TO WOMEN CALLED BY GOD…PLEASE DON’T “GO HOME.”
If you’ve been online or talked to any leaders at all in the last few days, you’ve likely heard the recent comments made by John MacArthur telling Beth Moore to "Go home". This has stirred up a number of different opinions and emotional reactions regarding the idea of women in ministry. Now, I can appreciate that as leaders we may land on different sides of the fence theologically, but when we make it our aim to demean, criticize, belittle and devalue another leader or those from either gender, then we are not operating in a God-honouring way. In fact, we are doing quite the opposite. We are attacking the very image and nature of God expressed through His creation.
WHY IT HURTS
Honestly, as a male leader and pastor, I may not always personally feel the tension of this issue. In my mind and the minds of the leaders I serve with, our Father clearly created men and women in his image and commissioned each and every one of us to “Go and make disciples…” Period. End of story. Let’s go do this. So when I heard the comments, I shook my head, didn’t even give them any credence, and could have simply moved on. But then I saw how the words affected my wife, the woman I pastor with, admire, lean on for wisdom, and live out this God-calling with. I thought of my own daughter, who at a young age, already has a strong and wonderful call of God on her life. I thought of my three sons, who I pray would never try to demean any other person called to have a voice out of fear that it might diminish their own voice. And I thought of the women I know who are mighty and skilled leaders and preachers in my own church and churches around the world...and the pastor in me could not stay silent.
I love the church. It is God’s plan to spread the good news and proclaim redemption to mankind. So any attempt to devalue half of that mankind created in God’s own image is an attack on the very plan of God and the church. And this is why I am grieved.
JESUS SAYS "COME HOME"
Though this short blog post doesn't lend itself to fully developing a doctrine of women in ministry, it is important to note that Jesus’ regard for women was much different than that of the contemporary culture of his day. He regarded them as beings made equally in the image of God (Genesis 1:27 Matthew 19:4), and addressed them as such. He spoke publicly with women throughout His ministry (John 4, John 8, Luke 7, Luke 8, and Luke 11 are just a few examples). He gave them worth and value in a culture that regarded them as second-class citizens.
The language of Jesus’ ministry here on earth was COME.
“Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. Follow My teachings and learn from Me. I am gentle and do not have pride. You will have rest for your souls.” Matt. 11:28-29 NLV
“At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’” Luke 14:17
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Mark 1:17
The heart of His message was “COME HOME.” Come, be who you have always been called to be. Come, live on mission and be part of my glorious story. Come, and let me breathe life on those dreams I have put in your heart. Let me stir up the gifting and anointing you have to bring others home. Come Home. This is the heart of our Father. I grieve to think that women would hear any other narrative and disqualify themselves from coming to the one place that can truly set them free. Come Home.
So today, I celebrate and honour the call of God on every woman in the kingdom of God! You need to know that we can't do this without you. You may have been silenced in the past, but that day is no more. Rise up and fulfill the call of God on your life to lead, to preach the gospel, to bring others to Jesus, to train and equip, to prophesy and pastor. There are too many lives at stake for us to discount anyone from walking out what God has called them to do.
You are home.
Love this, love your heart, and can’t believe we are having this conversation in 2019.
What our daughters hear is important! They need to hear they carry the glory of the Father.
Absolutely! Both genders are created in the image of God and have a role to play in fulfilling the great commission!
So
Beautifully said- love like Jesus, live like Jesus!
Thanks Tomana!
Thank you, Pastor Bryan for these honoring comments. I too have been grieved throughout the day by the harsh, arrogance in the words that were spoken.
I am grateful for such men, as yourself, that I serve with, build with & stand alongside of as we serve the King & His kingdom.
May we each walk worthy of the call that He has called us to. May we not discredit His great sacrifice with harshness in return but instead go forward in love, serving effectively. May we not be distracted or discouraged by such harshness but instead go forward & reap the harvest together.
Thank you Glenda. It is an honour and privilege to build the kingdom alongside an incredible leader like yourself.
