Straight Talk Regarding Women In The Ministry

Eph 3:16-18- I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, and I pray that Jesus Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God's people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ's love. Evil can only prospers, when good men and women choose to do nothing.

Most of the time scripture is used by some people to stop women from following their calling in ministry, so scripture will be used on this page to confirm the rights of women to be chaplains and ministers.

All those who truly know me will say I am a very kind, giving and loving man of God. They will also tell you that there are a few things in this life that I will not tolerate. Bashing belittling or holding back anyone, Male,Female, black, white,brown or otherwise from their calling is at the top of my list. I will not debate or argue with anyone when it comes to the word and what it says about women in ministry. Furthermore I refuse to listen to those who will twist, turn, warp His word to fit their own beliefs or needs.

Could it be that this is why there is so much resentment in the church and ministry today? No one is any better than another, and no one has the right to put themselves above others. When we become more spiritual we learn these simple truths. When did the Lord give any mortal man the right to pass judgment as to who He can or can not call into His service?

Chaplain Fellowship Ministries has over 200 ordained and licensed women doing great work reaching out to the poor and the needy worldwide. Who better to work with abused women and children than a female chaplain, women in ministry as chaplains and ministers are serving a very important role in today's world. The following are just a few facts from the bible regarding the women who have played very important roles in the ministry and church all through history.

1. Deborah literally means "Bee," reminding us of her wisdom, how she liberally shared with her friends, and how her influence and authority were used by God to "sting" Israel's enemies. Her creative talents and leadership abilities set her apart. Deborah wrote songs and sang them, and she was a patriotic woman who judged and led Israel for 40 years. She should be by all rights be called the first female military commander and first female Supreme Court justice! The keys to Deborah's effectiveness were her spiritual commitment and walk with God, in fact she is called a prophetess. She demonstrates the possibilities for any woman today who will allow the Spirit of God to fill and form her life, developing her full capacities to shape the world around her.

2. The name "Huldah" is derived from the Hebrew root cheled, which means "to glide swiftly." Perhaps Huldah's name reflects her quickness of mind and her ability to swiftly and rightly discern the things of God. In any case, this woman was used by God in history to voice His judgment and His prophecy, and to spark one of the greatest national revivals in history. Hilkiah the high priest and Shaphan the scribe sought out Huldah for God's word of wisdom. She had the complete respect and confidence of all these men, a lesson in the truth spiritual influence flows from a spiritual lifestyle, not merely from the presence of spiritual gifts.

3. Esther was a Jewish orphan, raised by her cousin, Mordecai. God opens destiny to any person who will keep His priorities. Even in the presence of success and wealth Esther retained her sense of perspective and integrity. She showed courage and obedience when she was faced with death! She had great respect for the power of prayer. She recognized the reality of the Holy Spirit. She was steadfast and willing to lay down her own life for others.

4. Acts 21:9 - This reference to Philip's daughter's each exercising the gifts of prophecy makes it very clear that women did bring God's word by the power of the Holy Spirit and such ministry was fully accepted in the early church.

5. Peter's prophetic sermon at Pentecost affirmed the Old Testament promise was now to be realized: "your daughters" and "maidservants" would now share fully and equally with men in realizing the anointing, fullness, and ministry of the Holy Spirit, making them effective in witness and service for the spread of the gospel.

6. Though the place of men seems more pronounced in the number who filled leadership roles, there does not appear to be any direct restriction of privilege when it comes to women in the ministry. In fact the method of designation suggests they were the appointed leaders in their respective fellowships. How can there be any doubt that women did speak, preach and prophesy in the early church. 1 Timothy 2:8-15

7. Women did financially support Jesus in his ministry Luke 8:2,3 - and figured prominently in the establishment of churches of Thessalonica, Acts 17:4 - and Berea (v. 12). The early church was also blessed with prophetesses, Acts 2:17; 21:9 - who spoke the word of the Lord. The first recorded convert of Paul's European mission was a woman named Lydia, Acts 16:13,14 - and the baptism of her household marked the beginning of the Philippian church (v. 15).

8. Paul later wrote the Following: Phi 4:2 - I encourage both Euodia and Syntyche to have the attitude the Lord wants them to have. Phi 4:3 - Yes, I also ask you, Syzugus, my true partner, to help these women. They fought beside me to spread the Good News along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the Book of Life. These women not only assisted Paul; they ministered right at his side in an apparently equal capacity. Other women commended by Paul for their ministries include Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, and Rufus' mother, Rom. 16:6,12,13.

9. A more prominent role in the early church was played by Priscilla. Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, was involved with evangelism and teaching Acts 18:2,24-26 - and even led churches in Rome, Rom. 16:3,4 - and Ephesus, 1 Cor. 16:19. Similarly, Nympha led a church in Laodicea, Col. 4:15. There are the two other women described in Romans 16 who clearly ministered in leadership roles. wife."Reference 6

10. "Phoebe" means "Pure or Radiant." Paul calls her not only a servant of the church, but a helper of many. Other versions translate the word "servant" as "deaconess." Still others have called her "minister" in other scriptures where the Greek word diakoneo is use; it is translated "minister" or deacon (diakonon) of the congregation of Cenchrea. Romans 16:2 provides more information about Phoebe: Paul calls her "a patroness (prostatis)." Bible translations render this term "servant," "friend," or "helper." This is appropriate since leadership roles in the church are roles of service.

11. According to many scholars it was Phoebe who carried the written book of Romans to the congregation. This is consonant to Psalm 68:11, which declares the place of women in the spread of God's Word: "The Lord gave the word; great was the company or host of women . Who proclaimed it." The inserted words are justified by the Hebrew, most translators acknowledge this.

We have heard all the arguments, but the truth is, God welcomes all, race, gender or education does not matter, In His eyes everyone of us are precious, He has placed in every life a sacred and unbeatable purpose. Let's get real and stop listening to those who tear us down instead of lifting us up. Let us never forget that when we are attacked, we are being blessed for His name sake. Pray for those who attack you, the Lord will increase your blessings. Those who are truly called by God will never attack anyone, male or female, they will reach out with love, mercy, compassion, mercy and understanding and offering to help them in their ministry any way they can. We have a mighty work in the Lord to be done and it will take all of us. We could go on and on regarding women in ministry, past and present.

Chaplain Fellowship is recruiting women who will stand up for what is right, and not let anyone stop them from doing the Lord's work. Those who may try to put you down or say you are not good enough are the very ones who turn the poor and needy away from the doors of God's house in their time of need. The Lord will take care of them for their arrogance, attitude and mistreatment of the needy, their lives are nothing more than a lie they are living, pray for them and ask God to have mercy and pity on them. In all reality you should not waste your time with such people, brush the dust off your feet and walk away, put it in the Lord's hands, I can assure you He can handle it. Chaplain Fellowship has over 200 female chaplains!

Titus 3:9 - Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. (NLT) "We must learn to understand scripture as it is written in the spirit", pray for wisdom and guidance.

James 2:13- No mercy will be shown to those who show no mercy to others. Mercy triumphs over judgment. The scriptures are clear Friends. If we see someone in need and have the ability to help them and don't, how can we say that the love of Jesus abides in us? Chaplains are more service oriented than religious in nature. We are men and women that do not just talk, we reach out to a special group of people who normally are not touched by their local churches. We go out into the world seeking those who are lost and suffering rather than waiting for them to come to us. Chaplain Fellowship will help feed the poor, care for the needy and the aging, when possible get them the medical help they need when they are sick. God bless you! And thank you. Chaplain Gibson

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