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 fiare missing out on the gifts God gave to them to edify and build up the Church.

The Church's restriction of women in leadership teaching, and ministry positions is like 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. Instead, it is forced into a grotesquely misshapen and painful form, making it impossible to walk normally. Outwardly, while covered with an ornately woen shoe, it looks dainty and feminine. But in reality, when you remove the covering and the binding, you find a that . This doesn't just affect the foot, it affects the whole body, which is now unable to function without an unsteady, cautious gait. Similarly, the whole Church is rendered weaker and disabled when certain members are bound and unable to function or grow into all that God intended them to be.

I personally, have grown weary and saddened by the debates, and at this point, less talk and more action seems to be called for. In the end, does it really matter whether or not they think women can lead? If I ever felt God calling me to lead or to minister, I would, and He would make a way. I am not saying it would be easy, but given my early experience in the Church, clearly there are plenty of places and believers who will do not allocate minstry titles merely by gender. I don't know about you, but someetimes I wonder if at this point it just makes sense to  welcomed in one place, I will simply "shake the dust off my sandals" and leave.

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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:

Rachel Held Evans

Ed Cz

Please feel free to add other blogs or book links in the comments!