Thursday 20th January 2011

Paul Poulton comments on women in leadership

Paul Poulton

Trouble has ensued once more over the ordination of women bishops. The Guardian has reported that Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams expressed regret as five 'against ordination of women' bishops left the church last November. The Daily Mail has reported that the 'Church of England might have to split in two'. I'm not an Anglican but I do look on with interest and have a few thoughts.

Jesus said something about the kingdom of heaven being like yeast that works its way through a whole batch of dough. I guess it takes time to do that, and since the first century we have seen his kingdom spreading.

Working yeast through dough is a bit like life, it gets messy. If you've ever tried to knead bread you will know just how messy. When Jesus first spoke those words the world was a messy place; institutionalised slavery was common place. When the MP William Wilberforce took steps to abolish the slave trade in Britain his opponents used scripture to support their position. It's true that when the Bible was written slaves were common place; where we trip up is in thinking that because that is how life used to be, that is how it ought to be. There is another factor involved: if we adhere strictly to the letter of the law we are targets for becoming cold automaton. If we live by the spirit of the law we become compassionate discerning human beings, or as the Bible puts it, 'The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life'.

The Spirit of Life is working in the world, like yeast working its way through sticky dough. We have seen great strides forward in the world, in the education and care of children, health and social care. Some slavery still exists but many governments and organisations seem to be doing what they can to stop it. The Bible does makes some statements about slavery but the spirit of the law is that all men and women should be free and those who live by the Spirit of Life recognise that fact.

In biblical times women received no education. One rabbi from the New Testament era said, 'Rather should the words of the Torah be burned than entrusted to a woman'. I'm not a woman but I can't help feeling that in many areas they have got a raw deal. The Bible talks about them being the weaker sex; okay, fair enough, yes women are weaker than men.

In the early 1900's women were told not to run because they wouldn't be able to bear children and that her uterus would fall out. It seems the medical profession of the day had little faith in the way God made the human frame and seemed to consider women as china doll type creatures. In the course of time the feats of many women proved the medical world wrong, but it was not until 1984 that the women's marathon became a sanctioned Olympic event. Joan Benoit won it. She's 53 now and recently ran the 26.2 miles in 2:47:50. I wonder how many 53 year old men could run it in that time? When men talked about women being the weaker sex they gauged 'strength' by their own strength and the fact is some men are lazy and never get anywhere near their true potential. Medical men in the early 1900's thought of women as very weak because they themselves were fairly weak.

Men, if they train, can pick up heavier weights than women, run faster and jump higher and longer; but women are not far behind and do hold a sporting world record or two that out performs men.

The trouble with women is that sometimes men are so weak it makes the women look even weaker; so weak that some men disparage the prospect of women holding positions of leadership. Some use the Bible, others sexism and others laugh it off.

The plain fact is that women can lead and can lead well. The world has seen many women who have taken up the challenge to lead and have excelled; Deborah in the Bible, Boadicea, Joan of Arc and we have seen modern day women in charge of countries. Here in the UK we had Margaret Thatcher who got voted into power by the people in three successive general elections and let's remember the people didn't vote her out of office but pressure from her colleagues forced her resignation. In the 1940s in Birmingham Pastors Miss Fisher and Miss Reeve built a thriving church which for over 40 years people from all over the Midlands used to visit on Saturday evenings because they knew something good would happen.

The fact is some women are gifted with leadership skills. Slowly we are coming to realise it.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

About Paul Poulton

Paul is a singer/songwriter, author and speaker. He records and tours solo and with his band, the Paul Poulton Project in the UK, US and Europe playing rhythmic and expressive songs. He has written four books including “Genesis for Ordinary People.”

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Reader Comments

Posted by Jackie Schroeder in Birmingham,AL @ 05:00 on Aug 26 2011

Love this...

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Posted by Chris Hall in France @ 15:32 on Apr 4 2011

I'm no theologian, but I wonder whether when discussing the male and female roles in leadership etc, the notion of responsibility should be considered more that the notion of authority.

I'm kind of thinking out loud here, but judging from God's responses to Adam & Eve after their disobedience, it seems to me that God holds Adam responsible in a way that he doesn't hold Eve. They both experience consequences for their actions, but it seems to me that there is an element that in the couple God holds Adam responsible in a way that is different for Eve.

My point ? Well, concerning church leadership, maybe the issue has more to do with who God holds responsible. It's true that for the majority of God's story with the Jewish people, the person who was responsible before God was a King, or male Judge. But not always. And although God spoke predominantly through men to his people, he also spoke through women (as has already been pointed out). But none of that took away individual responsibiity before God, either.

Then i wonder if there is a difference between leading a church, and bringing a message from God. We are all called to bring a message from God, in the sharing of the Gospel, men and women alike. We are all called to witness and share our faith, through our lives but also through our words, men and women alike.

But not all of us are called to lead a church. Not all men, not all women. And what does it mean 'to lead a church' anyway? To feed, to protect, to nurture...?

One thing which is certain, is that both men and women have enormous abilities for leadership, teaching, preaching, communicating, sharing, etc. Both outside of the church and inside, so whatever our position on male and female roles, it is unfounded if it is based on the notion of ability.

