If and when God begins “using” me, my focus has to remain on being used, and GOD getting all the glory.
As a woman, I respect God’s order, and for the sake of peace, I also respect man’s potential manipulation of that order to a significant extent.
There’s been a huge argument about whether or not WOMEN can be pastors, elders, etc and feelings are getting hurt... it’s sad.
Well you know what, I think it’s very simple and doesn’t need to be sad. Let women like me NOT chase after titles.
For the sake of peace, and to potentially err on the side of caution rather than rebellion, DON’T be a pastor, don’t be called an elder, don’t seek to have titles... JUST DO THE WORK God gives you the gifting to do. Your efficacy in the kingdom is not dependent on a title! Just Serve.
Don’t we remember when the people wanted to enthrone Jesus as king? But it wasn’t appropriate for His will and God’s purpose at the time! What did he do? He took off! But Him not being named king didn’t stop all that Christ continued to do, or Him fulfilling His mission. And the world still awaits the time when He will be crowned King of kings.
We, all of us people in Christendom, but more so women who live in a potentially chauvinistic world, get into trouble when titles become our focus. I’m not phased by the legitimate scripture that says women shouldn’t be pastors or have authority over men. I respect the Word of God; ALL of God’s word. Whether it is limited to a previous era or carried over into the present. As I said, I’d rather err on the side of caution and inhibition, than rebellion and getting out of my lane.
I’m aware that NOT being a pastor has no bearing on whether or not I’ll be ready to share my testimony about the person of Jesus Christ whenever given the opportunity. By myself, or under the headship of a gracious leader who allows me on their platform. On or off a stage, SERVE and be a WITNESS to whoever will listen. THEY give you the choice of whether or not they want to listen to what you have to say. And hopefully you can say it unencumbered by a title and the requirements that come with it.
The woman fighting over the terms pastor, elder, prophetess, apostle, whatever... especially with other men, is probably wasting the valuable time she could be using sharing what knowledge God has given her and her testimony via OTHER NON-titled routes such as social media, books, podcasts, blogs, music... avenues which probably even give you more flexibility and a wider audience reach to proclaim JESUS and not ourselves than the previously mentioned positions which often limit you to a group of people in 4 walls of a specific place.
One of my mottos is #inundatetheairways
In THIS world, there is a reality:
Racism still exists.
Chauvinism still exists.
I’ve been to places where me being black has been an issue. Even for “Christian” people. It’s unfortunate, but true. Nevertheless, I don’t sit there and try to change their minds, I dust my feet, and move on to the next place or opportunity where it’s a non-issue and someone actually WANTS me to share my story.
The same goes for my role in ministry as a woman. The prevailing perspective is that women CANNOT be in certain positions at church. Fabulous. I’m not being insincere she I say I respect and honor that.
Knowing the parameters, I don’t sit there becoming a social justice fighter, a feminist, or a campaigner for a perspective!
THERE IS NO TIME! I’m too busy being an ambassador of Christ. A satisfied customer who tells everyone about him like the Samaritan woman at the well or Prisciller Shirer who made the former statement, 😂
Forget about what you CAN’T be or what title you CAN’T have. How about focusing on what you CAN do.
Oprah is no pastor, yet she reaches billions of people in her own unique way. Mother Theresa was no pastor, yet she reached millions. Michelle Obama is no pastor, yet millions want her insights on matters.
By the way, I’m not saying that “non-Christians” should suddenly be your example.
What I AM saying is that perhaps in Christendom, we have become so focused on titles, we forget that God has uniquely positioned us in an era where as much as those titles are indeed important, they are not the criteria for still being able to “minister” a message to masses of people. So we can take a lesson from the secular world that has figured out how to reach billions without titles. It’s about their message. It’s about their method. It’s about us being wise as serpents but gentle as doves.
Respect order and hierarchy. But if the message you carry is indeed Jesus Christ and not yourself or your own agenda for prideful positioning, you best believe God will make a way for you to proclaim His name. As one of my pastors, the wonderful Fred Hodge once said to my husband and I, God will glorify His name in your names.
... not our titles.
Tomi Favored