My Answer: What's the big deal about women in ministry?

Opening paragraph is at the beginning of every "My Answer" blog:

Growing up as the son of a preacher, I was never further than a question to my parents, as well as a variety of other Godly influences, from what I thought I was supposed to believe about any spiritual matter. But as time passed, I studied God's word for myself and was challenged by all of them to do so. On some questions, my personal study only reinforced what I'd heard as a child. On others, I found that I differed somewhat from what I'd been taught along the way and that my understanding of scripture lead me to a few different places. (I'm not going to tell you whether my parents and I disagree on any of these questions. If you want to know that, you've TOTALLY missed the reason for the blog series or the challenge to you behind it!) I read 1 Peter 3:15, which says, "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." I felt that this directive was calling me farther past just my hope of salvation, but about anything for which I felt a conviction within my faith. So I posted a series of questions on Facebook recently, challenging Christians to not debate issues, but to search for the WHY behind their convictions to these answers. I purposefully never posted my answers till now. This blog is not THE answer. It is MY answer according to my personal Bible study. I challenge you to find yours.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I was raised in a very conservative Southern Baptist background. Most of my 24 years as a worship leader on staff at local churches were while serving in very conservative Southern Baptist congregations. One of the basic theological beliefs that is held within that arena is that women should not have a pastoral position of any kind. It is extremely rare that you will ever see a woman with the title of "Pastor" in a Southern Baptist church. And if there is one, that church is normally labeled as being "liberal and may not even believe in the virgin birth either." They (we - when I was an active part of the denomination) believe that scripture teaches this about women and is clear cut in doing so.

This interpretation of scripture has also carried over to women serving as deacons (or deaconess) within the church. Both for staff and deacons, the common reference is to 1 Timothy 3, where scripture says that one of the qualifications of an elder is that they be "the husband of one wife." So the question is raised, how can a woman be a husband? So that means that a woman cannot be a deacon since scripture says that a deacon is a "husband" and only a man can be a "husband."

HOWEVER, there is one major flaw in this view of theology that has changed my viewpoint on this issue. Enter Phoebe. Depending on the translation you choose, Romans 16:1 describes Phoebe as either "servant" or "deacon." Going back to the original Greek, the Greek word used here is not diakonos, the Greek word used for "deacon" later in scripture. However the office of deacon had not yet been created in the church when Phoebe was mentioned. Yet her responsibilities appear to be the same as that filled by deacons later. Plus the word used here is not gender specific (even used to describe Christ at one point). So when combining the whole counsel of God's word, I can't land on the point that a woman cannot be a deacon. Since the exact same scripture is used to argue that a woman cannot be a pastor, if it isn't going to hold water with me for deacon, then it cannot hold water for me in the role of pastor either.

Add to that the changes in lives that have come from Pastors like Joyce Meyer, Bianca Stingl (from the Church at Chapel Hill in Douglasville, GA, where I attended for almost a year), and I just can't say that their callings aren't genuine or scriptural. When we as Christians start throwing our weight around and say that a person's ministry isn't valid because of an interpretation of scripture (nothing really in clear cut black and white), especially when they are doing more for the Kingdom of God than we are, then we are getting ourselves in deep weeds with our Heavenly Father!

Then I've heard those who have said, "Yeah, but scripture says 'husband' and that means that Phoebe had to be something else." Really? These same people that I have heard make such claims will be on people like white on rice if scripture is taken out of context. We need to leave scripture in context as a whole, not think that it contradicts itself, right? That's what I believe. If it doesn't contradict, then this is the only conclusion I can reach and still sleep at night.

There is one more point that needs to be made here. The same churches that say that women can't be elders, deacons, or pastors, are also very quick to put women over children or youth (students) in what any other church would call a "Children's Pastor" or "Student Pastor." The only difference is that the church won't put the word "pastor" in the title. They will call them Children's or Student "Directors." Like changing the word in the title makes them completely compliant with what they say they believe about scripture! I don't think it does! But this question of compliance is never discussed. It's like gluttony. Church people are so quick to point out the sin du jour, but let it be something like gluttony, when the majority of the church is obese, and things like that are never discussed even though "self control" is one of the fruit of the Spirit. Yeah. I've got a problem with all of that.

I'm not saying that at some point somebody may come along and prove me wrong. If they do, I'll change. Until then, this is my conviction based on my understanding and interpretation of scripture.

What's My Name?

I am a student of leadership.  The study of leadership and bettering myself so that I can in turn better others around me is a passion of mine.  One thing that is HAMMERED into your head in almost any basic leadership class is to use a person's name as much as possible.  Why?  Because people feel special when their name is used.  They recognize that to the one calling them by name, they are more than a number, a demographic, or an employee.  Names matter.

Any company that has survived years of building a brand around a name will tell you, names matter.  There is a lot riding on a name.  Reputations, lawsuits, promotions, guilt, and innocence can ride on a name.  One of the first responsibilities ever given to man by God after creation was naming the animals.  God gave Adam and Eve their names.  Your parents probably named most of you!  Names count.  They matter.  People, organizations, countries all respond to a name.

