Bible Question: I understand your answer. However, you stated that women were deacons in the NT church? Isn't a requirement to be the husband of one wife? |
Bible Answer: What if you are a single woman? Does that mean you only get to sing in the choir or make squares? Frankly, less squares might do the church good, along with LESS casseroles!!!if you know what I mean....I keep looking for that scripture that says, go ye into the church and eat somemore, so you all get as fat as pigs!! Cannot find it!!LOL!! Women have uniqueness that they bring into service in the church....here is what I found, you decide. Tim, I looked up the entire passage, and here it is: 8 Deacons in like manner [must be] grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless. 11 Women in like manner [must be] grave, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be husbands of one wife, ruling [their] children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. You will notice women are included here, with instructions on their behaviour. I agree, but am unsure if we are talking about the same thing. When I was younger, I attended a church, that ONLY had deacons, no elders. Since then, I attended a church with both. The deacons job was that of ministering to tangible needs. Women were allowed to serve in this function. As Elders? No. When, and this is just me, I went looking in scripture, as I had never been in a church where women "served" before, I found what I told you before. I think this is more a matter of syntax, than function. As pastors? NO women. As Elders? No women. In terms of tangible jobs, yes I think this is absolutely necessary. I definitely would not want men looking after single or divorced or widowed women. Not a good idea at all. It can lead to all sorts of problems, real and imagined. In many programs the world has to offer, i.e. AA men are always paired with men, and women with women. They perhaps know something we don't. Women in the NT were always working in the area we refer to as "deacon". They function in hospitality, teaching, etc to other women. They are called to do such in scripture...women should treat the younger ones as if they were their mothers etc. You know the passage. I think that is what I am referring to.....not spritual stuff, which is what I think you mean. I agree with you on the spritual stuff, and think that God pronounced it when HE showed us that men are responsible for what goes on in their homes, and is the umbrella over the family between God and the family, also the church. Really I don't have a problem with women serving in very tangible ways in the church. It's good role for them to be in, and many of the women in the NT did the same. Really think this is syntax. ???? K |