Can a woman lead a song outside of worship?

Question:

Recently there was a funeral of one of our former members. It was held at their home. Our members preached the service, led songs, and one of the prayers. Then the family said that two ladies wanted to sing a song. They sang a song that we sing many times in worship. They asked the rest of us to sing along with the chorus. Many people there were not Christians.

Here are our questions: Is it scriptural for women to lead songs about God? Should we have sung with them?

Answer:

The focus of songs in the church is to teach and admonish each other.

  • "Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19).
  • "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16).

But a rule that Paul told us is: "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet" (I Timothy 2:12). Even though it is combined with music, songs are still a form of teaching and leading a song is exercising authority.

The funeral was not a worship service of the church, but the command given by Paul was not limited to just times of worship.

Christians cannot control what non-Christians do, but they can choose not to participate in things that are against God's law. For the same reason, I don't pray along with others when a woman is leading the prayer at some event, and I definitely don't say "amen" at the end.

Response:

Thank you for your quick response. This information is very helpful to us.

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