Women In Ministry

[Lil Red]

Hey I just saw this and I don't know quite what to think of it. Youth Specialities

Can ppl like ironmonk and cmom and dave read it and let me know what you think? I know it's just a christian site, but it sounds like it's arguing for women priests and stuff. Can you help me disprove?

Jesus chooses 12 male disciples. If he wants women in leadership, it's argued, why doesn't he have a female apostle or two? He flouts many of the culture's conventions; so surely he could've included a woman, even though it would've been beyond radical at the time. Should we conclude, then, that all church leaders should be male? Some suggest that Jesus is choosing 12 new patriarchs—paralleling the 12 sons of Jacob—to establish a new Israel, and that he was symbolizing a new, inclusive people of God.

Only these 12 men take part in the Last Supper, but no one (one would hope) would exclude women from taking part in communion on that basis. Jesus didn't include any Gentiles among the apostles (although he did minister to them), but that doesn't mean Gentiles were excluded from the early church membership or leadership. Remember, Peter has to be persuaded in a dramatic way that the gospel is for Gentiles as well, and later has to defend his actions to others (Acts 10 and 11).

I long for the day when gender won't be an issue, when no one will hear, "you can't do that—you're a woman," when it'll no longer be assumed that just because a man is male he automatically has leadership skills and authority. I long for the day when gender becomes unimportant to the church, when we're able to work in the partnership and complementary nature that God intended, and when what qualifies a person for a job is her gifts and calling, not her gender.

[Lil Red]

It seems to be attacking Catholicism:

2. Wrestle with theology. Many people can't explain their theological positions; they've just absorbed them from families and early churches. We must continually refine our views through study, discussion, and prayer. It can be threatening to rethink something held dear, but it can also be liberating. Regardless, we need to have the proper attitude to those who differ on this issue so we can still work together.

[Paladin D]

That article was written by a woman. What do you expect?

[Dave]

If Jesus had meant for women to be ordained, He would've included some as His 12 apostles. Many argue that Jesus was bound by the social rules of His day; however, He broke other such rules! Besides, if He did exclude women based on the culture's social rules, He would've been guilty of the sin of sexism. Well, we know Jesus never sinned.

Now, the site in question apparently isn't Catholic. Protestants don't have the Mass or the Real Presence of Christ. The priest who presides and who consecrates the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is acting "in persona Christi" -- as another Christ. Christ was male, and so it only makes sense that males be ordained. Besides, Christ is the Bridegroom, and the Church is His Bride. If only men can truly represent the Bridegroom, then only women can truly represent the Bride. I mean, who ever heard of a male bride or a female bridegroom?

So in conclusion, Jessica, these Protestants' arguments are irrelevant, as they don't have the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

[McSockPuppet]

I think whoever wrote this is looking at it the wrong way.

It's not that we believe that men are more important, but

rather men, and woman, are called to different things.

Look at Mother Thersea. She was as involved, if not more

then most priests. It goes to show you that woman can do

amazing things, without being an ordained priest.

[cmotherofpirl]

Hey I just saw this and I don't know quite what to think of it.  Youth Specialities

Can ppl like ironmonk and cmom and dave read it and let me know what you think?  I know it's just a christian site, but it sounds like it's arguing for women priests and stuff.  Can you help me disprove?

Should we conclude all Church leaders should be male:

Yes.

God is referred to as Father.

He made Adam before he made Eve. (WE could argue he was just practicing, but thats a different post)

He chose Abram, Isaac, Joseph, Moses, Joshua etc as leaders of his people. He excluded everybody else.

He sent his Son to redeem us.

Jesus chose 12 male followers (Apostles) to lead his Church ( in the tradition of the 12 twelve tribes of Israel). He excluded everybody else.

THe Apostles following Church teaching, ordained males as priests, Bishops, Pope.

Sounds male to me.

So what.

As a woman I have an equal soul, equal dignity, and equal standing before God.

I have an equal chance to be a SAint or a sinner.

What else matters?

And the bottom line is it took a woman to bring Jesus into the world.

wHat is a Pope, bishop or priest compared to that?

[Lil Red]

Thanks everyone so far!

He made Adam before he made Eve. (WE could argue he was just practicing, but thats a different post)

And the bottom line is it took a woman to bring Jesus into the world.

wHat is a Pope, bishop or priest compared to that?

Amen to that.

[vianney]

And the bottom line is it took a woman to bring Jesus into the world.

I think that is one of the cooliest things I have ever heard. Very cool way to put that cm.