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**EDWARD D. ANDREWS** (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 200+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

In 2010, a Catholic woman expressed her amazement and frustration in a USA Today letter that nothing has changed with regard to the ordination of women. This sentiment is shared by many, considering that women are allowed to serve as ministers, priests, bishops, and rabbis in other religions.

Throughout Church history, women have played important roles in ministry, but there has been ongoing controversy surrounding their involvement. Some argue that the Bible forbids women from being ministers, while others maintain that it allows for women to preach from the pulpit. However, neither of these claims align with what the Bible actually teaches. To understand why we must examine the meaning of the term “minister” as used in the Scriptures.

First-Century Ministers

What is your interpretation of the term “minister”? While commonly associated with religious leaders overseeing congregations, the Bible broadly applies the word. For example, Phoebe, a Christian woman, is referred to as a “minister” by the apostle Paul in Romans 16:1.

Can you envision Phoebe leading a religious ceremony in front of the congregation of Cenchreae? What role did Phoebe serve within the church? In his letter to the Philippians, Paul mentions specific women who aided in spreading the Gospel alongside him.

In the first century, Christians mainly spread their message by talking about it publicly and in people’s homes. The people who did this kind of work were considered to be ministers, and women like Priscilla were among them. Priscilla and her husband taught a man who believed in God but hadn’t become a Christian yet. She was an effective minister, just like many other women in that time.

A Dignified Role

Did the men in charge relegate the public ministry to women as a menial task? This was not the case, for two reasons. Firstly, the Bible clarifies that all Christians, including men with important responsibilities, were to participate in the public ministry (Luke 9:1, 2). Secondly, the public ministry has always been the principal way for both men and women to fulfill Jesus’ instruction to “make disciples of all the nations and teach them.” (Matthew 28:19, 20).

In the congregation, mature women have an important role as teachers of what is good according to Paul’s writing. Their duty is to guide younger and less experienced women to become mature and responsible by showing them how to love their husbands and children. This is a crucial responsibility that requires dignity and weight.

Teaching in the Congregation

The Bible does not instruct women to speak before the congregation and teach. Instead, the apostle Paul instructed them to refrain from speaking during meetings. One reason for this is to ensure that the meetings are conducted properly and orderly. God has designated the role of teaching to a certain group to ensure the congregation’s smooth operation. It’s important to note that being male alone does not qualify someone for a position of leadership within the congregation; rather, it’s only granted to men who meet certain qualifications as outlined in the books of 1 Timothy and Titus.

The authority of men in the congregation is limited, and they must act in accordance with Biblical principles. In fact, they are subject to Christ and are expected to display a cooperative spirit and exhibit humility, just like everyone else in positions of responsibility. This is emphasized in 1 Corinthians 11:3 and Ephesians 5:21.

Can the role assigned to women by God be considered belittling or degrading? According to Psalm 68:11, God ordains women to the noble task of bearing witness about Him publicly. In fact, many women who serve as ministers have helped countless people achieve repentance and salvation, as seen in Acts 2:21 and 2 Peter 3:9. Therefore, it is clear that this role is far from insignificant!

Creating a peaceful environment that honors both men and women is important. In the same way that our eyes and ears work together to help people cross a busy street, men and women can work together to accomplish God’s will through their assigned roles. This brings blessings and peace to the congregation, as stated in the Bible at 1 Corinthians 14:33 and Philippians 4:9.

The Bible encourages Christian women to cover their head as a sign of their respect for the role of men in the congregation. By doing so, they also serve as a positive example to the angels in heaven, according to 1 Corinthians 11:10.