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| Q: | The Bible teaches us that women should not have authority over men thus not allowing women the right to vote on church matters. Having the right to vote provides people a voice in issues that they take to heart and that affect them directly. Beyond that, however, it provides a voice that not only can just be heard and considered but also one that has the potential and, yes, power of providing positive change for themselves and others. I argue that without a voice it is difficult for people to feel ownership or feel that they have a place in a group. I consider myself a capable and intelligent 31-year-old and one who is able to make thoughtful decisions for my family and church. I have many skills and talents to offer my church that frankly go beyond baking a pie. I feel that I don't have a voice in my WELS church because I am not allowed to vote or be counted as a vote (as an actual person--church member) on church matters. Do they not count me when they figure attendance? Do they not count me when I take communion? Do they not count the money I give? Do I not count in the WELS church? Not enough I argue to be allowed to have any say or vote in any decision no matter how small in how the church is run. I feel that I am not appreciated and am not being allowed an opportunity to serve the lord using the gifts and talents he has given me. My talents are not in baking pies or serving food to people and I find it insulting that this is what is being suggested as my role in a WELS church. It is a great loss for our religion to not acknowledge or use the wonderful talents that women possess. Yes, some of these do include leadership, organizing skills, creativity, and ingenuity. What a waste! I'm very sad for our synod. I am frankly insulted and greatly upset that in this day and age any one group of people whether it be age or race or what not are being silenced and not allowed to have input in matters that do affect them and their families. With the increasing number of divorces, there are many families that now have a female as the head of their family. There is a large group of people that are not being REPRESENTED. Finally to my question-If the Bible teaches that it would not be Christian to have a women for president (I read this from another question that was answered from this website) then answer me another question---ARE you saying then that really, I mean really what the Bible is telling us is that technically it is not even ok for women to vote for the President of the United States since it is being stated repeatedly that it is not Christian for women to vote for any position or for any decision that could ever possibly have authority over a man? Maybe this shouldn't be allowed of our members in our synod either? (at least the female ones) I would appreciate any help with these issues. I am really struggling with this as you can see. | ||||||
| A: | I would encourage you to begin by reading the paper "The Spirit in Which We Apply the Scriptural Roles of Man and Woman" by Pastor Walter Beckmann. The following is an excerpt from that paper: Christian men consider their church to be their spiritual family. They regard the female members of their congregation as their sisters in Christ. If there is a considerable age difference, they will even treat them with the love and respect which a Christian son ought to show his mother (I Timothy 5:2). In that loving spirit, they will assume their God-given responsibility in the church for the good of all the members. They will cheerfully, even sacrificially, give of their time and energy to oversee the business of God's house, to see to it that God's Word is taught in truth and that programs of Bible study and instruction in sound doctrine are made available to all members of their spiritual family. They will foster good stewardship and fellowship, promote and participate in energetic programs of outreach and evangelism, and show loving concern for the physical and spiritual welfare of every member. They will strive to be men full of the Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3) and will seek that Spirit and wisdom from the Holy Scriptures. Just as Christian husbands strive to bring joy into the lives of their God-given wives, so Christian men in the congregation will consider the spiritual needs of their sisters in Christ and will strive to do all in their power to make their worship and fellowship edifying and delightful. They will also do all they can to recognize the gifts of their spiritual sisters, seek their input, develop programs in which those gifts can be used in a God-pleasing way in the service of the Lord and of his church, and encourage them to joyfully participate in such service. Just as in the Christian home so also in the Christian church, Christian women will recognize the headship of their brothers in Christ. They will cheerfully help and serve in any way they can and, in loving obedience to Christ the true head of the church, accept the Scriptural restriction that they are not permitted to teach or have authority over the man (I Timothy 2:11-12). For the strength to do this they too will turn to Christ, to the Word and to the Spirit. | ||||||
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