WOMEN IN CHURCH (6)

0. Introduction

a) What role, if any, should women play in the church? Does the Bible allow women to teach in church, especially to men? Are there female ministers in the Bible? Is it permissible for a married woman to pray publicly? Some believe that ALL women, married or not, should not speak at all during services. Others feel that women should be able to ask questions but not allowed to make statements or comments. They view this type of active participation by women as "teaching men."

1. An example of a female minister

i) "I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant (Greek: diakonos) of the church in Cenchrea . . . " (Romans 16:1-2) 

a) Phoebe was a diakonos (Strong's Concordance #1249). This word is translated in the New Testament scriptures as "servant" (Matthew 23:11; Mark 9:35; John 2:5), "minister" (Matthew 20:26; 2 Corinthians 6:4; Ephesians 3:7), and "deacon" (Philippians 1:1; 1Timothy 3:8, 12). Does that mean she held the office of "deaconess?" Make no mistake, Phoebe was a diakonos -- a minister!

b) Was Phoebe a church pastor? Probably not. She was a ministrant or servant, one who was actually SERVING the needs of others. When men take to themselves the title of "minister," only to become the man in charge and boss people around, that man is NOT a minister -- he is ruling over the faith of others.

c) Does this mean that there are female ministers in the Bible? Yes, it does. Not pastors, not elders, not bosses, but true servants of God! Are they only meek and weak servants, destined only to wash dishes? Yes, every congregation ought to be FILLED with servants -- ministers -- men, women, and children (Ephesians 4:12-13)!