I have observed that in quite a number of churches I have attended, at least here in Dar, women are denied either the right or the opportunity to preach or even serve during the Divine services on Sabbath mornings. The situation has raised a number of concerns among members of whom some I have personally interacted with.
The question as to whether or not women should stand on the pulpit, preach or even become ordained is probably as old as the church but more hotly debated in more conservative cultures, whether Asian, European or African. In the church manual, the Adventist church has explicitly stated her stance on the matter. The only factor that stands between anyone (male or female) and the pulpit is commitment - members of the church in regular standing (See Church Manual pages 96 and 98). This, however, may not always be acceptable in societies which strongly view the man as the lead- or superior- figure in the community.
Culture, I believe, plays a very crucial role in determining how we run our homes, businesses and even churches. However, where people from different multiple cultures intermingle or interact, one and only one common culture, acceptable by all groups, ought to rule for the sake of peace and harmony. In the Christian community, the Bible is used as the standard of thought, which makes it impossible for me to write this article without commenting on the teachings of the Holy Scripture.
Paul, in 1 Cor 14:34,35, doesn't sound like the kind of guy who would listen to Joyce Meyer, Mama Rwakatale or Ellen White strike a powerful sermon at church during the Divine service, does he? And many who support the idea of Muting Mary quickly employ this text to aid their views! To use this text against female evangelists, teachers and preachers without exploring the historical, geographical and cultural context in which Paul was writing, is a great disservice. Biblically, the most successful evangelist was the Samaritan woman (Jn 4:1-39). The Good News was first preached by Mary Magdalene, a woman (Jn 20:11-18). If Christ saw it fit to highly honour these women, who are we to stop our sisters today from sharing what the Lord has revealed to them?
Roles between men and women may differ in the church just as they may differ in our homes. As Pr. Ben Mwamba stated, "men are best as General managers and women are best as Operational managers". But as much as this is may be true in many respects, the commission to preach the Gospel knows no tribe, race and gender. Muted Mary must become the missionary who first preached of the resurrection of Jesus to some 11 men (the apostles), who were hiding in the upper room. Muted Mary must become the Missionary at home, in the church and community at large.
YWH bless!
The question as to whether or not women should stand on the pulpit, preach or even become ordained is probably as old as the church but more hotly debated in more conservative cultures, whether Asian, European or African. In the church manual, the Adventist church has explicitly stated her stance on the matter. The only factor that stands between anyone (male or female) and the pulpit is commitment - members of the church in regular standing (See Church Manual pages 96 and 98). This, however, may not always be acceptable in societies which strongly view the man as the lead- or superior- figure in the community.
Culture, I believe, plays a very crucial role in determining how we run our homes, businesses and even churches. However, where people from different multiple cultures intermingle or interact, one and only one common culture, acceptable by all groups, ought to rule for the sake of peace and harmony. In the Christian community, the Bible is used as the standard of thought, which makes it impossible for me to write this article without commenting on the teachings of the Holy Scripture.
Paul, in 1 Cor 14:34,35, doesn't sound like the kind of guy who would listen to Joyce Meyer, Mama Rwakatale or Ellen White strike a powerful sermon at church during the Divine service, does he? And many who support the idea of Muting Mary quickly employ this text to aid their views! To use this text against female evangelists, teachers and preachers without exploring the historical, geographical and cultural context in which Paul was writing, is a great disservice. Biblically, the most successful evangelist was the Samaritan woman (Jn 4:1-39). The Good News was first preached by Mary Magdalene, a woman (Jn 20:11-18). If Christ saw it fit to highly honour these women, who are we to stop our sisters today from sharing what the Lord has revealed to them?
Roles between men and women may differ in the church just as they may differ in our homes. As Pr. Ben Mwamba stated, "men are best as General managers and women are best as Operational managers". But as much as this is may be true in many respects, the commission to preach the Gospel knows no tribe, race and gender. Muted Mary must become the missionary who first preached of the resurrection of Jesus to some 11 men (the apostles), who were hiding in the upper room. Muted Mary must become the Missionary at home, in the church and community at large.
YWH bless!
5 comments:
Hi, I like you thoughts regarding 'muted mary'. I think the problem is that we want to use logic to reason or justify our opinions on things that we want to happen, or that we want to do. when God appointed Arron as high priest mirriam was there and other spiritualy sound women, does that mean that God is sexist, no sir. women in the old testament times could take the nazarite vow which is equal to the concecreation of a high priest but where never allowed to serve as one, reason being that God didn't allow or say so. I think the problem is that we want to confuse ordination with other roles. women can do all the roles that a man can do but will not be allowed to serve as high priests or ordained, there where women at the temple doing a great work for the people but they never served as high preists because God didn't say they should. so women can preach and do other things but can not be ordained.
if you can give me a quote from the bible of a woman high preist, then I will be glad to ordain my sisters who are very spiritual and gifted by God. But i must say there are alot of examples of model christian women who did alot of work for GOD. even nowadays we still have them.
my advice to the sisters is to do what Godhas told them and stop comparing notes as to what is the man doing that I m not doing and why? we may end up questioning God's jugdment.
Lets pray about this matter because i think it is very critical. When God says something through his prophets it may not make sense to us human beings but we should adhere to it as it comes from the most high. The issue of women being ordained is critical as the bible is very clear that such should not happen, but that does not mean us as women should sit and not spread the Gospel. As what Mitchelo said us as women can spread the gospel without being ordained... The question that lies that has not yet been answered is about us preaching during divine service. Is there any verse in the bible instructing that women should not preach?
Dear Philip
I congratulate you for having such blog were we gonna exchange our ideas and thoughts.
However I normally find this topic being some how so difficult to discuss especially when it comes for the issue of equality. How far have you gone to this concept especially when you refer to pastoral activities equality between men and women in serving GOD? eg I do sometimes ask myself on the following issues which I need someone to clarify:
1. Why in both old and new testament women were not counted?
2. Why when Jesus was making the call for the first Disciples women were not among 12?
3. I dont know if women are ordained they can conduct some of services like baptism, wedding services etc
4. Why Gender issues are just emerging /coming in these centuries and not before?
5. When we read in the bible angels are not defined whether the are women or not but most of the time they seem to be men. Why?
Thanks
MOM
hey dr phil,
so what exactly is this blog about? i just want to know what the focus is and then decide if i should add it to the link list on my blog...heard about it from sarah and that is a good point. i'm an Anglican and in our church women clergy have the same rights as men clergy. its sad to know it is not like that everywhere. thanks for enlightening us. Nabukenya Muwonge
Hi Nabu,
The blog will feature mostly discussions on religious, political and cultural issues evolving around our community (Africa-wide). However, from time to time I will post my personal adventures, photos, videos and recordings.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Phil
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