I find it hilarious that women can “teach” but not “preach.” Can someone please show me, what the difference is? If a man is talking about God, it is preaching. But if a woman is talking about God, then it is “teaching” or “sharing” because “preaching” is only for men…does anyone else see how silly this is?!
Ironically, I used to think women shouldn’t preach, much less be in leadership. In fact, at one point in my adolescent years, I informed my Dad that I did not think a woman should ever be president because they couldn’t be trusted. They were given over to their emotions, and we all know that is irrational and bad. How could they make wise decisions under hormonal influences? No, we needed men, who can shoot without remorse, to hear from God and lead people and nations. (don’t you just want to punch me in the face right now?). However, these opinions had more to do with my culture, than they did my actual convictions.
I grew up in a society that mocked the sanity of women and told them they had no place in the inner circles of God’s House. That was “men’s” work. Any women striving after positions of leadership were power hungry and discontent with the roles God had so clearly mandated in scriptures. Women were made to plan the potlucks and wipe tiny bottoms and cook from scratch and waste their husband’s money and smile pretty for the men to admire. Although no one was saying these things outright, the attitudes, casual comments, and jokes made revealed that women were not thought much of beyond procreation and dinner. To be woman, was little more than sexual objectification. This felt damning to me, but it was what I had to believe in order to be accepted by my male peers, and maybe even more so, my female peers.
Somehow, I knew that women were made for more, but it wasn’t until I asked the question, “why not women?” that the truth so clearly materialized. I became a voracious reader of all things women’s identity related, consuming books like “Jesus Feminist” by Sarah Bessey, “A Year of Biblical Womanhood” by Rachel Held Evans, and “Fashioned to Reign” by Kris Vallotton. If men AND women were created in I AM’s image, then both must be equally representative. Two important parts of a powerful whole. When one is silenced, we lose an accurate picture of God’s heart. For centuries, we have been missing half of God’s revelation, though it has been in scripture all along.
The unique way God speaks through women is through their emotions, their intelligence, intuitions, sensitivities, and passions. Nations are edified by their vision, their beauty, their creativity, their strength, their ability to create life and unite humanity. The prayers of righteous women are special, powerful. How could women’s voices mean everything to God, but nothing to the men of the earth?
I believe God has sweet manna for the world to release through women.
The male writers of Psalms and Proverbs refer to what they learned at their mother’s knees, and how they bound this teaching around their necks. Miriam was a prophet of God, a judge named Deborah brought order and enacted God’s decrees to a lost and moral-less wandering tribe. The King of Persia yielded himself to the wisdom of a woman that saved an entire nation from genocide. The New Testament would look VERY different were it not for the female disciples, deacons, teachers, elders, friends, evangelists, mothers, and entrepreneurs, who carried the word of God in their hearts and into their spheres of influence. Time and time again Jesus empowered women, healing them, forgiving them, and sending them back to their communities to speak the truth of His gospel message. Paul’s ministry thrived on the generous patronage of Lydia, a wealthy business woman who loved God and planted one of the first churches in Europe.
This is not about throwing out scripture that is uncomfortable. This is not about re-interpreting scripture to support preferred worldviews. This is about understanding the heart and character of God, and interpreting scripture through that lens. God’s original design was co-dominion, Adam and Eve both charged to rule and subdue the earth as equals. Jesus’ work on the cross opens the door for us to live beyond Eden’s curse, to return to God’s original design.
We need the global community of women embracing their diversity and stepping into the weighty charge of the Great Commission, with nothing holding them back, to showcase the love and hope of Jesus Christ in the beautiful ways that only they can. One tribe, one nation, one voice rising up to quash darkness in every corner of the globe.
Kelsi Folsom holds a B.M. in Voice Performance and has traveled all over the world participating in operas, musicals, jazz bands, and choirs. Now a mom to “three under three”, she currently resides in Saba, Dutch Caribbean while her husband attends medical school. When she is not putting on her best Cherubino while changing dirty diapers, you can find her perfecting gluten-free recipes, snorkeling, *gasp* reading, enjoying a nap, or trying to make sense of her life over french press. Kelsi writes here, and is also a regular contributor to the island website Women Who Live On Rocks.
“Preach it, sister!”
I grew up very similarly with very gender based defined roles. I resonate with the journey to embrace all that I am, and can be.
I support you in your journey, thank you for reading and commenting. May we continue in kindness and courage.
