THE WORD ON WOMEN IN MINISTRY BY CATRINA HENDERSON
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t’s funny how this ‘age old’ debate is not that old and not really even a debate; not in Scripture anyway. It doesn’t appear in the Hebrew Scriptures. Jesus never spoke on it. None of the prophets, priests or Kings addressed it. But yes, Paul brings it up, sort of. There are two much debated Bible passages that have received a lot of attention, and even these have only been enflamed in recent centuries, due in part to cultural bias in, dare I say, patriarchal societies. It seems that across history (post biblical) we have drawn a very long bow from Paul’s two passages to church cultures that marginalise and disqualify women - something Jesus never did. Even Paul, in several other passages, writes as though women in ministry is normal. The questions most often debated, ‘Are women allowed to be involved in ministry or leadership? Can a woman have authority in a church? If so, how much and over whom? Can women preach or teach in church? If so to whom?’ if we are honest, sound a little reminiscent of an argument amongst the disciples (who is the greatest?) that Jesus 24
answered by referring to servant and a child (Luke 22:24-26). Let’s talk briefly about leadership. The word ‘leader’ did not exist in the English language until the 14th Century so has since been read back into Scripture, and used to refer a wide range of roles, many of which women are found performing in Scripture. There were women judges, rulers, disciples, prophets, apostles, teachers, patrons amongst others. Interestingly, ‘leader’ as a noun, title or position, is not as apparent in Scripture, as is the verb, “to lead,” an activity that denotes serving, guiding, protecting, going before people. ‘Ministry’ in Scripture is also quite different from how many of us view it today. We have narrowed it to refer to a position, a platform, and even preaching. The tussle seems to be over who can have these roles. Maybe this is a good time to recall Jesus referencing a child! Ministry in Scripture is largely about service and rendering services, such the distribution of food, aid or offerings as well as practical ceremonial service in the tabernacle and Temple. Jesus’ best examples what this kind of ministry
