Women Pastors? Modest Apparel?

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Question: Can a woman be a preacher or a pastor of a church?
And how should Christian women dress?

We do NOT believe that women can pastor a church and preside head over men within the church body.

1Cor 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Christian women are not to have authority over the men. This is Biblical. There is an order to everything, as outlined in the Word of God. The husband is head of the wife as Christ is head of the Church. The head of every man is Jesus Christ and the head of the woman is the man.

1Tim 2:11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1Tim 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1Tim 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1Tim 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being
deceived was in the transgression.

The key to the above verses is "to usurp authority over the man..." Obviously many women are included in the New Testament writings, therefore they were not in obscurity...lurking in the shadows somewhere. (Read: 1Tim. 5:9-10; Phil. 4:2-3; Acts 9:36-9; Rom. 16:1; Tit. 2:4-5)
Each person has a clearly defined role within the Body of Christ.

Eph 5:22-24 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as
Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

The Bible is consistent throughout. Nowhere will you find a Scripture that speaks of women being head over the church body.

Now, some denominations go overboard and will not even let the women talk in the church foyer. Such thinking is nonsense for even the Apostle Paul greets certain sisters in the Church in his letters. Anyone who reads the Bible verses in context understands that the Bible is clearly defining the roles of the man and the woman within the Body and that the woman is not to be in authority over the man.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Some men think women to be intellectually inferior. I pray this is not the case within the true Body of Christ. Some men have the idea that Christian women have nothing to offer to the Church. No, this is not what the Bible
is saying. The Lord gives each and every one of us (male and female) spiritual gifts and natural talents and abilities. There are many godly
women out there who fear the Lord and who have much wisdom.

There are women who have higher IQ's than their husbands but it still does not give them the authority to rule over their husbands or over the men within the Church. God's rules are clearly defined and should be obeyed.

Although all are one in Christ Jesus, there is an order to everything that
God has made.

Christian women can minister to other women-- such as in women's Bible study groups, children's Sunday school, ladies retreats, etc. A Christian woman can write books and articles, which edify all believers, (under the authority of her husband and/or pastor) and minister in music (modestly dressed) on the platform. We do not believe that women (nor pastor's wives) should sit on the platform-- for the very reason that nothing should distract the listener from the message being delivered. The pastor's wife should sit with the congregation, submitting to her husband's leadership, as an example to others.

MODEST APPAREL

1Tim 2:9-10 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh
women professing godliness) with good works.

Modest apparel means DO NOT CAUSE ATTENTION TO YOURSELF. Modesty means "orderly"-- that all limbs covered-- no knees showing-- No backless dresses, no short skirts or tight fitted garments, no cinched waist dresses, no sleeveless dresses, no low-cut "V" necklines, no jeans and no shorts. We also believe that the apparel is to be classy and not distracting.
If someone's eye is drawn to the next pew over, looking at sequins on a sister's jacket, they are not properly listening to the sermon being delivered.

Pastors should clearly define what "modesty is" and what decent
attire is for their congregation.

Church is not a fashion show. Church is not a circus either-- meaning wear garments that have some dignity to them. With the way some people dress, you would think they joined the circus...Humorous but true.

Church is a time when God's people come to worship the Lord, who is Holy. We should worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Psalm 99:5 Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

Psalm 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

Our minds should be fixed upon the Lord. We come to church to learn God's Word and to worship the Lord. We sing unto Him and we fellowship with one another-- lifting one voice unto our God.

1Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Church is not a fashion show, church is not for public display of riches. Christians are not Christmas trees-- hence leave the feathers, sequins, rhinestones, big hats and gaudy jewelry at home.

The whole point of being modest is to NOT cause attention to yourself and not to cause others to envy or be jealous.

1Peter 3:3-5 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

Years back, it was just the standard within the Church for women to dress modestly. Women did not want to cause attention to themselves by wearing costly jewelry or glittering outfits. Today, however, in this lukewarm, liberal generation, modesty must be clearly defined and even then many so-called "Christian" women complain that they feel "restricted". A woman who wears revealing clothing in public is dishonoring to herself and shows no respect for her husband. The women who try to find ways around the
Word of God must be deemed "worldly" and not spiritually minded. A woman who loves the Lord Jesus will never want to cause a person to lust after her by dressing provocatively. A godly woman dresses modestly out
of respect for the Lord she serves and the husband she is married to and
the congregation she is a member of.

The older women within the church must set the example for the younger women. Young mothers must dress their little girls modestly, as well.

Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Today, women are pushing for equal roles within the Church body. Both roles defined in the Bible are equal--meaning equally important but distinctly different. We must obey God's Word.

The devil is the opposite of God. The devil is the father of rebellion and his ways are opposite of the Bible. God has clearly defined the roles for both sexes within the Church. All is clearly defined within the Bible. Women want to preach and be head over the men but God's Word has NOT changed concerning the woman's role within the home and church. God's commandments are not grievous. The women who love the Lord Jesus, obey His Word with a joyful heart. They understand His Word for they are led by His Spirit.

We believe that a Pastor's wife, if she is not a young mother caring for children, can be a helpmate to her husband concerning church functions-- be secretary, counsel women on various issues, etc. Christian wives can assist their husbands, who are pastors, in counseling sessions involving women. A Pastor should not be left to counsel a woman alone. If it is marriage counseling, both the husband and wife, of the marriage in trouble, should be present at the sessions with the Pastor. This is just common sense for obvious reasons. In this day and age of lawsuits, it is important
for pastors to set boundaries to protect themselves and their reputations
and their families. (2 Corinthians 2:11)

We believe that Christian wives can help their husbands research books, sermons and materials in ministry, can help with a sermon topic, can share with their husbands something the Lord showed them within God's Word but for a Christian woman to be the pastor, associate pastor, deacon, or any role that has headship over the man within the church goes against what the Bible says.

CONCLUSION:

The Lord loves us all the same. All Saints--male and female-- are equal in God's sight and both enjoy the same spiritual position before God-- saved by grace through faith. Both enjoy the same spiritual blessings but God's plan for each on this earth is clearly defined in His Word. Male and female have different roles within the Church body. A woman cannot teach or have authority over a man within the Church.

We, as Christians, cannot rewrite God's Word to fit our lifestyles or opinions. We cannot rewrite certain verses to fit in with the "modern age". We cannot twist God's Word around to agree with our modern ideas. The Bible is the final authority. God's laws do not change just because times change. God's Word stands alone and the Lord does not change. His principles remain the same.

Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and
his truth endureth to all generations.

Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Copyright � 2005 Cobblestone Road Ministries
All Rights Reserved

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