Category: 167 – Women’s Roles in Churches of Christ

August 2019

Fruits of a Complementarian Creation Account: A Misdiagnosis of Woman (Part 4)

Perhaps most revealing of the depth of the divergence in egalitarian and complementarian thought is the divergence in the very definitions of 3:16’s key vocab: “rule over” (mashal be) and “desire for” (teshuqah ‘el). The two phrases on their own carry little to no inherent connotation— what’s certain in their definitions is simply that they’re: […]

Self-Reported Trauma Symptoms by Women in Churches of Christ – Part 2

Author’s note: I received a lot of feedback regarding my last post. I want to briefly address that before presenting the next part of my findings. I set out to discover if my experiences in Churches of Christ are unique. I have learned that I am not alone. I want to reiterate that regardless of […]

Fruits of a Complementarian Creation Account: A God of Prohibition (Part 2)

The most logical place, I originally thought, to start a Bible study on gender roles was the place where gender roles are most explicitly discussed. We all know those landmine verses of Ephesians 5, 1 Timothy 2, 1 Corinthians 11 and 14, and more. Even leaving the verbiage at the most surface interpretations and traditional […]

Fruits of a Complementarian Creation Account: An Emphasis on Responsibility (Part 1)

First, A Note on Responsibility: Before I ever get into the nitty-gritty on women’s roles, I’m careful to frame the entire topic in the idea of responsibility. We’re essentially in a conversation about whether and how men’s and women’s God-given personal responsibilities differ in our communities. Remembering this keeps both sides fair. It is my […]

You are Invited to Renew’s Gathering

It is just as true today as it has ever been, apart from Jesus people are lost. How are we going to reach them? It is also true that God expects us to grow in our faith and maturity in Christ. How are we accomplishing that? The answer to both questions is the same answer […]

Was Junia An Apostle?

The question came up in my previous article about whether or not Junia was an apostle. I am thankful the question didn’t come up of whether or not she was a she. She most certainly was. There are two standard works on this subject for further consideration: Scot McKnight – Junia is Not Alon (2.99 […]

What do Women Teachers, Deception and Childbearing Have in Common?

I have already touched on two key points in 1 Timothy 2 – silence and authority. If you haven’t read those, I hope you will take a few minutes to consider those two articles. Next we tackle Paul’s prohibition of women teaching in 1 Timothy 2:12-15 which turns out to be one of the strangest […]

Quenching the Spirit?

I hesitate to add my voice to the area of women’s roles in the Churches of Christ.  I say that, as a man, who gets to preach, and has no restrictions placed on him. I feel unqualified to add my words to the already full pools of thought going on in our congregations. Yet, sometimes […]

Christ > Culture

Please don’t confuse Jesus with our celebrities.  Please don’t confuse Jesus with our politicians. Please don’t confuse Jesus with our news organizations. Please don’t confuse Jesus with our religious teachers, preachers, worship ministers, and pastors. Jesus is the one who calls us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the imprisioned regardless of […]

What Does Not Having “Authority” Mean for Women in 1 Timothy 2:12?

1 Timothy 2:11-12 is one of the pivotal scriptures in shaping our view of what women can and cannot do in the assembly. Interestingly enough, it isn’t really an assembly passage, although the instruction there certainly would govern what happens in the Christian assembly (church). Before we start I want to tell you my intent. […]

Helping Church Leaders: The Renew Storyline

When it comes to being a church leader, sometimes it feels like a choice between the way we’ve always done it and the way of uncertainty. It’s a choice that can leave you feeling lonely, like this young minister … “For some time now I have felt somewhat alone in ministry. Don’t get me wrong, […]

My Story

Note: I will admit, right from the beginning, that telling this story is difficult. It feels risky and vulnerable. My prayer is that my words are seasoned with grace and love. I will be honest. I will be real. And it may be uncomfortable at times, but I think the risk is worth it. I […]

The Context of Women Being Silent

This article is intended to get information in front of you for your own study and consideration. I pose a few questions in this article that I also hope you will wrestle with in an effort to have a view on this issue that is coherent, consistent and most importantly – biblical. There are two […]

Here is What is Happening Next Month at ACU’s Summit 2019

ACU Summit is back again September 15-18 with the theme “Sorrow, Hope, and Joy: Life in the Mountains and Valleys of the Psalms.” Our five theme speakers will guide us through the ups and downs of life as they correspond with the Psalms. This year, attendees can choose from 20 different daytime Pathways to find […]

Self-Reported Trauma Symptoms by Women in Churches of Christ

Author’s note: This research was birthed out of my own trauma as well as my experience ministering to other women in our tribe who are hurting and who report that their pain is directly related to being in churches of Christ. While we continue to discuss what a woman’s “role” in the church can or […]