Today started like every other Sunday. Got up, got ready, ate breakfast, went to church, people came, greeted each other, service started, people came late...
Around a quarter till 12 something new happened. A lady with her two little boys walked in and sat down. (We also changed our clocks for daylight savings time last night, which explains why she was late)
After the service was over we started talking, come to find out she is a Brazilian Southern Baptist missionary to Spain. She doesn't speak Italian, but she does speak Portuguese, Spanish, and some English. Alessandra (Tamara's mom) speaks Spanish so the Brazilian lady and Alessandra were able to talk a bunch. After talking to her, we found out she'll be here for a month because she is getting her Italian documents. Her grandfather is Italian, so it's easier for her to get Italian documents instead of Spanish ones. (Once you can live in one EU country, you can basically live anywhere in the EU) Anyways, she said she's been to seminary. Her husband didn't feel called to be a missionary, but he still moved to Spain with her. He works a secular job and helps her with the music. He plays the guitar, and then she preaches. She was careful to call it a group not a church. Thus the discussion of should a woman teach a man? Is witnessing considered teaching?
We always seem to be lacking a few good men. In Fundie circles we are always so careful to make sure women are teaching women and children, but what about witnessing? I guess it would depend on your definition of teaching.
Comments? Thoughts? Questions? Answers?
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4 comments:
all a matter of definition. There is OT and NT precedent for 'teaching' and some would say as long as one isn't actually leading a church it's all good.
Then again others say the 'silence in a church' thing wasn't cultural but absolute (I heartily disagree) and women should only teach their kids, like Timothy's mom/grandma.
*sigh* interesting to think on . . .
I heartily disagree as well. In I Corinthians 11 there are women prophesying in the church. Obviously, words are necessary, and the Bible doesn't contradict itself, so I believe that women are allowed to speak in church. I see no problem with women directing Bible studies when there is no man who can to do it. Baby Christian men can't do it, and they most certainly can't be pastors. What are you supposed to do?
I was in Grosseto for a few days visiting some missionary friends, Frank and Jenny Maietta. Frank is Italian and his mom lives in the house below them. When Frank was in the States for high school and college, no one in Grosseto besides Frank's mom could lead a Bible study, so she would direct the Bible study. Everyone would say throw out ideas, and she would direct the conversation. I would love to tell Frank's mom's story. It's amazing, but it's not my story to tell.
Anyways, thanks for your thoughts!
Yeah, women can teach men a lot. As far as being a pastor, it's so much more than teaching. It is a responsibility for leadership of the church. That appears to be a man's job.
King Tiger,
For curiosity's sake, do I know you?
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