by
The Rev. Aida Melendez Diego
The purpose of this title is to explain the role of women in ministry, as I
see it from my personal point of view, which is as follows:
We live a distressing historical moment: human beings are divided, more than
ever. Principles, morals, behavior, values and traditions are trampled by
liberalism and selfishness; human life is worthless to many, regardless of
whether that life is yet unborn or very old; relationships are in a
bottomless pit; the fast paced technology of the times has chewed up into
almost every household core and is sitting there, ‘mastering” entire
families, out of proportion. ‘A Power Struggle” is going on in every
workplace, in every organization, in the government, even in the Church. The
unjustifiable and the aberrations are strongly fought for and coerced into
existence. The ‘Truth of God” is being silenced or ‘adapted” to suit the
likes and dislikes of people who refuse to be told the Good News, or are
afraid to realize that they are wrong.
One of the divisive issues dividing our churches these days is the presence
of women in the ministerial capacity, which stimulates heated controversy,
not only among men ministers, but among laity, both men and women as well.
It is one of those issues, in which humans are not yet fully clear or fully
ready to accept freely or comfortably. It is one of the many issues and
situations in which women have been ignored or postponed through centuries
of misinterpretation and intentional or unintentional misapplication of
God’s original plans and purpose for both men and women at Creation.
For centuries the role of a priest or a minister of the word and sacraments
was one of the _’exclusive privileges” _just for men. (Still prevalent in
the Roman catholic church, some evangelical denominations and sects, in the
eastern orthodox churches, and some non-Christian religions).
Talking or writing about this topic is not an easy task to undertake without
touching on the relational behavior between man and woman since Creation,
which is characterized by a myriad of feelings and actions, hurt, damage and
behavior extremes to this day, as we all know.
A famous advertising slogan states: _’You have come a long way baby”._ We
all know that it refers to one of woman’s so called _’emancipation
victories”_,(smoking in public for instance), and it depicts a young,
beautiful and slender woman, first dressed in the 1920’s fashion and then in
a skimpy bikini swimsuit.
That type of declaration which intends to represent woman’s achievements in
_’man’s”_ society, is offensive and diminishing of our role and personality
as planned and purposed by God, and clearly stated in Genesis 1:27, 28,
which reads as follows:
*’So God created man in his own image. In the image of God He created him;
male and female He created them. And God blessed them; and God said to them,
‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over
the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living
thing that moves on the earth.”*
God created man and woman to be ‘equal” under Him, in His own image, with
neither having dominion over the other.
After Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s commandments to them, He cursed them and
set the man over the woman. In Genesis 3:16 He said to the woman: *’Yet your
desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”*
This established the relationship mode between a woman and her husband,
which was grossly misconstrued by men generation after generation, and
placed woman, not in a subordinate status of hierarchy to a husband or a
father, with no change in her human rights as originally purposed, but in an
obscure and unaccountable position of servitude, ignorance and abuse,
considered as a piece of property at the expense and whims of her ‘master”,
being him her husband, father or any other male authority with a stronghold
over her.
This misinterpretation of God’s words and plan have been carried on through
centuries into our days and throughout many so called ‘third world”
countries. Even in some of our most modern cultures and civilizations,
remainders of such gruesome system and way of life, still affects the way in
which men and women communicate, or should we say ‘non-communicate”, since
there is only ‘one way” communication in an abusive relationship; ‘the
abuser’s”.
There is hope though; things have changed drastically in the past 50 years,
and continue to do so, in spite of extremists and self-indulgent
opportunistic movements and organizations who, under a disguise of
_’concern”_, confuse rightful issues of civil, human and spiritual rights,
and prey on the ignorance, the pain and the suffering of entire groups of
the ‘so called” minorities, which include ethnical and cultural
differences, races, men and women, causing even more hurt, damage, isolation
and separation.
