 Women Church Leaders - Why Don’t You Have Any?
Dear Minister Waddey:
Please explain to me why Churches of Christ do not allow women to serve as elders or preachers? -Randall T
Dear Randall:
Because Christ is the founder and head of the church (Ephesians1:22), and because God gave Christ all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Christ alone has the authority to set the rules as to who can lead his church. Our responsibility is to respect and obey Him.
Through his chosen apostles, Christ said:
- "As in all the churches of the saints, let the women keep silence in the churches: for it not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection..." (I Corinthians 14:33-34).
- Again he says, "Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection. But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to have dominion over a man..." (I Timothy 2:11-12).
- Reading through the New Testament, we find no examples of women ruling as elders of churches, nor do we find examples of them serving as preachers of congregations.
- Historically we know that in the early days of Christianity no women filled these sacred offices.
Christianity does not yield to every new social or political trend that emerges. Those who cherish their political agendas above the rule of Christ and refuse to accept his authority in this matter, fail the fundamental test of being a Christian.
Jesus said, "Why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say?" (Luke 6:46).
-John Waddey
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