You have correctly identified the central concern and point of doctrine that the Bible presents in this; namely, that a woman is not to exercise authority over a man. You have also properly asked a crucial question: Is the reading of Scripture such an exercise of authority? So your approach to the issues is very much in order and we appreciate that.

A really helpful and adequate response to this issue, we believe, requires more than a simple Yes or No kind of answer. On the one hand, the reading of Scripture, even in public worship assemblies, need not be seen as an exercise of authority. The periodic use of children reciting Scripture (as in a Christmas Eve service or a youth confirmation examination or service) is not normally perceived or understood to involve an exercise of authority.

We should also mention that the Word of God always carries with it divine authority and, in fact, this Word of God is THE authority among God's people. But we have traditionally and culturally always distinguished between the exercise of authority inherent in the Scripture and an exercise of authority in teaching and applying that Word to fellow Christians--as the traditional proclamation of the Word by children in worship assemblies amply indicates. This distinction is also reflected in Scripture when, for example, Priscilla was prominent in the task of clarifying divinely revealed truths to Apollos (see Acts 18:24-26).

But we also believe that more should be said before a church decides to use women lectors on a regular basis in worship services. To establish an action or activity as not categorically forbidden in Scripture is seldom the end of discussion among Christians, but the start of an important kind of discussion. We must basically ask, "If we have the freedom to do such a thing, is it wise, loving, helpful, beneficial, and expedient to do so?" (This principle is stated in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24.)

Is it wise and beneficial to use women to read from the chancel regularly in worship assemblies? I believe there are reasons that can be advanced that could support a "Yes" answer. For example, this might be a significant way to allow women to serve that does not necessarily involve an exercise of authority over men. It is hardly a secret that mature and capable sisters in Christ seek and yearn for opportunities to serve within the biblical limitations.

On the other hand, I believe there are more reasons that speak against this use of Christian freedom at this particular time and place in history. For example, we are surrounded by so much apostasy and open disobedience to God in regard to women and public ministry (or the respective roles of men and women in the church more generally). We do not want to give anyone the impression we also wish to blur or ignore Bible limitations that are in place or let ourselves be perceived as ignoring Bible principles. In short, the possibility of causing spiritual offense is quite real, and love will take this reality seriously.

Also, we enjoy being a part of a larger fellowship of confessional Lutherans, many of whom live in cultures or have church histories that make this issue a significantly more sensitive one to them than it might be to us. I think we can patiently and accurately explain to them what we are doing and why (or why not) we are doing something like this. But emotionally, culturally, and historically it is likely to remain offensive and a cause for stumbling at present. I believe it is much better to instruct and engage in loving dialog for a longer period of time and then (if ever) adopt such a practice than to just start doing this "new thing" and be forced to explain, defend ourselves, and calm down troubled Christian brothers and sisters who are scandalized by what we did.

Another reason to think about would include the fact that also in our culture and history (including that of the LCMS), reading Scripture from the chancel on a regular basis has always been an activity closely linked to functions carried out by pastors. So when this activity is assigned to someone who for any reason is not biblically eligible to be called as a pastor, it will most likely be seen as an attempt to blur distinctions and do what is politically correct and "be like all those other churches" who have little or no regard for the Bible principles of role relationships.

Finally, I question if there is that much real need for this particular activity at the present time. The Lord has graciously supplied us with an ample supply of qualified and willing pastors to serve in our public assemblies. And there are many other ways in which qualified and mature women among us may serve with the gospel without running such a risk of causing offense or giving unloving impressions to those who wrestle with proper applications of Bible principles.

More can be said and in another format should be said. But I hope that this brief response has helped you understand that we genuinely appreciate that you "love to read God's word" in worship services as you have stated, but we believe that there are other factors that merit appraisal before allowing this to be done on a regular basis in our midst. Sometimes it is not wise, loving, or beneficial to others to do what we love to do.