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VOW
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“WOMEN’S MINISTRY”
The purpose of this title is to explain the role of women in ministry, as I see it from my personal point of view, which is as follows: We live a distressing historical moment: human beings are divided, more than ever. Principles, morals, behavior, values and traditions are trampled by liberalism and selfishness; human life is worthless to many, regardless of whether that life is yet unborn or very old; relationships are in a bottomless pit; the fast paced technology of the times has chewed up into almost every household core and is sitting there, “mastering” entire families, out of proportion. “A Power Struggle” is going on in every workplace, in every organization, in the government, even in the Church. The unjustifiable and the aberrations are strongly fought for and coerced into existence. The “Truth of God” is being silenced or “adapted” to suit the likes and dislikes of people who refuse to be told the Good News, or are afraid to realize that they are wrong. One of the divisive issues dividing our churches these days is the presence of women in the ministerial capacity, which stimulates heated controversy, not only among men ministers, but among laity, both men and women as well. It is one of those issues, in which humans are not yet fully clear or fully ready to accept freely or comfortably. It is one of the many issues and situations in which women have been ignored or postponed through centuries of misinterpretation and intentional or unintentional misapplication of God’s original plans and purpose for both men and women at Creation. For centuries the role of a priest or a minister of the word and sacraments was one of the “exclusive privileges” just for men. (Still prevalent in the Roman catholic church, some evangelical denominations and sects, in the eastern orthodox churches, and some non-Christian religions). Talking or writing about this topic is not an easy task to undertake without touching on the relational behavior between man and woman since Creation, which is characterized by a myriad of feelings and actions, hurt, damage and behavior extremes to this day, as we all know. A famous advertising slogan states: “You have come a long way baby”. We all know that it refers to one of woman’s so called “emancipation victories”,(smoking in public for instance), and it depicts a young, beautiful and slender woman, first dressed in the 1920’s fashion and then in a skimpy bikini swimsuit. That type of declaration which intends to represent woman’s achievements in “man’s” society, is offensive and diminishing of our role and personality as planned and purposed by God, and clearly stated in Genesis 1:27, 28, which reads as follows: “So God created man in his own image. In the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” God created man and woman to be “equal” under Him, in His own image, with neither having dominion over the other. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s commandments to them, He cursed them and set the man over the woman. In Genesis 3:16 He said to the woman: “Yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” This established the relationship mode between a woman and her husband, which was grossly misconstrued by men generation after generation, and placed woman, not in a subordinate status of hierarchy to a husband or a father, with no change in her human rights as originally purposed, but in an obscure and unaccountable position of servitude, ignorance and abuse, considered as a piece of property at the expense and whims of her “master”, being him her husband, father or any other male authority with a stronghold over her. This misinterpretation of God’s words and plan have been carried on through centuries into our days and throughout many so called “third world” countries. Even in some of our most modern cultures and civilizations, remainders of such gruesome system and way of life, still affects the way in which men and women communicate, or should we say “non-communicate”, since there is only “one way” communication in an abusive relationship; “the abuser’s”. There is hope though; things have changed drastically in the past 50 years, and continue to do so, in spite of extremists and self-indulgent opportunistic movements and organizations who, under a disguise of “concern”, confuse rightful issues of civil, human and spiritual rights, and prey on the ignorance, the pain and the suffering of entire groups of the “so called” minorities, which include ethnical and cultural differences, races, men and women, causing even more hurt, damage, isolation and separation. Opportunities and possibilities for the woman of today are open and available. Although there are still barriers and misconceptions, most of which debatable and negotiable. I do not believe in impossibilities, as long as there is a line of communication and goodwill from all concerned. Even if goodwill is not a part of initial negotiations, (we are living very difficult times in which the character and values as contained in the Ten Commandments are being questioned, trampled and ignored by a large number of human beings), faith, logic, honesty, principles and ethics must become active components of the formula in order to set it in motion. Eventually, goodwill will develop, therefore, propitiating acceptance, amendments and restitution. Beware though from anger, frustration, hate and resentment; they do not belong in any negotiation or communication, nor in any peace treaty. Peace and Harmony are what we strive for between “Adam and Eve”. It is unfortunate though, that: anger, frustration, hate and resentment are the main characteristics of all movements, ie: racial/ethnic or cultural discrimination, feminism, machismo, nazism, etc., which undermine, obstruct and deter the attempts to establish healthy, peaceful, positive communication and understanding among people. Sadly, they are also, today’s most common denominator in the proposed relationship and achievements of human beings. If only each of us, very consciously, would decide to let go of those horrible negatives by allowing the past to be the past, and use it as a learning tool and experience, to work in establishing a better present and future, “Adam and Eve” from any race and culture, would finally achieve peace and happiness. We would begin to accept each other for what they are: “God’s equal creation to complement each other as individuals and partners, in love and understanding of each other.” It is through the struggles, sacrifice, unselfishness, humility, hard
work and education efforts of known and unknown women from all times, that
we, woman of today are able to be who we are. Thanks be to God for
them. The Holy Scriptures account for almost 200 named women and
almost the same number who are unnamed. History accounts for named
hundreds, and unnamed thousands of great women who personally contributed
to freedom, education, philosophy, science and faith in God, and even gave
their lives, alongside with great men that understood their plight and
value, and recognized their role in the schematic plan of God for
“Adam and Eve”: “equal opportunity” and “justice” for all.
