Are the Same Roles Needed to Have the Same Value?
by Kyle Ellison
Fox News reported this week that women are now the largest demographic that is abandoning the church in The United States. Honestly, when it vaguely asked me to guess who was leaving at the highest rates, this wasn’t the answer that came to my mind, but then I began to question why this might be.
One woman was interviewed and said the following as to why this trend has emerged…
“Women are less inclined to be involved with churches that don’t want us speaking up, that don’t want us to be smart," Mojica Rodríguez, the daughter of a pastor who was raised attending church frequently, said, according to AOL.com.”
Let me just say that this made me sad. It makes me sad that this woman felt this way, but it also makes me sad that someone made her feel this way.
Let’s state two important truths upfront:
- God has different roles for the sexes.
- There are things women do that men may not and things men do that women may not.
I reject the idea that God or the apostles were sexist, male-dominant, or against women. Still, I believe we have failed in some ways in helping women see their intricate value before God and their absolute necessity to the well far for God’s church. If you are a woman who is a Christian, let me say that you are to be valued, you are to be used in Christ’s body as a fellow servant and laborer, you are not second class, and I do want you to be very smart in so many ways.
- Paul praised women and their contributions to his ministry (Romans 16).
- Paul praised Timothy's mother and grandmother, who instilled faith in him.
- God used women extensively, such as Rahab, Pharoah’s daughter who raised Moses, Ruth and Naomi, Phoebe, and others.
Nevertheless, I do worry that there are some things that we cannot compromise on when it comes to the sexes: Women may not serve as pastors or bishops in a New Testament church, and women may not usurp authority through preaching and teaching in the assembly. Though I do not have the space and time to unpack this, let me say that Satan has deceived people into thinking that the same role equals the same value, and that is the lie.
I am not a pastor or elder. Why? According to God's Word, I am unable to at this time. Does this make me less valuable? There are wonderful works women do that I cannot.
Hear me well! The same roles are not equivalent to the same value.
God loves, uses, lifts up, and thinks highly of women. May we always be sure to do the same in the church of the Living God.