As I look through and read scripture, I see this fact drilled home as I see those whose names were changed after significant events in their lives.  Here's a short non-exhaustive list:
Jacob - Genesis 32:27-28
Paul - Acts 13:9
Abraham - Genesis 17:1-5
Gideon - Judges 6:31-32

Each of these men had something significant happen in their lives and their names were changed as a result.  And their new names reflected the events for which they would be known.

As a leader, when I'm coaching someone else, I've started doing something that I've seen a mentor of mine do with those whom he is helping to develop a God-centered vision for their lives.  I now have people write out their own obituary and their own epitaph.  Macabre?  Maybe a little.  But see, these two things are how those who come behind you who may not have known you or anything about your life will remember you.  They will look you up on the Internet, or they'll pass by your headstone in a graveyard somewhere, and there engraved in marble will be the one phrase summation of what you meant to the world while you were here.

Take a moment.  Try it.  Your obituary can be a little longer - a paragraph maybe.  Your epitaph, what will be written on your headstone, must be much shorter.  How do you want those who follow you to remember you?  What do you want said about your life in one simple phrase?  What difference do you want to have made when you breathe your last?

Gideon was the last name I listed above.  I recently did a study on the few chapters in Judges that record for us the life of Gideon.  There's not much there.  But what is, is powerful!  He was raised in a society that worshipped an idol named Baal.  There was an altar to Baal in Gideon's parents' home where he had grown up.  As a matter of fact, Gideon's first act of obedience to Jehovah God was to go to the home of his father and tear down the altar of Baal!  The verses above pick up right after this event.  We see the people calling for Gideon's life!  Yet the name that he ended up getting was one that meant "let Baal contend for himself."  Basically, "Baal Fighter."

In Revelation 2, we see the letter to the Church in Pergamum.  At the end of this brief letter, click on the reference link that follows and read what is written.  Revelation 2:17

Does this mean that all of us who claim the name of Christ, who have placed our faith and trust in Him as Savior, who devote our lives in the pursuit of holiness have received a "new name" that only we will understand?  I think it just might.

Those of you who know me personally call me, Kevin.  It is how I am known and the name to which I respond.  But I believe with all my heart that there is another name.  I believe it may even be the name referenced in Isaiah 43 (and surrounding chapters) when the scriptures continually remind us that God has "called you by name."  (Isaiah 43:1)  "I have called you by name and you are mine."  It tells of how when we are overcome by waters, we won't drown.  Or when we find ourselves in the fire, we won't be burned up.  We are HIS and He has a name for every one of us!

So if our names represent who we were while here on this earth, what great things we did for the cause of Christ, what do you want your name to be?  When you walk through the gates of heaven and you look your Savior in the face for the very first time, and He says, "Welcome home, _________."  FILL IN THE BLANK!  I'm afraid for so many of us, we may be trying to leave Jesus at a loss for words because we're not doing anything to earn a name greater than "Warmer of Many Seats!"  As a matter of fact, when I'm coaching people in the future, I may add this to the list of assignments.  Write out the name for which you want to be known by your Heavenly Father.

For me?  Messenger of Hope, or Hope Bringer.  That's not a very pretty name in English, but it really is how I want to be remembered!  Whatever my name is that is waiting for me, aside from seeing Jesus, it'll be the best moment of the beginning of my eternity... when I get to hear my name for the first time.  What's your name?

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THANK YOU for stopping by!  Till next time...

Who's the Leader?

The loudest voice, or even the one with the title, isn't always the leader in the room. But look around. The one around whom everyone else is gathered IS!!!

See, leaders are influencers. REAL ones!!! Some SAY they are an influencer, but unless there are those who have been influenced by them, they are disillusioned. John Maxwell says, "Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less."

People are drawn to influencers. They are magnetic in some way. Most of them make you feel better about yourself. They have a way of motivating you to do better, be better, perform better.

People are drawn to them because morale is raised when the influencer walks in the room. There is a sense of "everything is going to be ok now that he/she is here." Situations seem more in control. And when things seem to be spinning out of control, the influencer is the one that others go to for advice.

Now that we have a picture of an influencer, what do teams look to their leaders to provide? Vision? Solutions? Control? Motivation? Instruction? Encouragement? What if the one with the leadership title isn't the influencer? Who do you think the team will turn to for guidance? The "leader," or the influencer?

There's an old proverb that says, "He who thinks he is leading when nobody is following is but taking a long walk!" If the "leader" and the influencer are not the same person, the "leader" falls into the category of this proverb! They are merely fooling themselves. Just as water seeks it's own level, your team will seek the influencer. And if you have the title, but not the influence, you've just lost your job whether or not you admit it. You will need other influencers on your team, but YOU had better be the influencer that your influencers seek. If this is true about you, you are the leader.