Ladies' Night.

Before you jump to conclusions and pass judgment please read the entire post.

"A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety." - 1 Timothy 2:11-15

Many churches approach women in ministry, leadership, etc. from a 'sit down and shut up' attitude based this passage of Scripture. I however do not. I think it is always wise to read a passage in the context of the entire counsel of Scripture. Scholars have debated this topic for centuries and good and Godly men have fallen on both sides of the fence. In my humble and accurate opinion you have to dismiss mountains of evidence throughout both the Old and New Testaments to relegate women to the corner of the Church. Where would Israel have been without Deborah? What if Esther had kept quiet? Don't forget that Moses' wife saved his life when the Lord had determined to kill him. Numerous women were involved in the ministry of Jesus. It was a woman who was the first witness of the resurrection and TOLD the apostles. Don't forget Priscilla & Aquila who ministered with Paul (Let me pause to say that it was extremely odd to list the wife before the husband because it is a sign of rank. Barnabas was always listed before Saul/Paul until he took the primary leadership roll in the ministry). In Acts 21 we learn that Stephen had 4 unmarried daughters who prophesied which only jives with what Jesus said in Acts 2:17 - "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."

That does not mean that men and women are the same (obviously we are plumbed AND wired differently). That does not mean that God has not established order in the home and the church (we are to submit to one another. So ladies let your voices be heard, let your God given gifts shine and let your lives lead the way in your family, your community and our church. It's time to stand up and speak out!

"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, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." - Galatians 3:26-29