Approved 2/1/2005
God has gifted all believers, including women, with spiritual gifts with which they can serve Him (Rom. 12, I Cor. 12, Eph. 4). Men and women are equal in their standing before God (Gal. 3:26-29). Both sexes are seen in Scripture as doing many of the same spiritual ministries including praying (1 Sam. 1:10; 1 Tim. 5:5), receiving and delivering the word of God (2 Kings 22:14; Acts 21:9), consecrating themselves fully to God (Num. 6:2; 1 Cor. 7:34), and standing equally with the father before the children (Exod. 20:12; Eph. 6:2). However, God has also set up an order of authority between men and women both in their relationships at home and in the church.
Genesis 2:18 states that women were created to be a helper for man. In addition, Ephesians 5 informs us that the husband-wife relationship is somehow a picture of Christ and the Church, and 1 Corinthians 11 explains that the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church. Biblically, the husband has been given the responsibility to "head" or lead the wife as does Christ "head" or lead the church. In like manner, Paul comments on the role of women in the church in 2 Timothy 2 stating that it is because of the order of creation that man has been given the responsibility by God to lead in the church. Paul makes a similar comment in 1 Corinthians 14 about the women’s role with in the church as being under the authority/leadership of the man. The general tenor of Scripture is that women demonstrate their godliness through their humility demonstrated in chaste and respectful behavior.
Combining these two general principles of both using spiritual gifts and showing a submissive spirit we conclude that women should be free to humbly use their spiritual gifts, including teaching, except when it would put them in the position of teaching or having authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12). When a woman takes on the role that should be that of a man, it brings shame on the man. Such was the case of Deborah and Barak in Judges 4 in which Barak lost the honor that should have been his. It should be pointed out that it was Barak, not Deborah, that was wrong. She only did what he asked. Deborah would have been wrong if Barak did not want her to go and she had insisted on going anyway. If that had been the case, there would been additional shame on Barak for allowing it to happen.
It would be impossible to list out all the possible specific situations. The following are general guidelines. Any subject not listed is not restricted.
*Teaching: Women may teach any subject except Bible / Theology, and they may teach Bible / Theology to other women and children 12 and under. It would be best if Jr & Sr. High boys were taught by a man, but may be taught by a woman if necessary. Men are only to be taught by other men.
*Leadership: Women may lead ministries to women and children. In ministries that include men, she may only lead in a subordinate role, i.e. there is a man that is directly over her.
*Mixed Public speaking: Women may participate in any open forum discussion, meeting or prayer session. She may speak from the platform / pulpit only under the authority and specific direction of the male leader.