Public Conduct in the Church
Part 7: 1 Timothy 2:8-15; 1 Corinthians 14:33-36
Equal But Different
The issue of the roles of men and women in the church is a hotly debated subject. Some see no hierarchy at all in the New Testament, but rather a natural relating to one another through the use of spiritual gifts and callings (“organic church” and “emergent church”). Others see a severe domination of men over women in the church in which women have no congregational vote nor are allowed to exercise any spiritual gifts in a public way outside of the role of mother / wife / daughter.
The historical Baptist position has been one in which men and women have equal privileges in the membership. That is, every adult member is accepted as an individual, not as a couple or family. Each individual is free to join or leave the membership of a local church. By joining a church, each person freely
places himself/herself under the accountability of that local church.
Furthermore, in Baptist circles, leadership roles are always under Christ, who is the head of the Church (Col. 1:18). In this voluntary society, leaders are called or appointed, then that calling or appointment is accepted or rejected. In the case of a pastor who is individually and directly called by God to minister in this specific way, he is accountable first to God and then to the congregation. When any leader operates under and teaches God’s Word, we are all obligated to follow. In this way, accountability extends to all members of the church whether leaders or followers.
With that understanding, we also draw from the truths that we have studied so far. The woman was created as a helper complementary to the man, not the other way around. This truth extends to the family unit, and it also extends to the church organization. Whenever there is a leader / follower situation, in general the men are to do the leading and the women are to be the helpers.
We are also aware of human fallibility. Because every pastor or deacon or teacher will not lead perfectly, we give deference and respect when mistakes are made. Scripture admonishes believers not to accuse a leader unless the transgression is egregious and provable (1 Tim. 5:17-20), knowing that it’s likely we do not have the perspective or knowledge that a leadership position has. This is submitting to one another.
It is with these thoughts that we look into the passages dealing with women’s roles in the New Testament Church.