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Posted by Noel Donaldson in West Yorkshire @ 09:24 on Feb 1 2011

Isn't it better to look at the person and their giftings rather than their gender? The only time male or female was important to me is when I looked for a wife. A bit simplistic in my comment I guess but if God calls someone to be a minister I think He would know what is important, not years of tradition.

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Posted by Bev Murrill in Maldon Essex @ 16:48 on Jan 29 2011

Fantastic article Paul... in the end, leadership is about those whom God anoints to lead. I once heard that Deborah was the exception that proved the rule (whatever rule that is), but it's interesting to note that there are only two people in the OT called both prophet and judge. One was Deborah and the other was Samuel... maybe he is the exception that proves the rule as well... ahhh, what rule is that?

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Posted by Martin Hill in Newcastle-under-Lyme @ 20:50 on Jan 28 2011

I am a little torn. Not because I disagree with Paul's understanding of the Spirit because I don't. I also understand John and Mark's wish to see exegesis but it is the easiest thing to quote a proof and not see it in context of the whole. Men should lead, there is no doubt that is the creation order (just as John says). Mark is right when he says that 1 Corinthians 11, 2 Timothy 3 and Titus give preference to the man to lead. I might add that Ephesians also gives this preference. I ask you not to overlook the passage that, the same Paul wrote to the church in Galatia saying, 'There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.' I would rather have a woman who loves Jesus lead me than a man who loves self and purports to love Jesus.

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Posted by Sue B in Darlington @ 18:10 on Jan 28 2011

Thanks so much for this helpful contribution to the debate. I would like to add to your third last paragraph:

"The trouble with women is that sometimes men are so weak it makes the women look even weaker; so weak that some men disparage the prospect of women holding positions of leadership. Some use the Bible, others sexism and others laugh it off."

I wonder if its the case that men are sometimes so weak that it makes the women look strong...

So the gifted women, called into leadership by the God who made them in his image, are brought low and their gifts and qualities denied.

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Posted by Andrew Gale in bedfordshire @ 17:16 on Jan 28 2011

The first person to witness to the resurrection was a woman. The bible contains countless examples of women leaders, Miriam, Micah 6:4 “I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam.” Deborah Paul already mentions, Huldah in 2 Kings 22:14ff even the priests seek her leadership. Priscilla and Aquilla were joint teachers, Phoebe a deacon of the church, Young’s literal translation gives the word deacon its true meaning. And I commend you to Phebe our sister -- being a ministrant. I could go on, if all these women were women teachers and leaders those verses which appear to say this is forbidden must be speaking of a specific situation or culture or else they were openly ignored by the early church.
I do feel that there may today be locations in the world where a woman couldn’t teach because of the prevailing culture of the country however I would believe that over time as the society was evangelised that here would be a change and the church there would say, “In Christ there is no male or female.” Oddly it was to such societies the church sent women to teach since many of those who object to women in leadership didn’t object to single women on the mission field.

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Posted by Vivienne Neville in Durham @ 16:10 on Jan 28 2011

Women in leadership in the church is such a controversial issue and a one which will continue to be so. As a women in the Anglican church I have listened to and read much on this issue and pick up on Paul’s final point “The fact is some women are gifted with leadership skills”

Many of my friends are vicars both male and female, I have listened to passionate debates between those who are against and those who are for women leadership in the church.
Many will agree that we gain much from both male and female leaders in the church context. When I look at scripture I see male and female leaders as co-workers together. Throughout the old and New Testament we read of dynamic male leaders working alongside dynamic female leaders.

Exodus 15 Miriam, the daughter of Aaron was a prophetess.

Judges 4 & 5: Deborah, a prophetess & judge. She was the fourth and only female judge of Israel. Deborah is among the outstanding women of history.

2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22 Huldah, a prophetess. God freely selects His servants to carry out His will. Huldah was highly regarded by the people of her time.

Acts 21:8 & 9: Philip the evangelist had four unmarried daughters who were prophets. Women actively participated in God's work.

There are others. It is important for us to not bypass these women who were clearly leaders. Not all men are leaders, not all women are leaders but God has certainly giving the gift of leadership to some men and to some women.

When I see male & female leaders working in leadership roles alongside each other in the church it is a blessing.

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Posted by Mark M in London @ 17:08 on Jan 24 2011

I disagree with Paul - and agree with John in Witney. Equality doesn't mean people are the same. God made Men and Women equally - but made them with different roles. Equal but different. 1 Cor 11 discusses what is the right pattern in worship. v3 "The head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God." This doesn't mean that God the Father and Christ the Son are unequal - but there is a submission that goes on there. The same happens in marriage and should happen in the leadership of a church. 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 2 make it clear that church leadership is male. It's not because men are always better - but because it's a reflection of God's creation order.

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Posted by Wayne Sadlier in Burnham-on-Sea @ 17:51 on Jan 21 2011

Well said Paul. What has always puzzled me about the nay- sayers is. Our mothers teach us when we are children,( see 2 Tim v5), most sunday school teachers are women. As school children and students we are taught by woman, (many very inspirational). Many of the great missionaries have been and are women. Yet when it comes to woman in church leadership, that becomes a no no.

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Paul Poulton comments on women in leadership

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