Quote:
Originally Posted by Evangelical
If there are no leaders then the discussion of female leadership is moot.
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Oh, guess you missed my point.
If a key mission of the church is a "hospital" where damaged sinners can recuperate (based on the parable of the Good Samaritan) and if one of the key ways in which people in the world are damaged are the various sins that kill families (fornication, addictions -- alcohol, gambling, drugs, pursuit of getting rich, etc.) then it stands to reason that part of the "treatment" to restore saints would be to help them have a healthy marriage life.
This hypothesis, that the church is concerned with healthy marriages, is supported by the fact that elders must exemplify a healthy marriage (husband of one wife, not a drunkard, good reputation, raise family well).
If the selection of elders with this goal in mind (setting up a healthy example of marriage to the flock as well as providing people who can counsel others) then it becomes obvious that the selection of an elder includes the selection of the elder's wife who must be able to teach the younger women.
My point is not that there is no leadership, but rather those chosen as examples to the flock are chosen as an example of a healthy marriage, hence male and female.
Since Paul requires these elder women to teach the younger it is perfectly reasonable to say that this includes the use of books, videos, TV, radio, blogs, etc. Hence there is no reason a sister could not have a prevailing ministry while having her head fully covered by the fellowship of the apostles.
Also, since women outnumber men in the church (2:1 or more) then it stands to reason that a ministry that ministers to sisters could be twice as impactful as that to men. Perhaps the reason that the NT requires men to fill certain roles is that if we didn't we might become completely insignificant in the church. Or as Paul said
"23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness."