June 4 - Paul and Women Leaders

 Read today’s texts first: Proverbs 28,29; Psalms 60; Romans 16

MAXIMize YOUR DAY
 We believe in woman leaders for one reason - God does! 

When I was being interviewed for this job, I was asked how I felt about women leaders. This was a pertinent question as I would be working with a woman chaplain. The answer was easy – it’s a non-issue! I say that not because I’m part of a denomination founded by a woman, nor because it’s the politically correct answer. I’m not a feminist; in fact I believe the agenda to make women the same as men misrepresents women. It certainly misrepresents God, the one who uniquely designed us as male and female. The truth is, I believe in woman leaders for one reason - God does!

Reformers who misunderstand God’s sovereignty because of Romans 9 (ignoring the counterbalance on free will in the next five chapters), also struggle with endorsing women leaders because of two passages in Paul’s writings - 1 Corinthians 14:34,35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15. They fail to note the specific context of these two letters, the first addressing women disrupting public services, and the second, women spreading the teachings of false prophets. If the context isn’t obvious enough, then our reading in Romans today should convince everyone that Paul, and the Holy Spirit who inspired him, believed in women leaders.

Paul mentions women who worked with him, evangelized with him, taught with him, and led with him ten times in this one short salutation. They include Phoebe, a Deacon (vs. 1,2 - those who think pastors can’t be women because of 1 Tim. 3:2, “husband of one wife”, need to read 3:12 - the same was said of deacons); Priscilla, a church planter and teacher (vs. 3,4); and Junia, an apostle (check it out - v. 7). Women often responded to the gospel first as Paul went from town to town, and he was smart enough to know that if God was calling them to serve and lead in the church, that was good enough for him.

Paul said it best: watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them (v. 17). “Lord, Your Word is clear and I pray that I would never put obstacles in the way of those You are calling to serve through leadership, Jew or Gentile, male or female, old or young” (Acts 2:17,18; Gal. 3:28).