But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:3
One of the biggest questions that many Christians have is, should a women become pastors? Heated debates and discussions regarding this topic are still going on today. But the real question we should be asking is “Who is the head of man?” Why? Because this speaks of the authority and order that God has established. A hierarchical system or organization is the order of positions. The apostle Paul told the church at Corinth “let all things be done decently and in order,” [see 1 Corinthians 14:40]. We should have the peace of God which passes all understanding if we keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, [see Philippians 4:7]. In early Christianity there were women that worked with the apostle Paul and even held services in their homes. Two women named Euodia and Syntyche in Philippi were at odds with each other, but the apostle Paul exhorts them to be of the same mind in the Lord. [see Philippians 4:2]. The importance to be of the same mind in the Lord is to be one in the spirit. Paul states to help those women who labored with him in the gospel. Furthermore, Paul states they are fellow workers, and their names are in the book of life. [see Philippians 4:3]. Women do have an important role in sharing the gospel.
We must remember that the apostle Paul mentions Phoebe, a sister and servant of the church at Cenchreae [see Romans 16:1]. Phoebe had a leadership role as a deaconess at the church of Cenchreae and Paul recommended her as worthy of confidence as to receive her as saints in the Lord. She was a helper to many people and provided aid to those in need. Woman who are trained in the word [the Bible] are used for the glory of God in going forth and sharing the Gospel of Christ. These women worked together with Paul in sharing the gospel. All things are put under the feet of Jesus, and he is the head over all things in the church [see Ephesians 1:22].
Paul makes it clear who is the head of the church, and he also makes it clear who is the head of man and woman. If there is any question, look at what Paul told the church at Corinth.
“But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.”
1 Corinthians 11:3
God is not the author of confusion but of peace [see 1 Corinthians 14:33]. We must remember that women were separated from the men within the synagogue in the early church. During a service the woman were at times loud in the balcony talking and this disrupted the service. They were commanded under the obedience of the law of Moses because they were supposed to be taught by their husbands at home. If they did not understand the meaning of what was being taught in the synagogue, they were to ask their husbands at home. Man had the role of teaching their wives at home what the will of God is and what it means in their own life. Today, sharing and reading the bible is open to everyone. Women teach their children the stories of the bible. Husbands should take on the role of leadership within the home by loving their wives as the Lord loves the church. Having a leadership role means to lead in love and understanding. This means caring enough to know what is important to your wife and child by helping them to grow in the love of the Lord.
Those who are pastors are in Gods eye shepherds who feed the flock. They will have a greater judgement for how they feed their flock in the church. I have witnessed the scattering of the flock in churches, and this has saddened me. If you do not have compassion like Jesus, you should not be a pastor. A pastor must understand his own weaknesses and the importance of being merciful, forgiving, and loving. This is the key to becoming more like Christ. God does not want pastors to be merciless, or greedy. Just look at the following two verses in the bible.
For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore, they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.”
Jeremiah 10:21
“Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand they all look to their own way, everyone for his gain, from his quarter.”
Isaiah 56:11
We must be aware of the greedy dogs who go their own way instead of the way of Christ. There are too many inexperienced people in ministries. The apostle Paul warns about this in 1st Timothy chapter three about what the qualifications of Bishops, Elders and Deasons should be. Let us remember that Christ being the head of the church has put all things under his feet. Christ is the good shepherd who has given his life for the sheep [see John 10:11].
Have you heard of the story of Mary Jane Featherstone, known as Polly? Polly was drawn towards a Salvation Army meeting when she heard the sounds of trumpets and drums marching down the streets of Bradford, England to a theater. She went into the theater to listened to a woman evangelist name Gipsy Tillie Smith. Polly gave her heart to Christ. She later married Smith Wigglesworth. Polly had a reputation as a winner of souls. She was encouraged to continue in evangelistic services. She taught Smith Wigglesworth to read. One day she told Wigglesworth to preach at a service. It happened one day that the spirit of the Lord took over Wigglesworth voice and he was able to speak without stuttering. Wigglesworth had a speech disorder, and God healed him of this disorder. I share this story just to show that God will use anyone including a woman to share and preach the gospel of Christ in order to save souls from the power of Satan.
There are occasions where God uses Woman in evangelistic work, and this is done by a faithful servant of the Lord as shown in second Timothy chapter 4. Polly Wigglesworth is an example of a faithful servant of the Lord. Polly did not self-appoint herself to this position but was chosen for this task. We must not use any kind of authority by force in regard to positions held in the body of Christ. The walk and service of a believer is to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, [see Ephesians 4:3]. Who has the preeminence over all things? Is it not Christ who has the preeminence?
“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.”
Colossians 1:18
Yes, Christ is the head of the body, the church, for he arose from the dead in order to bring us back to God. This is the mystery of God, and it is all in His Son, Jesus Christ.