An in-depth study of God’s word reveals the following points: 1. GOD does ordain women to all of the gift ministries and deaconships.The confirmation of God’s word on this subject is stated in Galatians 3:26-28, as follows: “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” God has commanded every Christian to: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the Word of Truth.” (II Timothy 2:15) The subject of women in ministry should not be based on assumptions about the writings of Paul, or taking liberties with God’s Word; rather it requires careful and responsible study, and willingness to be taught by His Word, through prayer and the confirmation of The Holy Spirit. (Also, this work should be submitted to prayer and confirmation of The Holy Spirit as it is read). Going back to Genesis 3:16 discussed before, God said to Eve: “…thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee,” let’s take a positive look at God’s intentions and not to man’s misinterpretations. The established relationship between man and woman, is later clarified and confirmed in the New Testament in Ephesians 5:22-33 (of which we quote verses 32 and 33): “This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the Church. Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband.” If the relationship of Christ and the Church is similar to that of the marriage between man and woman as stated above, then we must realize and come to the conclusion that God’s intentions in the Garden of Eden was not to disgrace woman by degrading her to the condition of beast or property, but to unite them in the flesh to complement each other, therefore establishing the order of the family, whereby man is the head of the family, as Christ is the head of the church. What is intended is that for order to exist, there must be a good relationship of love, trust, honor and respect between a man and a woman, like that of Christ and His Church. It is then understood that a married woman, dependant on man’s approval and consent in her behalf, to enter the ministry, for example, must seek permission and support of her husband, to enjoy together the blessings and fruits of her calling; just as if she is young single, and her father is still living and responsible for her, (Numbers 30:1-16*) in relation and compliance of “The Law of Vows”, as commanded by God to Moses in the Old Testament. *It is curious though, that “The Law of Vows” as stated in this passage of the Holy Scripture, in verse 16 which reads: “These are the statutes which The Lord commanded Moses, as between a man and his wife, and as between a father and his daughter, ‘while she is’ in her youth in her father’s house”, does not speak to a never married single woman, ‘beyond her youth years, an orphan.or not.” Could we construe by this that as a “single adult, never married”, her subordination would only be to God, accountable only to Him, abiding only in His Will under His law and commandments? I will risk a “yes”; since she is only subordinated to Him. It is important to point out, that God being the one Who “Calls”, will Call women or men to ministry, and provide the way and means to attain it. If the woman is married or still young in her father’s household, or if she is an emancipated single adult, He will incline everyone’s hearts in order to fulfill the Call. There is no doubt about; I am a living proof. The first example is precisely God’s choice of a “single adult, never married” woman as a significant leader and minister: Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron. Exodus 15:20-21 refers to her as a prophetess singing praises unto the Lord after having crossed the Red Sea in their escape from Egypt. Micah 6:4 confirms her as a principal leader of the Israelites, as follows: “Indeed, I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and ransomed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam.” “Prophetess” is translated from the Hebrew word “Nebiah”, which means “female preacher”. It is clear that Miriam was ordained a minister and leader by God and placed before His people as such. Another important one is Deborah; the fifth in the succession of Judges that presided over Israel. Judges 4:4 states that Deborah, a prophetess (Nebiah), judged Israel during the reign of King Jabin, a Canaanite who oppressed Israel. The book of Judges tells us that after the death of Joshua, the children of Israel repeatedly fell into sin, idolatry and the resultant oppression of pagan peoples Judges 2:16, 18 read: "“Then the Lord raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them And when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge……”. The judges of Israel had distinctly pastoral responsibilities; their
role consistent with the purpose given in Ephesians 4:11, 12 for the ordaining
of ministers in the Church:
Deborah was a married woman, and the Scripture does not account for any children of her own. The children of Israel came to her for judgement, and she defended them from King Jabin and his 900 iron chariots under the command of Sisera, carrying out the Will of God according to His divine revelation to her as His prophetess. In Judges 4:6,7 she designated Barak as the leader of the army, and told him the size of the army and from where to recruit the warriors, where to engage the enemy in battle, and led them to victory as promised by God. Deborah’s experience is a very clear example of God’s use of a holy and obedient woman as a total leader of His people. The following are highlights of her status and character that should be noted: 1. As a married woman and one obedient to God, she must have honored His commandment in her role as a wife. Most probably she had her husband’s support in her responsibility as a judge of Israel.
