women, ladies, lasses

Went to a meeting at Church last night for 'women only'. Earlier this year we had a sermon on 1 Corinthians 14 and the role of women in Church, this raised a lot of issues for the women (and some men) in Church and it was thought to be a good idea for all the women to meet together to explore this further. It was superbly led by Sheree who did a FAB job at keeping the cool and putting it all in a loving, uniting kind of way. Three people gave their views on what the Bible says about what women can do - person one believes that women can do everything that men can in Church, person two believes that women can teach and preach to women and children but not to mixed groups in any setting really, and person three kind of agreed with person one but threw up some more issues about where it says in the Bible go home and ask your husband - but what if you dont have one!!!

So what do i think!!!??? Well first of all i am very glad that my gift is working with children (something that you can do as a women whatever you believe the Bible says!!!) so in some ways it doesnt affect me directly - which is a bit selfish i guess. If i thought i had the gift of teaching and preaching then obvioulsy it would be more of an issue for me!! The big question i have (which person two also had) was to say what about all the women that are doing really good stuff, leading amazing Churches and preaching the word of God powerfully and effectively - are they not called? Does God not like this??? I don't think so!!! Person twos response to this was that she didnt really understand it but she firmly believes that it is wrong and has to trust God that for some reason he would prefer it if they didnt as the Bible says it is wrong!!

Another big thing for me is that does it really matter?? Does God really mind? There are lots of things that true Christians argue and disagree on - baptism, spiritual gifts, womens roles and when we get to heaven and meet God face to face will he really be fussed about our views on such things? Its more important to do what God tells you to, to love him totally and put him before everything and to share the good news of what Jesus has done. Have all the women that preach and teach and lead Churches all heard God wrong? I dont think so!!!!

Pheww!!! What do others think????