For the past couple of years of high school I have really been interested in youth ministry or counseling. This year for my gr.12 work experience through my school I am working along side my youth pastor. I have learned a lot about what it means to be a youth pastor and all the things that go along with it. The only dilemma I have is that I am a girl. Maybe this doesn't make a difference to you but it does to a lot of people around where I live. I was wondering what you thought about this whole subject because there is so many different opinions and beliefs. I have looked into scripture a lot and I ask lots of different people about it and what they believe but I always come out with both sides. I want to do what Gods calling me to do but if women aren't suppose to become preachers then how do I justify my calling?
Holly, Winkler, MB Canada
Answer
Holly,
Thanks for the email. I appreciate the question.
First. Do you have your head covered? Because if you don't, you're dishonoring your head!!!
Oh, wait. I must be referring to the 1 Cor. 11:5 passage that says, “And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head–it is just as though her head were shaved.” But that's just cultural. Right? It's not true now.
Oh, but 1 Cor. 14:34 ISN'T cultural when it says “women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.”
Well which is it. Are they both cultural things that aren't to be kept literally now, or are they both the letter of the law, never to be violated.
I find it funny that a bunch of people who somehow try to convince others that women shouldn't teach, but they somehow conveniently DON'T believe that they need to keep their heads covered.
Holly, a few months ago my pastor came up to me and told me that he wanted to hire a youth worker to work with junior high. He asked me who I thought was one of the best youth workers that I had met across the country. Without hesitating I told him “Susan Eaton.” Susan goes to a church of a few hundred in Covington Kentucky, and she runs an incredible youth program. One of the best in the field — and she doesn't wear a bonnet in church either.
No, I'm not opening the door to other things and saying that we should allow people living in sin to teach (don't even go there). But Apostle Paul himself complimented Priscilla's teaching. I don't think the issue with women in the church is real clear. And it's not like we're dealing with a moral issue like sexual sin, deceit, malice, etc. We're talking gender here!
Holly. No one's going to agree on this point. What you need to do is find a denomination that is supportive of your beliefs and find a leadership position in that church. Email me if you'd like some specific suggestions.
I hope that helps. (Because I just lost a bunch of readers!)
Jonathan
The Source for Youth Ministry
www.TheSource4YM.com
