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The Theology of Women in Ministry
"The most sensitive and divisive issue in evangelicalism today, although not the most important one, is the issue of women in ministry." - Stanley, et. al
My maternal grandmother seen in the above photo with me was the first women in over 100 years in the Summer Grove Baptist & Educational Association within the state of South Carolina to be licensed and ordained into ministry. Licensed and Ordained close to twenty years and still going strong, she is the epitome of women and their role as a proclaimer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
She set the pace for other women in the area, Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) in which we stayed, to take on their calling in full confidence. "The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor and proclaim freedom for the prisoner and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18b-19)
God has no respect of persons, He shows no favoritism (Romans 2:11). The church of the 21st century is now establishing and accepting, through being efficiently educated in the word-of-God, that women in ministry is okay! Little did I know that my maternal grandmother, who raised me along with my grandfather, would have a profound impact and influence on my calling into the ministry.
When the Lord called me to preach, my complaint was that I felt that I was too young to preach. Just like the call of Samuel in the house of Eli that came so profoundly, I had to say "Speak Holy Spirit, for thy servant listens" (I Samuel 3:9)! I was only nineteen years of age at the time and it took a while to come to grips with the calling on my life. Finally, at the age of twenty I went forth and accepted the call on August 09, 2009 and did my Initial Sermon and furthermore, was Licensed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank God for my maternal grandmother, the Reverend Sheldonia Brown!
The facts of the matter:
- The authority of Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah in the Old Testament demonstrates "the seeds of an egalitarian strand unparalleled among surrounding nations."
- Women, like men, functioned as authoritative prophets in the community (cf. Acts 2:16-17: 21:8-19; 1 Cor. 11:5).
- Women also functioned as co-workers (cf. esp. Romans 16), and Paul calls on Believers' to submit to such co-workers (1 Cor. 16:6)
A word of encouragement:
Don't underestimate the power of the Holy Ghost in your life and definitely do not let your age, gender (females), past and even social class status get in your way of doing the work and following out the will of God for your life! For Philippians 1:6 declares, "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
portions of this topic was taken from:
Stanley J. GreGrenz, S. J. & Kjesbo, D. M. (1995). Women in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 284pp., n.p.
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