“Why can’t I lead in worship?
It hurts seeing others get up and lead and serve in ways that I’m not allowed.
Why is a Scripture that was written in a totally different time and culture being used to prohibit me from serving? Times have changed!
I might even be more talented at this stuff than the men who are allowed to stand up and do it every week. Shouldn’t I be allowed to use my talents?
It brings me to tears when older people tell me God said I can’t stand up before the congregation.
I don’t know if I want to stay in a religion that discriminates against people like me and doesn’t allow us full participation.
Do you really think God would hold to a doctrine that keeps well over half of His worshippers from getting up and leading?”
Who am I?
A 21st century woman who is frustrated because only men are allowed to preach?
Or a 10th century B.C. Benjamite man who is frustrated because only Levites are allowed to serve as priests?
The issue of women’s roles is one that runs much deeper than the scope of this article. My point is simply this: the appeal to emotion that says God would never prohibit talented, capable, willing people from serving Him in any way is completely untenable from a biblical standpoint.
If God indeed says that women are not to preach, it matters not how we feel about it – just as it mattered not how anyone outside of Levi’s tribe felt about the restrictions on the priesthood.
Jack Wilkie is the editor of focuspress.org and author of “Church Reset: God’s Design for So Much More.” He also preaches for the Forney church of Christ in Forney, TX, where he, his wife, Allison, reside with their four children. You can find his full bio here.
