The fight for the pulpit
Lately, there has been a massive public divide when it comes to women and ministry, specifically preaching behind a pulpit. It’s an interesting issue to read up on (and read the comments section) as people are literally arguing over what women CANNOT do in the church all the time every day.
As I read all these articles and comments and information I am left with one question - Why are we so focused on talking about what women can’t do all the time? And women, why are we so focused on fighting back against one aspect in the church?
The church has a long history of fighting over women in leadership, women in the pulpit, women in general. They have not been great at these conversations and have never developed a great biblical framework for the role of women in the church. This lack of framework and the inability for women to find a place in the church has caused many women to seek validation outside of the church. The world tells us we are valued and equal and can do anything at all and the church sits around debating over what exactly our value translates into. The church is really good at telling women where not to be but never tells women how they can impact the kingdom and the great commission.
The loudest argument right now - women are not allowed in the pulpit speaking to men.
Many of the scriptural bases are taken out of context by BOTH sides of the argument. Some quote one verse and call the argument done. Some forget to add in the context, the original audience, the purpose of those scriptures they are quoting, others don’t want to accept some of the Biblical truths so twist it or stretch it just a tad. Some want the power they think the pulpit holds and others want to hold onto the power they think the pulpit has.
Unfortunately, we are not great at interpreting scripture (that’s a talk for another day) But, let’s just imagine for a second that women should not be in the pulpit.
So if women can’t be in the pulpit what can they do?
Well, here is a very condensed list of other “things” women can do in the church, in ministry and in life in general;
1. Witnessing Power, Acts 1:8
2. Mutual Encouragement, Romans 1:11-12
3. Prophesying, Romans 12:6, I Corinthians 12:10
4. Serving, Romans 12:7
5. Teaching, Romans 12:7
6. Encouraging, Romans 12:8
7. Contributing, Romans 12:8
8. Leadership, Romans 12:8
9. Showing Mercy, Romans 12:8
10. Spirit of Unity, Romans 15:5
11. Wisdom, I Corinthians 12:8
12. Knowledge, I Corinthians 12:8
13. Faith, I Corinthians 12:9
14. Healing, I Corinthians 12:9
15. Miraculous Powers, I Corinthians 12:10
16. Discernment, I Corinthians 12:10
17. Interpretation, I Corinthians 12:10
18. Administration, I Corinthians 12:28
19. Revelation, Ephesians 1:17
20. I Joy, I Thessalonians 1:6
Get what I am getting at here?
The church has focused so much on what they believe women cannot do that they are pushing women into the arms of other non-biblical-based movements when in reality, they are fighting over a tiny part of what it means to be the church and to belong in the body.
Very tiny part.
Preaching is not the most important thing. Paul actually lists what Jesus gives to the church and puts them in this order: apostle, evangelist, prophet, pastor, teacher (Eph. 4:11). But for some reason we are so stuck on defining who can do number 4 we are completely forgetting the top three, fighting over the most meaningless of things and I am sure Satan is loving the results of that. (Church decline anyone?)
So, I’m not here to share my opinion on that matter (and whatever you are assuming my opinion is, my bet is you’re probably wrong) Honestly, I am not too worried about whether or not the Bible allows me in a pulpit or to preach (the Bible actually never mentions the world pulpit and very little about preaching so…..)
The Bibles tells us to go into all the world and MAKE disciples TEACHING them to obey every command. PROCLAIMING the gospel. We don’t need a pulpit to fulfill that commission and, dare I say, we actually need to leave the pulpit behind to fulfill that commission.
Imagine the impact we could have if we were less concerned about who is in the pulpit and more concerned about actually sharing the good news in any way, shape or form.
Let’s stop fighting over the pulpit. Let’s stop shaming and condemning someone who believes in a different stance on the topic. Let’s stop holding so tightly to these secondary theology issues and start making sure we are doing the most important things of life - loving God and loving others.
Who cares who is in the pulpit. Stop putting so much emphasis on the pulpit and just share the Good News!