Well said!
Thanks Pastor Mike!
Thank you for standing up and being a voice! Love serving in a church where everyone is equipped and empowered to the call of God.
Thanks Jackie! Yes and amen. So much is at stake, we must continue to release men and women to fulfill the call on their lives.
Excellent response!
Thank you!
Thanks Bryan!
The first person Jesus spoke to after He was resurrected was a woman. She was then given a message to share to the disciples… kind of significant if you ask me. Well said.
Thanks Bryan!
Created not of Adam’s head to be above him, nor of his feet to be trampled upon, but of his side to be as his equal, under his arm to be protected, and beside his heart to be beloved.
Yes!
Well written Bryan. It is time for us to declare that we are “joint heirs together in the grace of life.” – in every facet of life and ministry. I agree with you whole heartedly.
Amen. Thanks Dave.
Way to speak up Bryan!! The future is bright . Really is a new & different generation!!
Thanks Bonnie!
Would it be ok to share this ? My sister in law and about 4 other female friends are pastors they should hear this!!!
But of course. That is the point! Share away!
Well spoken. It is hard to step away from the stigma that has been placed on women in the church over the years, but in Christ we are equal and free from gender boundaries as we move in His calling in our lives. We have to look beyond the limitations that others have in their vision and see the freedom in His. As we follow His vision, we can be an encouragement and a guiding light to those who God places in our paths.
So true. Thanks Kathy.
Way to go Brian!
Thanks Ev!
Thank you for taking the time to write this out and to help us respond to these words. I am so thankful to serve alongside you and many men and women who are working to fulfill the great commission. You’re right… there’s too many lives at stake. We’re all in this together. And it’s a privilege we all have to be welcomed into His calling.
Couldn’t agree more. Glad we get to do this together.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts, I agree 100%. I guess I’ve lived long enough to not be affected by comments like this. I’ve experienced the grace of God to be able to do what he called me to do and I pray every woman will not give any credence to these remarks but will continue in the great calling on their lives.
Amen to that! Thanks Karen.
So Good!!
Thanks Darryl!
To those called there is a purpose….
Great article bro! In a day where there is so much negativity, we need to affirm and encourage everyone who is called to walk in their purpose. As I travel and minister with my wife I am uniquely aware of the battles my wife deals with just to stand confidently in her calling and declare what God has placed on her heart!. Even this past weekend My wife ministered powerfully and many were impacted. Without her, we could not be as effective as we are.
Thank you my friend! And I totally agree.
Thank you so much Bryan for standing up for God’s truth, and for being a voice for women. You are exemplifying the wonderful and much needed aspects of a supportive male leader. You confidently carry your leadership mantle (without the world’s sense of comparison or threat) and you help women in all capacities of leadership, because all women were born to influence and lead (motherhood, ministry, etc) to be all that God has called them to – to flourish – through being seen and treated with honor, protection, and great worth. We all carry equal honor and different strengths and are made to work together. Thank you for your boldness, your strength, your support, your covering. You have disarmed the enemy once again with God’s truth. I feel honoured to be a woman in leadership where God has me in this season, and to be part of this church. I am deeply thankful for your faithful support and encouragement. And for the many amazing women leaders that are present at LifeSpring and yet to come! The best is yet ahead.
Thank you Angie! Keep following the call of God on your life! You are an amazing leader.
It hurts my heart to see that leaders of the church are so obviously demeaning women and the important role we play in helping the church. We may not all be pastors, but we teach the classes on Sunday morning. We babysit the kids while our husbands preach. We feed the congregation during potlucks. We plan parties and make sure our pastors feel our love and appreciation for them (this is, after all, pastor appreciation month). How are we supposed to do all this if we just “go home”? And above all, God saw that man was alone, and decided that it was not okay.
Thank you so much for standing up for us, with us, and speaking out against this travesty. You are appreciated more than I can put into words.
Thank you Emily. Keep being the leader God has called you to be.