Church Gender Roles

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Women feel that they are not to take part in church services. This essay will address the role of women in the church; the positions of elder and deacon, women holding office, arguments against it, limitation, and what women contribute.
The office of Elder, or Presbyter, was created to fill the role of preaching and teaching (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet, 5:1-4) the flock when the apostles were. An Elder is an authoritative role, with the Apostles, in church decisions and direction (Acts 11:30), necessitating moral fortitude, and sound biblical and doctrinal knowledge. The office of Deacon was one of practical service to the Apostles and the church (Acts 6). They are morally and ethically sound, of good reputation at home and in the community, and representative of the servitude of Christ (1 Tim. 3:8-13; …show more content…
Gal. 3:28 unequivocally states equality of men and women. God used them in the Old Testament (Exodus 15:20; Judg. 4:4; Esther), even in a misogynistic society (R. Nicole [Elwell], 1282). Historically, the office of deacon has been open to women, although in service to other women. Since leadership is authority, the office of Elder has closed to them (1 Timothy 2:12). A Christian must reconcile the total equality of Galatians 3:28, the recommendation of Phoebe in Romans 16:1, and the Apostolic praise of Junia in Romans 16:7, with the demand for female submission and silence espoused in 1 Timothy 2:11-15, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. Viewing Paul’s teachings as culturally instructive there is no contradiction. Paul was correcting bad behavior, and bringing peace to a specific body. The silence and submission of women was to stifle cult behavior and false teaching. Overall, Paul maintained order in a fledgling church (1 Tim. 2:11-15, 1 Cor. 14:34-35). God retains the right to call anyone to His service and purpose (Acts 2:1; Rm. 16:1, 7), and shows no favoritism (Acts 10:34), regardless of sex, age, and

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