Oh gosh Deanna this book on "who Said Women cant teach" is amazing!!!!!!!!
Is this guy A/G?
Have any of you ever wrestled with your own call? I am seeing how I have been letting the enemy bluff me and cause to me to not stand in my rightful authority and have let the religious system of our day make me question my own calling! And though I cant say I am ready to go head to head to defend that call to hard nose men in the religious world, I am seeing how wrong it is and how wrong I have been to be intimidated. And I am feeling that stir on the inside to just let all that that is inside stifled up start coming out and not being intimidated by the former pastor's wife, not be intimidated by the former pastor who made the statement he' dhave to just have to get up and walk out if a woman started preaching in that church. I have over the pst few years, in dealing with this religious spirit, have let it bully me and silence me to the point I wont show any spirituality publicly anymore. (Such as praying in my prayer language and worshipping out loud during music) I have been under some serious intimidation and I am wanting to break free! This book has helped me see so much biblical history behind all the tradition and just plain wrong teaching. Thanks for recommending it Deanna. Here's to breaking out of the box!
I have never wrestled with my call however plenty of other people seem to have wrestled over it, thereby causing me some anguish in the past. I don't debate it with anyone at this point -- and haven't for years. You will never change people's minds on this - only the Lord can change them. You are right, it's a religious spirit.
Here's the thing -- when revival comes and God is truly moving, all barriers are down. Gender, race, etc. etc. There are no walls when God is really moving. People don't care about the package the gospel comes in, they just want more of God! You know when things are dry and people are in need of a true touch when there are all these boundaries and barriers about who is able to minister the gospel.
Don't waste any time debating people if they try (and they will) even in your own church. Just lovingly go on to do what God has called you to do. You have to be loving - but firm. Don't ever allow anyone to talk you (or drive you into) taking a backseat.
I got to speak to my husband breifly this morning and he is having sucha wonderful time this morning (well its already evenign there) but he said if men with a problem with women monsoters could go to CHina they'd be changed . Women there in their 30's and 40's been imprisoned half their lives for the gospel pastoring thousands and thousands. He said is book of acts in motion. He is being revolutionized! SO I jsut wanted to pass that along. He'll be back Wed. night so keep him in prayer a little while longer. They had no idea about the hurricane so they were all going to try and find a news channel. Love you all.
Funny story (regarding gender roles): Last summer, we had a church work day...a bunch of men were outside doing some work on the parsonage yard, and it was hot and sweaty. Meanwhile, I was up to my elbows in soapy water, crayons, and curriculum, working with our preschool teacher to clean and organize her room (this had never been done, like, ever!). When I wasn't doing that, I was working with DH on building our kids' area (we built a castle in our fellowship hall!), and organizing the craft supply cabinet.
A lady from the church came to me and said, "Those men are working so hard out there! You and I should bring them some cold lemonade."
I turned to her and said, "That's a great idea, Jane - why don't you get started on that?" and continued on with my work. I'm not "above" serving, or helping out, but I was obviously involved in several other projects - I was not there to make lemonade for the menfolk.
I told DH that, and he said, "Hey, I was working hard, too! Why didn't I get any lemonade from her ?"
YP and I, as I mentioned in another thread, were accosted last week about joining a kitchen team. Again, no problem helping out, but I really can't commit to something that would take me away from my primary responsibility: the kids!
Most of the time, though, our congregation is pretty good about having two female pastors. SP is still holding out for the "most eccentric staff" award from our district, because not only are we female pastors, but we both have BAs in theatre. Talk about your drama queens, lol! To add to that, my husband is also a theatre guy (yes, there are straight ones out there ) and her husband is a SWAT team police officer. They are both big, burly guys that look like bouncers when they stand next to each other. Talk about your motley crew!
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