The ability to do does not come with a right to do
Friday, October 26, 2012 at 06:24AM 
I had hoped to include chapter summaries of Claire Smith's God's Good Design, but between reading in preparation for a couple of book reviews, preparing for teaching, my children coming and going, and the fall colours which have beckoned to me and my camera, I haven't managed that. I am almost done the book and hope to share soon.
In the meantime, have a peek into what Smith says with regard to women being silent in the church. As a preview, let me just say that Smith is refreshing in that always takes the reader back to the word of God and reasons through it. She does not begin with how she can defend either view; she looks at the Word:
One of the obvious implications of the wider passage I Corinthians 14:26-40 is that the ability to do something does not come with the right to do it.
It is not good enough to say, "Because I can play piano I have the right to play in the band," or "Because I led a Bible study group last year, I have the right to lead one this year," or "Because I am a good Bible teacher I have a right to preach." Or to put it in the way it is often expressed, and where it is not about self-promotion: because a particular woman is a gifted Bible teacher she should be allowed to preach in church.
The ability to do something does not come with the right to do it. This is because there are greater issues at stake. What is best for the congregation? What promotes order? What does God's word say about the relationship between men and women?
I have heard it said often, "The Church is chasing women away because so many gifted teachers aren't given a voice for the gifts."
Perhaps there are some churches who do relegate women to only doing things like arranging baby showers and working in the kitchen (work, by the way which needs to be done, and serves others, and is not shameful), and perhaps there could be more opportunities. However, service is not about doing what we think we're entitled to do; it's about what will bring glory to God, and that may mean that it is done by someone else other than me. James 3:1 reminds us that not everyone should teach. Sometimes, our motives are not clear to us, and if we are more concerned that women get to teach than that the Word of God go forward, I'd say we have some re-examination to do.
This is a verse I have been thinking much upon lately, and I think it bears remembering at all times:
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! (Ps. 115:1)
Women' Ministries
Reader Comments (6)
"However, service is not about doing what we think we're entitled to do; it's about what will bring glory to God, and that may mean that it is done by someone else other than me. "
Bingo! Someone said, "Just because we think we have a gift, doesn't mean we have the right to spew it."
Amen and amen. Thank you for your insight in sharing this bit from Smith's book. I told my hubby that this book is on my Christmas list!
Deb, this is such a good book. I find myself wanting absolute quiet so that I can really think about what she is saying.
I just have to agree with this post. Many times I have heard fellow believers want an important ministry but fail to consider their kids or influence on others an important work for God.
I truly appreciate your blog and many of your posts, yet I do have completely different views on the role of women in ministry and the home. Here is a guest post I wrote for another blogger where I share my personal story. I thought you might find it interesting, but you are under no obligation to read it.
http://admiralcreedy.blogspot.com/2012/10/guest-post-lauras-story.html
I am honestly not seeking the spotlight nor a position such as elder or pastor. And I've done plenty of behind the scenes church work. All I would like is a few more options. Perhaps reading my story might help you understand where some of us are coming from. It can become rather frustrating and painful to constantly be forced into a box where you do not fit or belong, even when you have tried for the sake of conformity to do so. I'm not referring to your blog specifically, but generally to the blogs by women from more Reformed and complementarian backgrounds....and I often observe a lack of charity and that many unfair and false assumptions are made about women such as myself.
I agree with you that it is more important for the Word of God to go out than to be obsessed about WHO is doing it. It is certainly not about women being able to teach no matter what! But about qualified and gifted men AND women being able to do so. Something is not quite right when an unqualified and ungifted man is able to teach/lead simply b/c he is male, and a gifted and qualified woman can not b/c she is female. I've seen cases of this and the Word of God did not go out very well - but God can still use His Word even when it is bumbled through. And I am not speaking of women being able to teach from the pulpit, but simply being able to lead a discussion or teach in a more informal adult setting like a home group, or adult sunday school class.
I realize we are coming from different perspectives, but thanks for listening.
LLM:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yes, we do come from different perspectives. I have never felt I "belonged," and I have felt put in a box. I realized that I'm okay with that. I teach other women. I'm fortunate to do so. If I wasn't able to teach women, I'd teach someone else if it was possible. If I wasn't asked to teach at all, I'd write more and study more. I've learned that seeking God first and foremost is what I must do to have contentment with who I am.
You said this: "I often observe a lack of charity and that many unfair and false assumptions are made about women such as myself."
It works both ways. Being condescending and unkind is not specific to our views on gender roles in the church. I've sat under male pastors who bumbled, and I've sat under women who shouldn't be teaching. I understand what you're saying.
Ultimately, all I can do learn His word, and serve wherever that may be. This is the vocation he has given me. It is up to me to live in light of that.