Jump to content
ClubAdventist is back!

Male and Female Roles in the Church


Paul Beach

Recommended Posts

Okay, we know that this is going to get a lot of discussion, but, although being a fictional organization, we thought it might be interesting to find out what our fellow members thought of the issue of the roles that men and women play in the church.

Please rate the following on a scale of 0-5 with 0 meaning you think it is morally wrong, 1 meaning you think it is uncomfortable and then going up to 5 if you are completely comfortable with the idea.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

I was pretty comfortable with all of these - the only ones that were awkward were the deacon/deaconess things where the roles are set up with a particular sex in mind. Makes more sense to me to do some structural changes that foxus on the roles and duties, rather than on the sexes of the participants, rather than to just include women in what's identified (for no good reason) as a men's ministry and vice versa.

Truth is important

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Greetings,

Wow, there are lots of responses to this poll! It's funny how hot a topic gender roles in the church can be. Some people understand certain aspects to be very serious and scriptural while others see them as a cultural issue. Then there is the issue of how comfortable people are. For instance, some people might find it difficult to have a woman perform a wedding even if they do not have a spiritual aversion to it.

What makes this such a rich topic is that all these layers exist. Sometimes people can say something in a religious way, but it may be only cultural for them, or sometimes people who have studied something develop a theological framework for their opinions.

Anyway, we are looking to see the poll results just as much as you are!

Seasons Greetings!

The Memorial Foundation

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We should probably have clarified that when we talked about "comfort" we just wanted to know what it would be like for you to experience the situation referenced, not necessarily whether you like the idea. Sometimes you can intellectually agree with an idea, but when you see it you're still not comfortable. We hope this helps.

Memorial Foundation

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

We just have deacons at our church - as in male and female, that removes any classification problems. Ditto with elders, I am very glad they never thought to call the female elders shepherdesses. <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

Are women anywhere given a level of responsbility where they can perform baptisms in the SDA church? That is asked from a genuinely not knowing standpoint.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The only area I had a problem with was the same some others expressed; that of deacon and deaconess. Seems tome that these roles are given in the Bible and that makes a difference.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm perfectly fine with men in kilts. <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/23_30_104.gif" alt="" />

<p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I would wear a kilt without hesitation as I live in the tropics and it would be cooler and more comfortable than pants. However I don't because everyone I would meet would think I am gay and I suspect a lot of people would stare at me when I go out shopping. So I submit to the sexist oppression of society and stay with jeans.

Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com

Author of  Peculiar Christianity

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Shane, I would truly object to wearing a kilt if you didn't wear one that went 2 inches below the knee and if you didn't wear panty hose.

At any rate, I am glad that you do, indeed, see some sexist oppression going on in the world.

(By the way, so what if people think you are gay? You're not are you?)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If I was gay then I would be free to wear a kilt, Wouldn't I? I mean our society lets gay guys dress like women.

As for Prince Charles, well he can get away with it since Scottland is part of his kingdom. Dressing like them is no big deal.

Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com

Author of  Peculiar Christianity

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Society lets any of us dress any way we want. Sometimes we get thrown in jail if we go beyond what the law permits, but other than those boundaries (which are not very strict) there is no limit as to what men or women can wear.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Nan said:

Are women anywhere given a level of responsbility where they can perform baptisms in the SDA church? That is asked from a genuinely not knowing standpoint.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

The short answer is yes, absolutely. Female pastors in the SDA Church have been baptizing for quite a few years now. Our own female associate pastor just baptized 3 young people a couple weeks ago that she had been studying with.

Tom

"Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good."

"Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal."

"I love God only as much as the person I love the least."

*Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth.

(And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Personally, I think my man in a kilt is wonderful! He's got great legs...

<img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/23_30_104.gif" alt="" />

Clio

P.S. I look good in the matching feminine version of clan colors too. <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/coolhello.gif" alt="" />

A heart where He alone has first place.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Michael, as long as we are in church and we all love God this is a very moot forum We all have a roll in church equally as long as we love the Lord and work for Him. . Maybe there is no male and female rolls to God as far as serving him goes. Of course organization will delegate duties, but most of them can be done by anyone. Is God a respecter of persons? If a church is of one accord, indeed they can all fulfill whatever is at hand.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Then perhaps their attention is not where it should be?

And that question, BTW, is sincere and not an attempt to stir the debate.

If we are hung up on roles, does this indeed function as a marker that perhaps our attention is somewhere other than Jesus?

Clio

A heart where He alone has first place.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Shane, I would truly object to wearing a kilt if you didn't wear one that went 2 inches below the knee and if you didn't wear panty hose.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Well, I, for one, having seen a picture or two of a full bodied Shane, would object to his wearing a kilt, pantyhose or none. <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

And I wouldn't be caught dead in one, either! I'd just a soon go to church, on a hot sabbath, in trousers hemmed at the knees, along with other clothing. Women are much more adept at keeping thier knees together than men...and I don't think that men can do an adequate job of it, iether, said embarrassingly.

And while I will not stand in the way of men going to church in kilts, that may not stop my tongue from clucking [please note, it is not wagging, just clucking!] with the appropriate eyesroll....

<img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.

 

George Bernard Shaw

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

The Bible presents "deacons" as a church office.

It woud be possible for a female deacon to assist a female in baptism, and that is exactly what happens in some chruches.

Gregory

Link to comment
Share on other sites

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

And while I will not stand in the way of men going to church in kilts, that may not stop my tongue from clucking [please note, it is not wagging, just clucking!] with the appropriate eyesroll....

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

A fine example of why I do not wear a kilt.

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Women are much more adept at keeping thier knees together than men...

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

I think one is to wear boxers under their kilt. <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Pastoral Family Counselor... Find me at www.PostumCafe.com

Author of  Peculiar Christianity

Link to comment
Share on other sites

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

I think one is to wear boxers under their kilt.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

That is NOT what I saw when Mel Gibson wore them for Braveheart on the Tonight Show!.... <img src="/ubbtreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.

 

George Bernard Shaw

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

I think one is to wear boxers under their kilt.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

True Scotsmen go commando.

<p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">"Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you."</span></span> Eph 4:29</span><br><br><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetemp_both/US/OR/Fairview.gif" alt="Fairview.gif"> Fairview Or</p>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

If you find some value to this community, please help out with a few dollars per month.



×
×
  • Create New...