Why Not Me?

By Beatrice Small

Why not me? Is the biblical study to challenge and encourage women to embrace the calling, gifts and anointing that is upon their life. As it is written, before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you as my chosen instrument Jeremiah 1:5 (amp) For we are Gods own handiwork recreated in Christ Jesus that we may do those good works which God predestined for us.Ephesians 2:10(amp) In times past and present there has been the question of women in ministry. What about the message and the available leader being identified and trained to carry out the mission that has been set. The spirit of the Lord has been poured out upon all flesh. It is time to take the path which has been prepared.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781481763950

Beatrice Small

Dr. Beatrice Small is a pastor, writer and recording artist. A dedicated wife and mother of two, professor of Baccalaureate Biblical Studies for Maranatha Bible Institute and loves the Lord. Chosen to “cry aloud, spare not, lift up her voice like a trumpet,”….! Whether it is through words of inspiration or songs of worship there is a message that must be heard.

Book preview

Contents

Chapter 1

Introduction

Chapter 2

The Ministry Of The Gift (Pastor)

Chapter 3

The Word Ministry

Chapter 4

Women Designed Of God

Chapter 5

Government Of The Church

Chapter 6

Why Women Can Pastor

Chapter 7

Pastoral Interviews

Chapter 8

Conclusion

Dedication

To the one who is my Head as Christ has ordained, Allan A. Small Jr. I submit this writing to you for your fortitude of support, resilience in the midst of opposition and spirit of influence and inspiration. You are a husband that honors the Word of God in word and deed which states husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church…

To every daughter of the seed of Abraham, Jesus declared and yet declares that ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32) And If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)

Purpose and destiny awaits you!

Acknowledgements

I honor every appointed, called out, sanctified and ordained workmanship of God’s creative flow. They are the object of His choice that shared freely their testimonies of ministry. Their contribution was worth its weight.

Special recognition goes to Elder Lanisha Stargell and Bishop Jerry Dargin who labored, supported, assisted and encouraged me in this quest.

Thanks to all the intercessors, both near and far, that kept me before the Throne of Grace to endure this race that was before me.

Abstract

The Sunday morning pulpit looks different from how it used to look years ago. The voice, name, mannerisms, and the dress of the (senior pastor) has changed. The characteristics, personality and leadership style differ from what the church of old has been accustomed. The pastor of this congregation is a woman. Giving women equal status with men in the ministry of the church in some denominations are unthinkable. However, women from all walks of life are accepting, embracing and fulfilling the leadership role of Pastor.

This study is composed of six chapters. Chapter one introduces the church age in which we live, that establishes what leaders are called to do for and in the Body of Christ. The effort of God’s chosen and ordained leaders brings forth purpose in the lives of His people and kingdom. The order and interpretation of hierarchy in the church as the gifts from God are probed in Chapter two, through biblical examples. A picture of how God uses these gifts through faith and obedience will build character and transform lives for the work of the ministry of God. The exploration and character of ministry begins in chapter three which is the biblical history of the church in the Old Testament Law and the fulfillment of the New Testament Covenant through Jesus Christ. Christ like character must be the foundation of leadership in ministry. Both great men and women can only do so much to improve their physical and mental abilities; however, the potential for spiritual character growth is limitless in Christ. In the fourth chapter, the study examines God’s creative plan of equality for His creation and mutual interdependence. Women are equals to men within His creation; not viewed as inferior in knowledge or spirituality because we are heirs and joint heirs, in addition the effects of differences will be discovered as well. In chapter five, we will view the government of the church in structure and gifts. Chapter six is centered on current single, married senior pastors, female and male views, struggles, and debates as well as victories of women in the ministry. Personal experience reaches into the heights and depths of ministry and witnesses to the body of Christ the fruit of success or failure. The seventh chapter is the discussion of the findings and conclusion of the whole matter. The accounts of these findings are based on biblical doctrine and interpretation of scripture by both male and female leaders.

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

The Body of Christ has been and will always be in need of the Gospel message. As it is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4) Feeding on God’s Word is more important than consuming physical food. In fact, the Bible declares that it is our food. Jesus spoke to His disciples my meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish his work (John 4:34). For this message to be heard, someone must be sent. Isaiah 6:8 heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then he said, Here am I; send me. This truth is confirmed in the book of Romans 10:14 by Paul, How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent… . As we look around the face of the earth, we find in many local assemblies messengers that are operating under the authority of being sent by God. For without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5). However, many are operating in the things of God without a permit. With the natural eye we see much more bondage and less freedom from sin in the Body of Christ. The message of the Gospel has not changed. Neither has the gender of the messengers, but for certain the debate over those called and sent, specifically women, have come into question many times over. Without question, among believers, non-believers, churched and un-churched, not to mention male, female and every nationality, social and ethnic group alike, in and outside the church today there are significant differences of interpretation of Scripture regarding almost everything written in the Bible. But the topic of women pastors has been and is one of the most debated topics today. Whether it is a matter of opinion or biblical facts the discussion can and has been embraced for hours, days, years and decades. You will have those that are for and against women as pastors as well as other leadership roles in the Body of Christ as a whole. The most important relevance is our ability to rightly divide the Word of Truth without bias. Jesus went up into a mountain and called unto him who He would… and he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that He might send them forth to preach. (Mark 3:13-14). We know that the original twelve were men, but when it was all said and done they were not the only recipients of His calling.

The questions that guide this study are not related to the message but the messenger. Is it not God who calls and sends? Was it society or God that called gender into the equation regarding His message? What or whom should the emphasis really be on; the message or the messenger?

Background of the Study

Man’s biblical interpretation of the Holy Scriptures is vital to this study. Scripture is the ultimate authority on which we depend. But scripture must be interpreted to ascertain God’s message for us. How one approaches the task of interpretation makes a great deal of difference in the meanings discovered. Before examining the biblical basis for women in ministry, we will probe six principles written by W. Ward Gasque in his article The Role of Women in the Church in Society and in the Home which should be helpful in guiding the interpretation of Scripture.

First, the contextual principle will be explored: What is the author discussing in the surrounding verses? How does the verse, under scrutiny, relate to the theme and logic of the whole passage? The context (words or phrases that come before and after) provides insight on the meaning.

Next, would be the linguistic principle is explained. The bible was written in Hebrew and / or Greek. Translating the meaning from language to language is and has been a challenge. Understanding God’s word for us requires an honest examination of a passage in its original language and the connotations of the words. It is important to know whether the implication of the text was accurately and fully translated into the English. Have translators used different English words for the same Greek or Hebrew word in different passages? For example, in Romans 16:1 Phoebe is called a servant. The Greek word used here is usually translated deacon or minister in verses speaking of men. Why Phoebe is not similarly called a deacon or minister, could it be a play on words?

The next aspect is the historical principle. Without an understanding of the historical setting in which biblical authors were writing, we often miss the radical nature of Scripture in contrast to pagan ways. Reading Paul’s letters to the churches without knowing the historical setting is like listening to one