When I was a young woman trying to map out the course of my life before me, I often struggled with whether or not I should go into ministry. It was never a question of whether or not I could be a minister, for to me, there was no reason I could not. From my days as a new believer reading the Bible for the very first time, to now, as a more mature believer having read in-depth translations, studies and commentaries regarding what Paul said to women in the Church, and having heard innumerous theological debates on whether women should or should not be in Church leadership and ministry, the scriptures have only reinforced to me that God has used and continues to use both men and women to tend to His sheep.

Perhaps, because of my Lutheran, Charismatic and Pentecostal background, for many years, it did not even occur to me that anyone would question that women could be ministers. It seemed so obvious to me that we could, just as much as anyonee. Only in recent years have I been shocked out of this ignorance to find what a hotly debated topic this is in Christendom. I thank God that I made it through my formitave years as a Christian blissfully unaware of this. I was very fortunate; unlike some women who long to fulfill a calling preaching the word or pastoring a church only to be rejected or stifled by voices saying, "You do not have the right equipment to lead," I had no outward resistance, only an internal struggle: as a Christian was I obligated to be in ministry, even if I didn't want to be a pastor or a missionary?

This internal conflict was because I felt called to serve God, and I thought that meant I must be in a recognized ministry position-- be it pastor, missionary, evangelist, or otherwise ordained minister. But, as I eventually realized, I don't have to have a ministry title or position if God calls me to minister. For, He calls all of us to minister. (Scripture verse). Sure, I can minister as a pastor, but I can also minister as a violist on a worship team, as a wife and a mother, as a writer, as a friend, and as a random stranger in a coffee shop. When I think back to those who have ministered to me the most and drawn me closer to God, the majority held no ministry titles. Instead, it was the friend who gladly was the sounding post when I needed to vent without judgment or condemnation, as well as the voice of gentle correction in love when I was off track;  it was other Christian bloggers who bared themselves online, showing what ferocious grace, love and mercy are; it was even bands, both Christian and secular, whose music somehow spoke to a place of redemption and drew me to Christ in a time of pain and betrayal. Once, on a particularly bad day, it was simply someone ahead of me in the Starbucks drive-through who paid for my $5 mocha.

So, then, the question isn't really about who can or who can't minister. No, it's about who can hold what ministry titles and positions and power. It may seem odd that, as a woman who has absolutely no desire to preach or pastor or lead a worship team, or really lead in any "titled" capacity at all, I have such a strong passion to see other women have the opportunity to do so. But I do, because I know that in hindering them from the fulness of their callings also means were are hindering the Church. For, are not these ministry gifts given to edify and build up the Church?

This restriction of women in leadership, teaching, and ministry positions is analogous to the ancient Chinese practice of foot binding. In order to conform to a standard of femininity, part of the body of Christ has been broken and tightly bound, unable to grow to its fully intended size.  It is then covered with a delicate shoe, so that outwardly it appears to be dainty, feminine and beautiful. But in reality, underneath it has taken a painfully misshapen and painful form, making it impossible to walk or move normally. This doesn't just affect the foot, it affects the whole body, which is now forced to walk with an unbalanced and cautious gait. The whole Body of Christ is rendered weaker and suffers when certain members are unnaturally bound and unable to function or grow into all that God intended them to be.

I don't know about you, but I have grown weary and saddened by the debates and conersations that seem to lead to merely more debates. At some point, more words are merely just white noise. At what point can we, when our gifts are not received in the church, simply "shake the dust off our sandals" and move on?

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*I did not expound on thee theological arguments for women in ministry and Church leadership  in this article, as it has already been thoroughly and eloquently written about by many other authors. If you are interested in reading more about this subject, I recommend the following:

Blogs

<a href="http://inamirrordimly.com/">Ed Cyzewski</a> - Ed has an entire series called <a href="http://inamirrordimly.com/the-women-in-ministry-series-home-page/">Women in Ministry</a> that is comprised of guest posts dedicated to encouraging women to pursue their God-given callings.
<p style="text-align: left"><a href="http://rachelheldevans.com/">Rachel Held Evans</a> - Rachel frequently writes about issues related to women in the church and women in ministry. My favorite post of hers so far on this topic is <a href="http://rachelheldevans.com/daughters-will-prophesy">"...Your Daughters Will Prophesy</a>"</p>
<p style="text-align: left">Books</p>
<p style="text-align: left">Scot McKnight - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Junia-Is-Not-Alone-ebook/dp/B006H4PFZ8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1323117985&amp;sr=8-6">Junia Is Not Alone</a></p>
<p style="text-align: left">John T. Bristow - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/What-Paul-Really-About-Women/dp/0060610638/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top">What Paul Really Said About Women</a></p>
Please feel free to add other blogs or book links in the comments!

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