This morning the editor of the lectionary found a series of verses she did not like. THe idea of women being silent in church was considered unthinkable. There were brakets put around the verses — which normally means that the text is unreliable. This is not the case here. Instead the text is unacceptable to the modern churchian.

Should older women train younger women? Yes. I am seeing my wife do this with her step grand daughter most days we are here. By example. By actions. Using words when necessary. But she does not want to lead in the church. She has learned to be content with what she has: and the messages of this world that breed discontent she ignores.

Which shows you do not need words to be an example.

This video affirms that women should not teach men, be in authority over men, or be the leaders in the church.
Am I understanding that you think the correct interpretation of that scripture is that women should not even speak in church?

The obligatory debasement before the wife authority is consistent with male submission of the modern church – I agree that is embarrassing – but if those parts were taken out of the video would you still be upset and consider the right interpretation to be that women cannot ever speak in church? They cannot teach children or other women?

In communist countries like China and N.Korea, churches are allowed to exist, so long as they pay homage to the ideology of the state. They are by law required to be registered with the state so that their belief systems can be monitored. American Christianity is starting to look the same – they pay homage to Neo-Marxism, the ideology of the state before God. They bend their knee to a fundamentally atheist ideology and I suspect a few decades later, it will become the law in North America as well

Sorry, but the teaching is clear. This is part of scripture that is ignored. It is an argument against women in seminaries, in eldership, and never be in the leadership. When they have the positions of leadership, the church is in disobedience, and there will be consequences.

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

²⁶What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. ²⁷If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. ²⁸But if there is no one to interpret, let them be silent in church and speak to themselves and to God. ²⁹Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. ³⁰If a revelation is made to someone else sitting nearby, let the first person be silent. ³¹For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged. ³²And the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets, ³³for God is a God not of disorder but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, ³⁴women should be silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as the law also says. ³⁵If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. ³⁶Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

³⁷Anyone who claims to be a prophet, or to have spiritual powers, must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. ³⁸Anyone who does not recognize this is not to be recognized. ³⁹So, my friends, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; ⁴⁰but all things should be done decently and in order.

The question is how does this happen. Two reasons. The first is that men are now scared to teach little children lest they are accused of corrupting minors. The second is that people think the church should be fair and progressive. Both are wrong.

The first place it starts is the Sunday Schools, because it is always hard to find the teachers and women are much more inclined to take on the role of educating children. The second place is the administrative functions, because those are not traditionally considered to be subject to the various strictures relevant to the Biblical standards. After all, the Bible may limit pastoral duties and the Elders to men, but says nothing about accountants and secretaries.

The third place is the singles ministry. Because no one, least of all good Christians, wants to blame single mothers for their poor choices, and because too many of the men who attend the singles’ groups tend to be low in socio-sexual status, there is a natural tendency to gravitate toward secular standards and feminism that provides an entry point for convergence. Be particularly wary of any pastor who moves into leadership from either the singles or women’s ministry.

It would probably be very useful to research how the women who end up in the pulpit at converged churches began their careers in the church. That would provide a sound basis for what is merely casual observation and conjecture at this point. Where, for example, did Mindy Bak first begin her career at North Heights?
There’s a large baptist church in Austin that is known for its female lead pastor. According to her bio, she started in the children/family and music ministries. Before that, she was a public school teacher.

Not surprisingly, the church is heavily focused on women’s issues, social and economic justice, and other progressive stuff.

The church is not about women’s issues. It is about the gospel. The problem with those who desperately want the promotion, to change the job, to make a difference is that they will listen to their own agenda and not that of Christ, and the cost of those around them.

Do not be them. Do not be like them.