4/7/08

Practical Questions Regarding Women In Ministry

The following are a few practical questions about women in ministry. Some of which I've never given specific thought, others are just a little controversial. You can find the full list at the blog, Semper Reformanda. It helps to think about the spectrum of what is definitely not permissible to what is permissible in churches. I'd love to hear what you think!
Are you on board with a woman:
  1. Being the president of a denomination?
  2. Being a member of the governing board of a denomination?
  3. Teaching/preaching/speaking at a national denominational meeting?
  4. Praying at a national denominational meeting?
  5. Presiding over the Lord's Supper?
  6. Distributing the elements of the Lord's Supper?
  7. Administering baptism to a woman in the church service
  8. Administering baptism to a man in the church service?
  9. Administering baptism to her daughter in the church service?
  10. Administering baptism to her eight-year-old son in the church service?
  11. Administering baptism to her seventeen-year-old son in the church service?
  12. Being the minister of music who chooses and leads the congregational singing?
  13. Singing a duet with a man not her husband during the worship service?
  14. Member of a governing board that operates as an elder board for a congregation?
  15. Speaking/preaching/teaching during the "sermon time" on occasion under supervision of elders and senior pastor?
  16. Performing a baby dedication during service (assuming on staff)?
  17. Moderating a congregational business meeting?
  18. Being the department head over male professors at a seminary or Bible college?
  19. Teaching Bible or theology in a theological seminary to a mixed class?
  20. Teaching Greek or Hebrew in a theological seminary to a mixed class?
  21. Teaching Greek or Hebrew in a Bible college?
  22. Teaching counseling to a mixed group in a theological seminary?
  23. Being the teacher of a mixed class in a Christian high school teaching Bible?
  24. Being the teacher of a mixed adult Sunday school class?
  25. Being the teacher of a mixed Senior High (ages 15-18ish) SS class?
  26. Being the teacher of a mixed Junior High (ages 13-14ish) SS class?
  27. Being the teacher of a mixed Elementary (ages 5-12) SS class?
  28. Being the leader of a kids program (e.g., AWANA) that has male leaders?
  29. Organizing VBS (assuming mixed teachers)?
  30. Teaching on occasion in a mixed adult SS class, under supervision of male teacher?
  31. Giving her testimony in the congregational worship service?
  32. Giving her testimony in the mixed adult Sunday school class?
  33. Writing a book on theology (not specifically designated for women)?
  34. Writing a commentary on a Bible book as part of a series with a male editor?
  35. Writing or editing a study Bible?
  36. Contributing notes for study Bible with a male general editor?
  37. Leading a translation team for a Bible version?
  38. Editing or writing a Bible or theological dictionary?
  39. Speaking/preaching evangelistically to an intended mixed group of non-Christians?
  40. Evangelizing a man in a random personal encounter encompassing the two of them?
  41. Reading Scripture aloud to the congregation on a Sunday morning?
  42. Reading Scripture to the Sunday school class or Bible study?
  43. Praying among a mixed group at a congregational prayer meeting?
  44. Reading Scripture among a mixed group at a congregational prayer meeting?
  45. Participating in the congregational Scripture reading during the worship service?
  46. Giving the announcements (regularly) to start the worship service?

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