Side By Side: Gifted both male and female

My thoughts on this are maybe controversial. I even hesitate to right them down in the sense that I don't want to anger anyone but here they are comment as you may. I am a worker in the church I have taught and encouraged and prayed with and for kid's for over 20 years. Do I think these passages negate my freedom to do ministry or that God has not called me? No I do not think so. Do I believe that Men who are serving in Godly strength in ministry are different than woman. Yes I do. I will ALWAYS appreciate a Godly male in ministry. I think this defines more the gifts of the male and female. My husband and I have had the privilege of ministering together. The only way I can put this is that at times I will notice that though I affirm and encourage young people in their gifts and talents when it comes from the male there is strength to give the words wings. It's as if because of my mothers heart those words are expected but coming from the male in affirmation there is such strength. It has more to do with our natural Maleness and Femaleness than it does with anything else. How God innately formed and gifted us as Male and Female. Have I met some terrific Female Ministers and teachers absolutely as well as Male. Have I met some terrible male and female leaders yep won't deny it. But I really do appreciate gifted and Godly male leaders in the church in fact I constantly pray to see more and seek communities in which there are healthy males in leadership. We have been designed perfectly by God male and female. Each with incredible offerings to this world we live in. If you find yourself wrestling with these passages take it to prayer and wrestle it out with the Lord till you find peace with Him. I pray as you read that God's Word will fall fresh on your heart...

Questions will follow

1 Timothy 2 (New International Version)

1 Timothy 2

Instructions on Worship

¹I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. ⁷And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

⁸I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

⁹I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

¹¹A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. ¹²I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. ¹³For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. ¹⁵But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Questions:

Verses 1-7. What theological truths form the basis for confidence in prayer?

For whom, and for what, should we pray? What kind of people ought we be in personal behavior if we wish to be effective in prayer and pleasing to God when we meet to pray? see Psalm 66:18; Is. 59:1-3; Mark 11:25.

Psalm 66:18
¹⁸ If I had cherished sin in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened;

Isaiah 59

Sin, Confession and Redemption ¹ Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save,

       nor his ear too dull to hear. ² But your iniquities have separated
       you from your God;
       your sins have hidden his face from you,
       so that he will not hear. ³ For your hands are stained with blood,
       your fingers with guilt.
       Your lips have spoken lies,

and your tongue mutters wicked things.

Mark 11:25

²⁵And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Verses 9-15. Paul is not deprecating the role of women in the service of Christ (see Rom. 16:1; Phil.4:2-3;)

Romans 16

Personal Greetings ¹I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.

Philippians 4:2-3

Exhortations ²I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, 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.

but he does here forbid women to teach or to have authority over men in the local church. Is it conceivable that today change may be permitted in women's part, or is Paul appealing here to the permanent consequences of the difference made by the Creator between male and female? What is the significance of verses 13 and 14?

Blessings on your journey today,

Kris Munoz

Comments

I think/agree that is absolutely Biblical that God made men and women in HIS image but gave each distinct strengths and differences. Being a woman who has been involved in church and Christian ministry for some time, I can attest to the fact that men and women have both had profound influence in my life. I believe that there are women out there that I have had influence with as well, and maybe some men too. I think that God has infinite wisdom and made each sex to work together and to be able to stand alone when necessary also. Praise God that we ARE different! Thank you for those scriptures today. Nina Landon

Posted by: Nina Landon | December 22, 2009 at 08:26 AM