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haven't really come to an understanding or conviction in terms of female leaders (in the church).

Hey:

Thanks so much for the email, and for being sensitive to sensitive areas. I appreciate your willingness to bring that up, as well as to be submissive to the Lord, knowing His way is best, rather than look for loop holes to find ways to still do what you want to do.

I'm kind of where you are with respect to this. This is what I've come up with so far. I'm strapped a bit for time, so please pardon the fact that I'm just going to write from the top of my head, and may not cite the appropriate Scripture at this time:

- With respect to public positions of leadership held within the local church, men are God's designated regular public leaders - with respect to teaching, worship leading, preaching, exercising authority in church matters, both in public proclamation and in determining church policy and direction. (1Tim. 2)

With that said, women teach us so much, influence so much, and indirectly help influence church direction. It just isn't spelled out as an official "job description."

Honestly, I have been a little uncomfortable having women be the primary worship leaders in our services, though I obviously have no problem with them being part of the team, leading in song, etc.

I also am ok with a woman occasionally sharing her story/testimony, bringing encouragement, etc., in a Sunday morning local church service under the authority of male leadership, not as the teacher in authority, per se, instructing men via exposition, but sharing something unique to her life (fyi, I talked to Joni about this, and she feels the same way; though she occasionally will share at a local church service, she makes sure to let me know it's always under male leadership, and not her regular position. She shares more than she teaches)

I also have practically made the loose determination for the sphere of the general American context that "men" constitute post high school age. Thus, I'm ok with women teaching both genders up through high school.

- Now, with respect to ministries outside the local church (i.e. para church conferences, events, etc.), I don't think it's quite as tight, though I think it's still better for the general rule of thumb (even in these ministries) to be male led, though perhaps not as stringent as for the local church.

For instance, I'm comfortable that Joni has been a plenary speaker at Ligonier, Desiring God, RZIM conferences, or with Beth Moore at Passion. I'm also ok with women worship leaders at these conferences. Now, with that being said, I would feel funny if the conference were all (or predominantly) women led, both in worship and/or teaching.

This may be just personal, but I also get a funny feeling when women teach authoritatively in a man-like manner (i.e. Joyce Meyer, some of those women preachers on TV, and sometimes, even Beth Moore).

I know that some people will argue that women are never to lead men in anything, some will argue that women are never to lead men in anything spiritual, inside the local church or out of it (as all Christians are the church), etc. I guess I haven't arrived at that conclusion yet, but I am definitely cognizant and sensitive to it, and I do believe that men are to be the leaders in the local church, and in the marriage and family specifically, and, generally, the leaders outside the local church, though not as exclusively.

Let me know what you think.

Thank you,

Arthur

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Total Devotion is the High School Fellowship at Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles.

Total Devotion meets on every Friday night from 730 PM to 10 PM in Room 131 except for the last Friday of each month.