+ + + Looking for women ministers and prophetesses in the New Testament, we find ANNA, and she is the first Christian Missionary. Anna was, with Simeon in the Temple of Jerusalem when Mary and Joseph brought Baby Jesus to be presented to The Lord. Anna was a prophetess who believed the O. T. prophesies about The Messiah, and waited for Him incessantly. When she saw Jesus, she knew it was Him, and after praising and worshipping went out to spread the Good News. She became the first female herald of the Incarnation to all who looked for the Redeemer in Jerusalem. We go on, and Lydia of Thyatira comes to mind, a truly devoted Christian, who gave all she had and produced in the service of The Lord; and Phebe who Paul identified as a minister of the Church in Cenchrea and a great person, so great in her Christianity and service that Paul urged the believers in Rome to “receive her in The Lord, as becometh saints. Priscilla (the diminutive of Prisca), very close and good friends of Paul, and tentmakers likewise. Aquila, Priscilla’s husband and herself were of strong faith committed Christians, who served The Lord with their entire lives and strength. They shared a profound knowledge of Scripture and were one in the service of the Church. Paul mentions two deaconesses in the Philippian Church, Euodias and Syntyche, and so the list goes on of women who not only accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but that served Him and His Church with love, enthusiasm and all they had and were. To any thoughtful person, it is obvious that a woman’s relationship to God is not dependent upon any man. The position of the woman preacher or pastor, prophet, teacher, apostle or evangelist is substantiated in the Scriptures. However, it is more clearly substantiated by the many anointed women of God who are rightly spreading His word and effecting the great commission of going into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature. This was begun by the prophetess Anna, at Jesus’ circumcision, as mentioned before. Luke 2:38 reads: “and she coming in that instant, gave thanks likewise unto The Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” It is very significant that at Jesus’ dedication two people prophesied over Him; one a man, the other a woman. This woman is the first person recorded in Scripture to preach redemption through Christ. Women are continuing to do this today, and the fact that they are effective and blessed in their work, attest to their validity. In our concern for furthering the Kingdom of God, and doing what Jesus told us to do, we must not be dismayed and distracted by fruitless debates about the ministry of women and their preaching, be it in English or Spanish, or in any other language or cultural background. It is the Spirit of God who compels us to be obedient to His Call, then surrender and submit to Him, and it is the same Spirit who moves the Churches and the hearts within them to accept His Will. Please remember the following: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, new creation is; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” II Cor. 5:17 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.” John 3:6 “……I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh: and your sons and daughters will prophesy; Your old men will dream dreams, and Your young men will see visions……” Joel 2:28 “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit
and in Truth.” John 4:24
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Atrocities have been committed throughout the history of the world in The Name of God. Wars have been waged and millions have been killed and murdered because of the misconception of the “right to be right”, and that is wrong, without exceptions. As human beings, we were endowed by God at creation with our so manipulated and abused “free will”. It is my believe that the best use for this endowment is to use it to “CHOOSE”: 1) to will our personal surrender and submission to His Will”, and really trust in Him in everything as Proverbs 3:5 & 6 commands us to do: “Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”, and 2) to will ourselves not to HATE, but to LOVE regardless of the circumstances and situations, because He has promised to: “Never leave us or forsake us”. ________________________________
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