Gifts, calls, and women

SW,

What passage(s) do you have in mind? Are you thinking of Eph.4:11 when you refer to "the gift of evangelism" or "the call of an evangelist"? And what do you mean by an "evangelist"? Are you thinking of someone who preaches evangelistic sermons, or someone who teaches evangelistic Bible studies, or just someone who shares his faith with others? The answer to your question depends upon the answers to these other questions.

Pastork

 

Saggy, as you know my perspective on this is that there is no role in the Church that a man can fill that a woman cannot.

I see no real difference between having gifts for evangelism and a call to serve as an evangelist since both would come from God and God wouldn't give one without the other.

Joshua

 

I will let someone else tackle the women in ministry issue. My concern would be with the evangelist role. As I see it evangelism is something every believer should be doing. I don't see anywhere in Scripture the role of the modern day motor-home evangelist. Preaching a few messages, singing a few songs then hitting the road doesn't seem to jive with scripture. I know the arguement people get saved and spiritual lives are refreshed so it must have some value, right? Well, sure God used a donkey but that doesn't make it the ideal means of communication. In my experience most "evangelists" do so because they really don't want to be under the authority of the local church. In fact I have been told so by one former evangelist who is now serving as a pastor. Please save me the lists of people you know that are evangelists who do it for the right reasons.
I just don't know how you can be a shepherd without a flock (1Peter 5:1-3).

 

I don't really think of the "gift of evangelism" as the talent for tent revivals and wearing gallons of hairspray.

For me, evangelism is presenting the gospel in a way that someone who is suspicious of it, or hostile to it, or wounded by it, can hear and accept it. Every Christian should try to do this, but there are people who have a gift for it.

Joshua

 

Well SW, I do believe that God gifts some more in the area of evangelism than others, and I believe that women can be just as blessed by god in this way as men. But I would disagree with Joshua's assertion that "there is no role in the church that a man can fill that a woman cannot". This is why I asked the questions I asked (as you no doubt surmised). A woman can exercise her gifts in whatever ways are appropriate within her God given role as a woman. This would mean that preaching/teaching over men would not be a part of whatever calling she may have.

Pastork

 

Patork,
I like to witness to people, anyone the Lord gives me opportunity. I have often wondered what some other views on this are. I am very aware that I am not to teach in the gathering of saved believers when men are persent. But, I do feel that I should witness to men who are unsaved, because that may be the only time they get to hear. I do not get to witness to men very often because I am careful about speaking to men other than my husband without others being present. But, I would never want to miss an opportunity to witness to someone.
I am interested in some thoughts from folks who believe in the literal teachings of 1 Tim 2:9-16 and 1 Cor 14:34. Thank you.

HCL

 

What amazes me is this: If conservative Baptists like myself oppose women serving as Senior Pastors of churches, then why are so many conservative Baptist men supportive of the ministries of women like Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Anne Graham Lotz--to name a few? Aren't they doing the same thing that male senior pastors do?!?

 

Yes, SW, I am saying that any use of any gift by a woman in the church which places her in authority over men, or usurps the authority of the male leadership, is sinful. Paul clearly says "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve." (1Tim.2:11-13).

Pastork

 

All Christians are to give a reason of the hope that lies within them and witness or evangelize people. The evangelist I believe is a male only role especially as we use the term today.

 

If you want to find out what an evangalist really is, read the story of Philip in the book of Acts. His story is told in Acts 6:1-7; 8:5-40; 21:8-10.

 

to be perfectly honest, all the Saved people are called to "evangelize" in the sense of trying to win lost souls to Christ....however there are 2 things that The Bible is very clear about that a woman cannot do and that is (1) be a Pastor (1Tim 3:2- must be a husband of one wife) and (2) usurp authority over a man (1 Tim 2:12) which i personally believe being called as an "Evangelist" would follow under those rules...that's God's rules and truthfully very, very hard to misinterprit.. but some of the greatest Soul-Winners I Have ever met were Women including my mother who has personally led over 250 people to the Lord (by my count, not hers as she would never take any credit) So Please do not hesitate to share what Jesus Christ has done for you with a lost and dying world both Male and Female...Amen !