Ever question why the entire Bible was written by men? In Genesis 3, both the man and woman heard the Lord God walking in the garden. And the Lord called TO THE MAN. Why didn’t God call to the woman if they were both there? Seems like even God was acknowledging that the man was in charge. They both had jobs to do, but he was more of the CEO in the garden. What about the NT passages that list qualifications of elders (leaders/preachers) to include being the husband of one wife (not the wife of one husband)? And the Greek which clearly shows males at the top of the leadership pyramid. Seems like God Himself made a hierarchy with men as the leaders. Do women have no significant jobs to do? Of course not. But I’ll embrace the traditionally biblical view until someone can clearly explain a biblical view of women in leadership.
Hi, first of all, thank you for reading and interacting with this article. I appreciate your time. I would encourage you to read the books I mention, as well as “The Very Good Gospel” by Lisa Sharon Harper that Becky and Tracy mention in their comments below. I think they (the authors) can interact with some of the questions you have, and honestly you express similar questions that I had, more thoroughly. They handle the theological, historical, and cultural implications of some of the biblical texts you allude to in your reply, with research, logic, training, wisdom, humor at times, and grace. All of them hail from the evangelical tradition (I do not know about Lisa, I have yet to read her work) and are good communicators. What I hope to call into account in my engagement of these kinds of issues is this idea that men and women are in some kind of competition, reducing their identities to who is and isn’t “in charge” or “calling the shots.” I have seen this kind of thinking destroy a lot of marriages, whereas the opposite, more of an egalitarian approach to marriage, has produced more peaceful, thriving relationships. This has certainly been true in my own relationship with my husband, whom I do consider the “head” of our household, but we both lead our household in different ways, and there is mutual respect of and for how we contribute to our marriage, family, and communities. The charge of the gospel is the same whether you are a man or a woman. We are to all give testimony and make disciples, loving our neighbors as ourselves. A man’s testimony is not somehow holier or worth more than a woman’s testimony, which is what I have observed in some faith traditions. Women’s voices are readily dismissed or discredited, simply because, they are female. This is what I hope to shed light on, and invite faith traditions to consider their views of women and whether or not they resonate with the heart of God. I hope you can find the answers you are looking for. Grace and peace to you on your sojourn for truth.
I love Lisa Sharon Harper’s book, The Very Good Gospel. Her sixth chapter, Shalom Between Genders, is a must read for every woman who loves Jesus. That being said…I do not agree with the above reply. Thank you Kelsi! Yes! I am love what you wrote.
Hi Becky, thank you for the recommendation and support! I cannot wait to read the book, thank you for your kind words 🙂
Kelsi, I loved this post. I agree with Becky and her reference to Lisa Sharon Harper’s book, The Very Good Gospel. Her words about Shalom and the need for restoration between genders are so good, along with the rest of the book as well. There are many options available to read about women and their importance and roles in the church that expand the possibilities shared by the limited view offered in the earlier comment here. Thank you for offering your voice and sharing some of the books that been helpful as your are reframing what it means for you to be a woman in the church, and in the world today.
Tracy, beautifully articulate and gracious, as always. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for your kind words of wisdom here, I cannot wait to read Lisa’s book. I also just ordered “Half the Church” by: Carolyn Custis James. Thankful for godly women taking up the pen and edifying society. Much love to you!
Girl. Let’s talk about the first person who said to me, “I think women can be pastors,” when I was in college. And I was like, “OH! What an idea!” Haha, my mind was blown in ways that can only be attributed to the Spirit of God.
You did such a marvelous job articulating what many pastors and theologians around the world are crying out for right now. And I felt the particular pain in your statement regarding who we had to be as young women not just to be accepted by the men in our Christian communities, but by the women there. To me, that feels like a unique mark of evil–dividing and chaining the already disenfranchised in the name of God–I can think of other “movements” in the name of the Bible that have done unspeakable damage.
Keep speaking brave and true; it’s not important just for women, but for men battling a false sense of hyper-masculinity and detached from the gorgeous biblical images of the feminine God in Scripture. I’m with you, Sister. 😉
GIRL! I love you. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I imagine we could spend weeks sharing stories from our somewhat shared childhood. Here’s to godly women and godly men embracing the gospel and loving their communities well.
I have to join the “Preach it, girl!” bandwagon. Having gone through being called a heretic and people (women) being warned to stay away from me, I deeply identify with your heart and calling. May God be glorified in the humble and passionate effort to free women for the work to which God calls them without hindrance, often cultural shackles in the name of being scriptural. Yes, there are women who should not be in leadership- as there are men (probably a lot more). It’s about being faithful and courageous to follow Jesus, not about social constructs that impose artificial limitations to what God is doing. I better stop now- I feel a sermon coming on….
I would love to read a sermon penned by Annette Pedersen! Your reply gave me chills, I resonated so strongly with what you shared. Thank you for your kind words and for showing up in your spheres of influence as you do. I am thankful to know you 🙂
Kelsi. Preach, girl. Keep preaching, keep writing, keep speaking your truth…and AMEN. XO