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 for both perspectives regarding women in leadership and ministry,the scriptures have only reinforced this to me.

Perhaps, because of my Lutheran, Charismatic and Pentecostal background, for many years, I did not even occur to me that anyone would actually question whether women could be ministers. It was only in recent years that I was chagrined to find out 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 lucky-- unlike some women who long to fulfill a calling preaching the word or pastoring a church but feel stifled by voices saying, "You do not have the right equipment to lead", my struggle was whether I was obligated to be in ministry, even if I didnt' want to be a pastor or a missionary

And really, the question isn't about women ministering, is it? For we are all called to minister, aren't we? 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.

I don't want to go into a theological debate regarding what the Bible says regarding women leading in the Church, because it seems like it has been debated eloquently and scripturally (on both sides of the argument). 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 you have any other recommendations, please leave a link or author and book name in the comments. I think that this issue is being tackled in the Christian blogosphere and in ministry circles someetimes with great grace, but for the most part it seems like a lot of yelling, with very little listening. So, for me, I don't really care to argue about it. Because, if God has called me to lead or to minister, I will, and He will make a way. GGiven my early experience in the Church, clearly there are plenty of places and believers who will make room for a woman's gift. If I am not welcome in one place, I will simply "shake the dust off my sandals" and leave.

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