Hi Pastor Dave, yesterday you talked about allowing women in the church to be elders and pastors. I do not think less of woman, I think they're as capable as men, and they have the same right to be authority in every aspect of our lives work, political, etc. Now this impressed me because I was taught that allowing women as pastors or elders was unbiblical. I understood, perhaps wrongly, that allowing women as pastors and elders was sacrificing the Word of God for political correctness' sake. I'm not trying to debate or argue against, but I would like a brief explanation on the subject.
- Perplexed

Pastor Dave's Response
Great question! You DID hear me right. I do believe Biblically that women can hold any office in the church. I do not base this on "political correctness" or any human philosophy. I believe, as I said, that this is Biblical. Let me explain.

When it comes to the role of women in the Church, good churches have differing views. I believe that in the Garden of Eden, when God created male and female, God created them with 100% equality. Both were instructed by God to “rule” and “subdue” the earth (Genesis 1:28).  When God wanted to explain how we could best understand what God is like, He created people as both male and female. This best reflects a God who in some ways acts as a man and who in some ways acts as a woman, but who is neither male nor female but greater than both. Yes, man and woman were equal partners in the Garden. But after sin, the equality fell apart. Ever since that time, God has been on a rescue plan to return us to the equality Adam and Eve enjoyed in the Garden. I believe Scripture teaches that when we begin eternity, that men and women will once again be equal partners in the Kingdom of God.

But in the meantime, churches do not agree on what leadership roles are appropriate at this age and time for women. I believe these differing opinions do not have to damage a church. In reality, there are good people who are deliberate in their attempt to be truly Biblical who land firmly on opposite sides of this issue.

However, I am also 100% committed to the fact that each church must decide what works for them. Therefore, I do not insist that women be Elders or Pastors. Not only do I NOT insist on it, I am the first to argue against it and will not allow it when the leadership of the local church has determined females are restricted from certain areas of leadership. Biblically, I believe in the independence of each church. Individual churches under the leadership of the Elders, know what is best for their ministry.

When God created us, it says in Genesis 1:26-27 that he created a male and female to best reflect the image of a God who in some ways acts as a man and in other ways (such as giving new birth) acts as a woman. Why? Because God is greater than male and female. In other words, to best understand God, you need to look at BOTH males and females; this helps you understand a God who is neither male nor female, but greater than both. Therefore, when "scholars" turn God into a Gender Neutral Deity, having neither male nor female traits, they are tampering with God's Word. It was God, the Holy Spirit, who revealed that God is best understood through both genders.

So...according to Genesis, we started out as co-equals, Adam and Eve. But I realize that some bright boy will quickly point out that Genesis 2:18 says God created Eve to be Adam's "helper". Therefore, they reason, she is to serve him (and by extension, ALL women were created by God to SERVE men. What our bright boy has failed to realize, however, is that the word in Genesis for "helper" was chosen by God as the best description of God, The Holy Spirit (see John 14:15-18). Therefore, again by extension, if you want to say that women exist to serve men, then you have to use the same reasoning to argue that The Holy Spirit exists to serve men, as well. I am not prepared to make that heresy!

Additionally, the office of Elder is a lower office than that of Apostle. Yet we have a female Apostle in Romans 16:7. Meet the Apostle Junia!  For years her name was mistranslated with a masculine ending to avoid having to deal theologically with a female Apostle. If women can be Apostles, a higher office than that of Elder, certainly they can hold the office of Elder, as well.

If you want more detailed information regarding this topic from the person many consider the undisputed greatest living scholar of the New Testament , read Dr. Kenneth E. Bailey's insights at: http://www.theologymatters.com/baileykenneth.cfm Here you will find two PDF documents that will challenge any person committed to Biblical Literacy and the truth of God's Word over culture bias.

Also, the Bishop of Durham, N. T. Wright, has good insights at the following website: http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Women_Service_Church.htm

Read them BEFORE you respond to this posting.

At Union Church of Manila, we had men and women in every area of leadership. Here at Union Church of Guatemala, the Church has decided that only men should be in the Elder leadership. I am comfortable in both settings. I serve effectively in either situation. I recognize that many churches support a male-led Elder Board only. I will never divide a church over this issue. Not only that, because I understand both sides, in Union Church of Guatemala I have been able to keep the church from dividing over the role of women in leadership. I will continue do the same wherever a potential for division arises both here at Union and in any church where I serve.

Read    Psalm 53
Reveal
How to be an Intelligent AtheistWhen contemplating origins of the universe, we have the following three choices:

First…God does not exist (Atheist).Second…God MAY or MAY NOT exist but is DEFINITELY unknowable (Agnostic).Third…God exists and is knowable (Theist).
If you subscribe to the first option (God does not exist), please take the following exam to determine the intelligence your decision:In order to be an Intelligent Atheist…
Directions:

1. Create a 5 inch square box. Assume the box represents all knowledge, things known and things yet to be discovered – ALL KNOWLEDGE!
2. Now, use your writing instrument to shade in that amount of area accurately representing what you personally know of ALL KNOWLEDGE.
3. Please answer the following true or false questions:
• As an atheist I do not believe any “god” exists. T_____  F_____
• I have examined all potential as well as current sources of knowledge and have not discovered any proof of any “god’s” existence. T_____  F_____
• It is impossible for any “god” to exist outside of what I currently
• know, since I have already examined all knowledge. T_____  F_____
• After reviewing my above answers I am more comfortable referring to myself as an agnostic (one who does not know for certain if any “god” exists). T_____  F_____
  
  If, however, you subscribe to the third option (God exists and is knowable), you have to determine which religion’s “God” is the REAL “God”?
  
  Reflect
  Nobody talks so constantly about God as those who insist that there is no God. - Heywood Broun, 
  
  Only fools say in their hearts,
  “There is no God.
  ”They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;
  no one does good!      
          God looks down from heaven
  on the entire human race;
  he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding,one who seeks for God.  
          But no, all have turned away from God;
  all have become corrupt.
  No one does good,
  not even one! (Psalm 53:1-3)
  
  God is not discoverable or demonstrable by purely   scientific means, unfortunately for the scientifically minded. But that really proves nothing. It simply means that the wrong instruments are being used for the job.   - J.B. Phillips in For This Day 
  
  Renew
  Loving God, I know You by faith; I see evidence for You in Creation; I believe in You through experience. May my faith grow as I know You better. In my risen Lord’s name, Amen!