Opportunities and possibilities for the woman of today are open and
available. Although there are still barriers and misconceptions, most of
which debatable and negotiable. I do not believe in impossibilities, as long
as there is a line of communication and goodwill from all concerned. Even if
goodwill is not a part of initial negotiations, (_we are living very
difficult times in which the character and values as contained in the Ten
Commandments are being questioned, trampled and ignored by a large number of
human beings_), faith, logic, honesty, principles and ethics must become
active components of the formula in order to set it in motion. Eventually,
goodwill will develop, therefore, propitiating acceptance, amendments and
restitution.
Beware though from *anger, frustration, hate and resentment*; they do not
belong in any negotiation or communication, nor in any peace treaty. Peace
and Harmony are what we strive for between ‘Adam and Eve”.
It is unfortunate though, that: _anger, frustration, hate and resentment are
the main characteristics of all movements, ie: racial/ethnic or cultural
discrimination, feminism, machismo, nazism, etc._, which undermine, obstruct
and deter the attempts to establish healthy, peaceful, positive
communication and understanding among people. Sadly, they are also, today’s
most common denominator in the proposed relationship and achievements of
human beings.
If only each of us, very consciously, would decide to let go of those
horrible negatives by allowing the past to be the past, and use it as a
learning tool and experience, to work in establishing a better present and
future, ‘Adam and Eve” from any race and culture, would finally achieve
peace and happiness. We would begin to accept each other for what they are:
‘God’s *equal* creation to complement each other as individuals and
partners, in love and understanding of each other.”
It is through the struggles, sacrifice, unselfishness, humility, hard work
and education efforts of known and unknown women from all times, that we,
woman of today are able to be who we are. Thanks be to God for them. The
Holy Scriptures account for almost 200 named women and almost the same
number who are unnamed. History accounts for named hundreds, and unnamed
thousands of great women who personally contributed to freedom, education,
philosophy, science and faith in God, and even gave their lives, alongside
with great men that understood their plight and value, and recognized their
role in the schematic plan of God for ‘Adam and Eve”: *’equal opportunity”
and ‘justice” for all.*
+ + +
An in-depth study of God’s word reveals the following points:
1. *GOD* does ordain women to all of the gift ministries and
deaconships.
2. *GOD* has used holy women as spiritual leaders throughout the ages.
3. The Word of *GOD* confirms the validity of the position of woman
called of Him to be His apostle, prophet, pastor, evangelist and
teacher.
The confirmation of God’s word on this subject is stated in Galatians
3:26-28, as follows:
*’For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you
who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is
neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither
male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”*
God has commanded every Christian to: *’Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling
accurately the Word of Truth.”* (II Timothy 2:15)
The subject of women in ministry should not be based on assumptions about
the writings of Paul, or taking liberties with God’s Word; rather it
requires careful and responsible study, and willingness to be taught by His
Word, through prayer and the confirmation of The Holy Spirit. (Also, this
work should be submitted to prayer and confirmation of The Holy Spirit as it
is read).
Going back to Genesis 3:16 discussed before, God said to Eve: *’thy desire
shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee,”* let’s take a
positive look at God’s intentions and not to man’s misinterpretations.
The established relationship between man and woman, is later clarified and
confirmed in the New Testament in Ephesians 5:22-33 (of which we quote
verses 32 and 33): *’This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference
to Christ and the Church. Nevertheless let each individual among you also
love his own wife as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect
her husband.”*
If the relationship of Christ and the Church is similar to that of the
marriage between man and woman as stated above, then we must realize and
come to the conclusion that God’s intentions in the Garden of Eden was not
to disgrace woman by degrading her to the condition of beast or property,
but to unite them in the flesh to complement each other, therefore
establishing the order of the family, whereby man is the head of the family,
as Christ is the head of the church.
What is intended is that for order to exist, there must be a good
relationship of love, trust, honor and respect between a man and a woman,
like that of Christ and His Church. It is then understood that a married
woman, dependant on man’s approval and consent in her behalf, to enter the
ministry, for example, must seek permission and support of her husband, to
enjoy together the blessings and fruits of her calling; just as if she is
young single, and her father is still living and responsible for her,
(Numbers 30:1-16*) in relation and compliance of ‘The Law of Vows”, as
commanded by God to Moses in the Old Testament.
