Aquila) • Philippians 4 :2 – 3 • Galatians 3: 26 - 29

13. Philippians 4:3 “Yes, and I ask you, loyal yoke fold, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

14. Conclusion • Its not that women leaders are wrong…. But the problem is they aren’t respected, loved and cared for by the body of Christ. • Develop your personal view on the topic of Women in Church leadership. • Consider the opportunity to work with Women: worship, youth, children's and administrative ministers.