The Ministry of Women in the Church
by Jim Stephens

Questions arise from time to time about the ministry of women in the church… Should women be leaders in the church? Should women teach and preach? Should women hold positions of authority?
There are issues concerning the ministry of women that must be addressed, most specifically those that relate to Paul’s writings in I Corinthians 11,14 and I Timothy 2, as well as Peter’s comments in I Peter 3.
Our Foursquare Movement was founded by Aimee Semple McPherson, a woman of proven calling, gifting, and anointing. Westside Church is pleased to have women as part of our Leadership Team and to benefit from the teaching and preaching ministry of women.

The following is a brief summary of our beliefs about a woman’s role in ministry and leadership.

1.    We believe that God created men and women equal, of equal value in his eyes, and equally able to receive and exercise talents, skills, and spiritual gifts. Genesis 1:27; Galatians 3:28
2.    We believe that God created men and women with specific roles in mind in their relationships; that God clearly intended that in the marriage relationship the woman is to be in willing – never demanded, never forced – submission to her husband and that the husband is to love, lead, and care for his wife with the same self-sacrificing love Christ showed for the church. Ephesians 5:22-29
3.    We believe that there are important issues addressed and important principles to be learned and applied from Paul’s letters to Timothy and the church at Corinth concerning roles of women and behavior of women in public gatherings of the church.
4.    We believe Paul’s instructions in I Corinthians 11,14 and I Timothy 2, as well as Peter’s in I Peter 3, must be read, understood, and applied in the light of the significant prophetic ministry of women in the Old Testament, the role of women in Jesus’ ministry and the honor he gave them, and the clear respect Paul showed for women in ministry.
5.    We believe it is clear from Paul’s writings to the churches and in the accounts of his ministry found in the book of Acts that he respected and honored godly women and that he didn’t hesitate to work alongside them and to recommend them and their ministries, including teaching and leadership ministries, to the churches.
6.    We believe that women who are called and gifted by God to lead and to teach should do so under the loving authority of their own believing husbands or if their husbands are not Christ-followers or they are single, under the authority of the leaders of the local church.
7.    We believe that within the context of right relationship with God-ordained authority, women should be encouraged to respond to God’s calling, to develop and exercise their God-given talents and gifts, and should not be hindered from becoming the blessing God created them to be.

See articles below for additional resources.