*It is curious though, that ‘The Law of Vows” as stated in this passage of
the Holy Scripture, in verse 16 which reads: *’These are the statutes which
The Lord commanded Moses, as between a man and his wife, and as between a
father and his daughter, while she is’ in her youth in her father’s
house”*, does not speak to a never married single woman, beyond her youth
years, an orphan.or not.” Could we construe by this that as a ‘single
adult, never married”, her subordination would only be to God, accountable
only to Him, abiding only in His Will under His law and commandments? I will
risk a ‘yes”; since she is only subordinated to Him.
It is important to point out, that God being the one Who ‘Calls”, will Call
women or men to ministry, and provide the way and means to attain it. If the
woman is married or still young in her father’s household, or if she is an
emancipated single adult, He will incline everyone’s hearts in order to
fulfill the Call. There is no doubt about; I am a living proof. +++
The first example is precisely God’s choice of a ‘single adult, never
married” woman as a significant leader and minister: Miriam, the sister of
Moses and Aaron. Exodus 15:20-21 refers to her as a prophetess singing
praises unto the Lord after having crossed the Red Sea in their escape from
Egypt. Micah 6:4 confirms her as a principal leader of the Israelites, as
follows: *’Indeed, I brought you up from the land of Egypt, and ransomed you
from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron and Miriam.”*
‘Prophetess” is translated from the Hebrew word ‘Nebiah”, which means
‘female preacher”. It is clear that Miriam was ordained a minister and
leader by God and placed before His people as such.
Another important one is Deborah; the fifth in the succession of Judges that
presided over Israel. Judges 4:4 states that Deborah, a prophetess (Nebiah),
judged Israel during the reign of King Jabin, a Canaanite who oppressed
Israel. The book of Judges tells us that after the death of Joshua, the
children of Israel repeatedly fell into sin, idolatry and the resultant
oppression of pagan peoples Judges 2:16, 18 read: *”‘Then the Lord raised up
judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them And
when the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge and
delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge”.*
The judges of Israel had distinctly pastoral responsibilities; their role
consistent with the purpose given in Ephesians 4:11, 12 for the ordaining of
ministers in the Church:
*’And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as
evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers; for the equipping of the
saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of
Christ.”*. The responsibility of the Judges was the perfecting of God’s
people in exactly the same way.
Deborah was a married woman, and the Scripture does not account for any
children of her own. The children of Israel came to her for judgement, and
she defended them from King Jabin and his 900 iron chariots under the
command of Sisera, carrying out the Will of God according to His divine
revelation to her as His prophetess. In Judges 4:6,7 she designated Barak as
the leader of the army, and told him the size of the army and from where to
recruit the warriors, where to engage the enemy in battle, and led them to
victory as promised by God.
Deborah’s experience is a very clear example of God’s use of a holy and
obedient woman as a total leader of His people. The following are highlights
of her status and character that should be noted:
1. As a married woman and one obedient to God, she must have honored His
commandment in her role as a wife. Most probably she had her husband’s
support in her responsibility as a judge of Israel.
2. She was anointed of God _of the judges of Israel, only she and Samuel
are expressly referred to as prophets”_. Numbers 11:25 reveals that the
prophetic gift is of the _’Spirit of The Lord_” and is like the
anointing of Moses.
3. She was a woman of truly feminine qualities like other leaders in the
Bible, she composed a song of praises to God after the victory over
Jabin’s army. Judges 5 records the Song, and in verse 7 she describes
herself ‘a mother” in Israel.
Another example of God’s using a woman to spiritually enlighten His people
is Huldah, known as: ‘the Woman Who Unveiled the Future of a Nation”.
Huldah lived and ministered during King Josiah’s reign and ranks with
Deborah and Miriam. During her ministry, the lost book of the law was found
in the Temple by Hilkiah the high priest, and Josiah sent for Huldah instead
of Jeremiah, to attest to the genuineness of the scroll, and prophesied
national ruin because of disobedience to the commands of God. The result of
her reading the book in public and her prophetic message brought about a
revival which resulted in the reforms carried out by Josiah and king and
people vowed to follow the God of their fathers faithfully. Her story is
found in II Kings 22:14-20 and II Chronicles 34:22-33. She was a married
woman and a distinguished minister of God who possessed a high level of
knowledge concerning Him.
