Women in Ministry: Part 2 and Q&A

Pastor John K. Jenkins, Sr.

To catch up on Part 1, you can find it here.

As I have pastored and ledon boards and in leadership, I have come to realize that there is a perspective that women bring to the table that, I believe, is needed in the Kingdom of God.

It dawned on me recently that FBCG, as a church, is about to move into a dimension of ministry where we haven’t gone before. We will be ordaining a couple of women as elders in our church, and I know that from that, flourishing and growth will follow.

I firmly believe that the church is strongest when led by both men and women, and here is why.

Though Men and women have different perspectives, they are better as a team, and together they bring a level of unity reflecting a deeper understanding of the heart of God.

One gender is not better than the other. However, let’s be honest, if it weren’t for women, our churches would be raggedy!

The Tension of Leadership in the Home (Ephesians 5:23-24)

While women’s roles in the church are pretty straightforward, I do still receive many questions regarding the leadership between the husband and the wife.

Who is in charge?

Who submits to whom?

Let’stake a lookat Ephesians.

“For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.”

Ephesians 5:23-24, NKJV

 

There is clarity in the scriptures about the authority in the home. And it Is very important that this is how it functions.

Verse 23

 

In verse 23, the husband is declared the head of the wife.

Some of you may be uncomfortable reading this; however, this is the order by which authority is organized on the earth.

Listen, wives, we know you know the answer to the question before it has even been asked! (Yet, another reason why we need women!)

However, my challenge for you is to let your husbandtake the lead. Then as you give space for your husband to answer first or make a decision, you will win him over for the Kingdom.

Besides, nobody likes a know-it-all.

Verse 24

 

God’s word is clear: Women are subject to their husbands – in everything!

Follow his leadership unless he asks you to do something immoral, illegal, or unethical!

Your idea very well may be better, and you might be smarter, but let him take the lead. And should it not align with God’s character or His will for your life, let your husband plunder and fail.

And trust that the God who knows us inside and out will deal with him!

A Word of Caution

Wives, some of you will never win your husband because you are too dominating!

When Adam and Eve ate from that tree, one of the consequencesof that fall was that the wife’s desire would be for the husband.

It means that wives will seek to control their husbands. In fact, many women have run their husbands away from the church. Why? Because they have sought to control their husbands.

I understand that the common church today uses this basis for why thereshouldn’t be female leadership. However, I believe this scripture is to be applied to the marital union, not in church leadership.

God Gifts to Men

“Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.’ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.”

Ephesians 4:8, 11, NKJV

 

The word men in this passage is not referring to the male gender. In fact, the Greek word for men in this verse is anthropos, which means mankind.

God gave gifts to human beings!

With that in mind, we see in Ephesians that women can be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.

I have to be honest; I believe that women can better pastor and shepherd a woman than a man can. We need women shepherds because there are just some things about a woman I will never understand. Help me, Jesus!

Furthermore, I don’t believe the Holy Spirit restricts what He does based on gender.

There have been several women who have played significant roles in my personal life and development. They have nurtured me, pastored me, discipled me, and I am here where I am because of the key roles they have played.

Q & A

Q:How can a woman who carried the Wordand birthed the Word nine months later be looked upon as not being able to deliver the Word?

To understand why you first need to learn some context of the Jewish culture.

For more insight, please read Women in Ministry: Part 1.

Q: Why weren’t women equally important from the beginning if God created them to be a helpmate and maintain the home when the husband wasn’t around?

The truth is,someone has to be the lead. You can’t have two heads.

We learn about God’s character, His creativity, and the wonder of His heart from nature, not to mention, anything that has two heads is not natural. Everything needs to be a reflection ofGod, and on earth, that is, by the authority of one head.In God’s order of things, when it comes to husband and wife, the husband should be the head of the household.

Q: It doesn’t talk about a deaconess in the Bible; why do we have them?

The Bible does use the word deaconess. In fact, it is another form of deacon!

A deaconess is simply a female that steps into the role of servant.

Q: How does a wife give her husband back authority she never asked for?

Some husbands leave the leading to the wife, which is just not biblical. To be the head of the home is a responsibility the husband should not abdicate. Instead, he should provide leadership to his wife, family, and home.

In cases like this, I tell wives, once you pick up the authority from the man, it’s yours. Once you cut the grass, it’s your responsibility to keep it mowed. The only other option is tolet the weeds grow anddon’t cut them. In the same way, let your husband fail and wait for God to wake him up to see the errors of his ways.

Women, I pray that you were encouraged and empowered by this series.

You are loved and seen by a Most High God. He has planted a divine calling in you and will flourish that seed to advance the Kingdom. Keep seeking Him as you pursue the work before you.

We wouldn’t be God’s Church without women. Amen?