When I was a young woman trying to map out the path my life would take me, I often struggled with whether or not I should be go into ministry. There was never a question about whether or not I could be a minister, for to me, there was no reason I could not. From my first steps as new believer reading the Bible for the first time, to now, as a mature believer who has read in-depth translations, studies and commentaries regarding what Paul said to women in the Church, and has heard enough theological debates on whether or not women should 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 actually question that women could be ministers. 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," my struggle was only internal: as a Christian was I obligated to be in ministry, even if I didn't want to be a pastor or a missionary?

My struggle as a young women was because I felt that to serve God, I must be in a recognized ministry position-- be it pastor, missionary, evangelist, or an otherwise ordained minister. But, it turns out, I don't have to have a ministry title to minister. I can do it as 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. Really, those thatt have ministered to me the most and drawn me closer to God haven't held ministry titles. It has been the friend who has known me for years who lets me make mountains out of mole hills and talk me down when I imagine the worst out of a very silly situation, other Christians who bare themselves online, showing what real grave, love and mercy aree, and even secular musicians whose music somehow speaks to a place of redemption that can only lead you back to Christ.

It seems such a sillly thing to be arguing about titles and power. But that's what it is-- the argument is about whether or not women can minister. It's about whether they can have authority and lead.  And it may seem odd that, as a woman who absolutely no desire to preach or pastor or lead a worship team, or really lead in any "titled" capacity, I have strong passion to see women able to do so. But I do, because I know that in hindering them from fully using their gifts and callings can only mean that we are missing out on their gifts and callings.

I am not going to list all theological arguments expounding on what the Bible supposedly says or doesn't say regarding women leading in the Church, because it has been debated eloquently and scripturally (on both sides of the argument) many times over, as well as debated by fits of yelling and name calling perhaps just as many times. Instead, if you want more information on the argument for women in ministry, please check out: Rachel Held Evans link, Women in Ministry Link, or read : (book suggestions).  If any of you readerss have other recommendations, please leave a link or author and book name in the comments.

I personally, have grown weary and saddened by the debates, and at this point, I don't really care to argue about it. Because, it doesn't really matter whether or not they think women can lead; if I ever felt God calling me to lead or to minister, I will, and He will make a way. Given my early experience in the Church, clearly there are plenty of places and believers who will make room for a mi If I am not welcome in one place, I will simply "shake the dust off my sandals" and leave.

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