The Church and its roles

Tonight I want to post some of my thoughts on a very touchy and challenging situation in the modern American church. What are the roles of men and women in the life of the church and what can and should women be allowed to do. In this post I do not get to specific because I believe it is a case by case basis but the foundational truth is the same for each case. Men are held responsible before God for the life and spiritual health of the church.

Complementarian

 The battle of the “sexes” should not take place inside God’s church. God created man and women in His image (Genesis 1:27). This also means that God has given distinct roles and jobs to both men and women. Men and women are to work together inside the family of God for the glory of God to spread His church. God has placed the man as the responsible one not only in the home (Ephesians 5:21-33) but God has also place the man as the responsible one inside the church (1 Timothy 2). This simply means just like God came calling for Adam after the sin of Eve (Genesis 3:9) so to God will come calling for the men of His church when things go wrong. God has given responsibilities to both men and women in the life of the church but it is up to the men in loving the women and serving the women to learn and follow God in stewarding the gifts of all. This difference in men and women comes to great struggles though when it comes to leadership and authority in the church. Scriptures makes clear God has ordained men to lead and guide in the church because that men are held responsible by God. Pastors, Elders and deacons must be men who are responsible to God because the flock is God’s (1 Peter 5:1-4, I Timothy 3:2; 12). Women though can be deaconess who would assist single or widowed women.  Women are to follow Paul’s instructions in I Timothy 2:9-15. In spiritual areas, they ought not to be teaching men nor should they have spiritual authority over men because men answer to God for the outcome. But God has created women with special abilities that men do not have. In complementary relationships between men and women, both groups use the gifts and talents that God has given them to His glory. Women can use their gifts and talents for God in the church but the role of leadership over the whole church must be men because the men will answer to God for the spiritual heart and well being of the church.