New Testament Priesthood (ministerial qualification) is not a function of being a man or being a woman, and with understanding its significance comes a beautiful sense of spiritual security, dignity value, calling and purpose for all God’s children.
But, I would go further and say this is also true regardless of their age which many of us have not yet truly understood.
1 Peter 2:9–10 (NIV) — But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
But can women be ministers?
The truth is this is a ridiculous question, it is like asking do cows produce milk, or do birds fly? All you have to do is take a look at extraordinary ministers like Jacke Pullinger (pictured) or our very own Lynn Green.
I understand that the way men and some women have answered this question has caused huge pain to many women, in part I believe because the church historically has viewed this question through the lens of eldership structures in the New Testament. I believe the church’s historic theological debates on the question of eldership has confused for many the real question of identity in Christ. But can a woman be an equal minister to a man, can she carry the same ecclesiastical authority and can she lead the community, can she preach, lead communion? Over 25 years ago 1 Peter 2:4-6 helped me come through the fog and all the theological wrangling, and it completely answers that question unequivocally, Yes!
1 Peter 2:4–6 (NIV) — 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
For me women are equal partners, leaders and ministers in the leadership of local church.
What Father is trying to build is a family of believers who are all ministers, but, I am equally concerned about ensuring we include the next generation and acknowledge their ability to minister in Christ’s name. Age is no reliable measure of spiritual maturity and neither is learning.
I think it was God’s prophetically announced desire right from nation formation in Exodus 19:5–6, foreshadowing what was to come in Christ. And at the end of history, we read of no divide as we all serve our Father as priests.
Revelation 20:6 (NIV) — 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
As a Baptist family, we have a wide range of views and we must hold on to one another with integrity and love, a family is made up of all kinds of wonderful individuals some presentable others not, some in great fellowship others on the edge, Some who have no questions about the infallibility of scriptures others who believe the scriptures, but have questions, but all should be cherished and loved. And to the parts of the family that disagree with me, be assured as President I will respect your distinctions and differences and if called upon serve you to the best of my ability.
My appeal?
Please help me make this presidential year one that is focused on Christ, not me. Let us stay focused on making Christ known and encouraging our churches to proclaim Him in this year. He came to take the burden and impact of sin away from people who need to find his love. That is my focus in evangelism, and I would encourage you to make it yours
Sign up and lets priest the world together