+ + +
Looking for women ministers and prophetesses in the New Testament, we find
ANNA, and she is the first Christian Missionary. Anna was, with Simeon in
the Temple of Jerusalem when Mary and Joseph brought Baby Jesus to be
presented to The Lord. Anna was a prophetess who believed the O. T.
prophesies about The Messiah, and waited for Him incessantly. When she saw
Jesus, she knew it was Him, and after praising and worshipping went out to
spread the Good News. She became the first female herald of the Incarnation
to all who looked for the Redeemer in Jerusalem.
We go on, and Lydia of Thyatira comes to mind, a truly devoted Christian,
who gave all she had and produced in the service of The Lord; and Phebe who
Paul identified as a minister of the Church in Cenchrea and a great person,
so great in her Christianity and service that Paul urged the believers in
Rome to ‘receive her in The Lord, as becometh saints. Priscilla (the
diminutive of Prisca), very close and good friends of Paul, and tentmakers
likewise. Aquila, Priscilla’s husband and herself were of strong faith
committed Christians, who served The Lord with their entire lives and
strength. They shared a profound knowledge of Scripture and were one in the
service of the Church. Paul mentions two deaconesses in the Philippian
Church, Euodias and Syntyche, and so the list goes on of women who not only
accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but that served Him and His
Church with love, enthusiasm and all they had and were.
To any thoughtful person, it is obvious that a woman’s relationship to God
is not dependent upon any man. The position of the woman preacher or pastor,
prophet, teacher, apostle or evangelist is substantiated in the Scriptures.
However, it is more clearly substantiated by the many anointed women of God
who are rightly spreading His word and effecting the great commission *of
going into all the world and preaching the gospe*l to every creature.
This was begun by the prophetess Anna, at Jesus’ circumcision, as mentioned
before. Luke 2:38 reads: *’and she coming in that instant, gave thanks
likewise unto The Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for
redemption in Jerusalem.” *It is very significant that at Jesus’ dedication
two people prophesied over Him; one a man, the other a woman. This woman is
the first person recorded in Scripture to preach redemption through Christ.
Women are continuing to do this today, and the fact that they are effective
and blessed in their work, attest to their validity.
In our concern for furthering the Kingdom of God, and doing what Jesus told
us to do, we must not be dismayed and distracted by fruitless debates about
the ministry of women and their preaching, be it in English or Spanish, or
in any other language or cultural background. It is the Spirit of God who
compels us to be obedient to His Call, then surrender and submit to Him, and
it is the same Spirit who moves the Churches and the hearts within them to
accept His Will. Please remember the following:
*’Therefore if anyone is in Christ, new creation is; the old things passed
away; behold, new things have come.” II Cor. 5:17*
*’That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the
Spirit is Spirit.” John 3:6*
*’I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh: and your sons and daughters will
prophesy; Your old men will dream dreams, and Your young men will see
visions” Joel 2:28*
*’God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in
Truth.” John 4:24*
____________
NOTE: I oppose injustice and abuse of any kind. Discrimination is a word
that I would erase from our vocabulary, and it is wrong without exceptions.
Atrocities have been committed throughout the history of the world in The
Name of God. Wars have been waged and millions have been killed and murdered
because of the misconception of the *’right to be right”,* and that is
wrong, without exceptions.
As human beings, we were endowed by God at creation with our so manipulated
and abused *’free will”*. It is my believe that the best use for this
endowment is to use it to *’CHOOSE”*: 1) to will our personal surrender and
submission to His Will”, and really trust in Him in everything as Proverbs
3:5 & 6 commands us to do: *’Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and do
not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He
will make your paths straight”*, and 2) to will ourselves not to HATE, but
to LOVE regardless of the circumstances and situations, because He has
promised to: *’Never leave us or forsake us”.*
________________________________
A Hispanic (Cuban/American) woman, the Rev. Aida Melendez Diego is an
ordained Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church
(USA).