Who is a Minister? Part 3

My third letter to my church about women in pastoral ministry

Dear Readers,

This is my third letter entering the hornets’ nest of advocating (at least in written word) for women in pastoral ministry. I write this knowing there will be readers who will disagree with me, or think my arguments do not hold muster. That is ok. I pray though that your mind and heart would be open as we seek to follow Jesus together.

August 2, 2023

Dear CBC Family,

The last couple of weeks I have outlined the beginnings of a case for women in ministry, including preaching and pastoral ministry. The first week was based on my interactions and experiences with women speaking God’s Word over me as well as observing how talented women serve God’s Kingdom and God’s church in a variety of different ways, including ways that are usually considered pastoral. Last week I began a Biblical case for women in ministry, starting with the positive examples in the Bible before tackling the texts that are usually used to bar women from seeking pastoral ministry. I am going to continue in the tradition of positive examples of women functioning in pastoral roles from the Bible.

One of the objections that some use against whether women are supposed to be in pastoral leadership is why did Jesus not bring on a woman as a disciple? Great question, and one that I heard Dr. Ruth Ann Foster (former Truett professor who is in glory now) say she would ask Jesus in Heaven. While it is true a woman was not part of the twelve, a woman did bless Jesus in the Temple (the prophetess Anna), women supported his ministry financially, the women did not abandon Jesus on the cross, and it was women who first proclaimed that Jesus rose from the dead. In fact Luke points out that the men did not believe the women! Jesus’ first appearance after he rose from the dead was to Mary, who thought he was the gardener. The Gospels and the proclamation of the gospel in the Gospels would be incomplete without women.

Next, let me introduce you to Phoebe. We meet her in Romans 16:1. She is in some translations called a “servant” of the church in Cenchreae. Here is the problem with that – the word is “deaconess.” Deacon for sure means servant. Yet to place deacon with the name of a church after it implies a leadership/ministry position held by Phoebe. Not only that she was “commended” by Paul and was asked to be received by the Roman churches. What does that mean? In the ancient world for official letters there would be a letter courier who would not only carry the letter, but would also be expected to read the letter publicly. In other words, the first reading in a church setting of the letter to the Romans was performed by Phoebe. If there were questions about the letter (and certainly there had to be as we have been debating the message of Romans for 2000 years now), Phoebe would have answered them.

Also in Romans 16, we meet Junia. Some older translations have the name as “Junias.” The only problem with that is that the name Junias has been found nowhere else in the Roman world. The name was changed because of what was said about Junia that she, along with her husband, is “distinguished among the apostles.” Could it be that the earliest church considered Junia an apostle, meaning that she was sent out to spread the message of Jesus Christ? It certainly seems that Paul did.

Again, staying in Romans 16, we find the missionary couple Priscilla and Aquila. We meet these two in Acts and in the Corinthian letters as well. They mentored Apollos and had a relationship with Paul. Each time they are mentioned, Priscilla is always mentioned first. That is unheard of in the ancient, patriarchal world. What can we infer? Well, at the least she was a well-respected Christian. At most, perhaps she was the lead missionary of the partnership? Paul calls Priscilla his “co-worker.” Pretty high praise.

Next week I will begin tackling the passages used to keep women out of the pulpit and other areas of pastoral ministry. Note that I think people who want to keep women out of pulpits are trying to be biblically faithful and follow Jesus as best as they can. I am too, and I pray that all of us will find common ground and ways to partner within the Kingdom of God.

Grace and Peace,

Ray P. Miller, DMIN

Pastor, CBC Nashville