Oh, this topic will certainly stir things up! Some people can get really touchy over this issue. It’s where cultures and church dogma often clash. Many of today’s naysayers automatically refer to 1 Corinthians 14:34-35: “Women should be silent during church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.”

Let’s dig a little deeper and consider the culture of that community. Corinth was a city steeped in idol worship, particularly the worship of Aphrodite, a female oriental goddess. It was a female-dominated city and society. The temple housed a thousand priestesses, who were essentially prostitutes. In the early stages of this new church plant, men would sit on one side and women on the other, following Jewish customs. These new Christian wives, wanting to show respect to their husbands, would shout across the room to ask questions or make statements, thus disrupting the worship service. That’s why Paul said this behavior had to stop.

Let me get a little more personal. I am ordained with the largest Black Pentecostal denomination in the world, which at that time did not believe in ordaining women into any significant leadership role. My wife and I attended our first state convention with thousands of others. During the preaching, the guest speaker abruptly stopped and called out my wife (the only white woman in the venue), eventually giving her the microphone and permission to speak. She responded by prophesying to the entire congregation. No one could object to what was happening, as she was fulfilling one of the promises of Scripture. As Acts 2:18 says, “In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.”

Now, for those who still believe that women should NOT speak or take on leadership roles in the church, consider this: in the New Testament, there are thirty-two named apostles besides the original twelve. That’s right, thirty-two! And of those thirty-two, TWO were women!

Put that in your doctrine. I apologize for shaking up some folks’ minds, but it needs to be said. Yes, women can and should operate in leadership roles within their local church, and yes, some women should be welcomed into the five-fold ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers, and Pastors.