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  3. A Biblical Vision for Men & Women ‘Serving Together’ in the Local Church

A Biblical Vision for Men & Women ‘Serving Together’ in the Local Church

A Biblical Vision for Men & Women ‘Serving Together’ in the Local Church

 "And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph. 2:22).  

Introduction 

Whenever the subject of men and women in the local church is brought up in conversation, people’s hairs on their skin begin to stick up. Perhaps yours already are! Why is this the case? Why is it that we find it so difficult to talk plainly about the God-given roles of men and women? Why is it that the topic of men’s and women’s roles in the local church has become almost taboo? Well, the truth is there are many reasons for this. And while, it might be interesting to explore these, it is not the primary purpose of this paper to do so. Instead the goal of this position paper is: ‘to consider some of the key Biblical truths and principles for how we ought to, ‘live well’ as men and women (brothers and sisters) in Christ’s church; and to consider how Biblical eldership is one essential part of God’s divine plan to see his people ‘built together’ by His Spirit. It is important to note here that this paper is the distinct position of the session at Scots Presbyterian Church, Cootamundra. That said, my prayer is that you would personally catch God’s vision for men and women as we seek to serve together under Christ’s Lordship. And after catching the vision, my prayer is that you find yourself more and more in love with God and His vision for men and women in the local church, a vision which encompasses all believers; is for the benefit of all believers; and will ultimately bring glory and honour to Jesus Christ – the Head of the church. 

1. God’s House - God’s Rules

 “While you are under my roof you must abide by my rules”. It’s a well-known phrase that most of us have heard or even used before. And whether we have heard this statement used when we were mere infants testing the limits of our parental authority; or whether we have personally used this kind of statement with our own children, the statement is quite clear.  While it might not be the most enjoyable statement to hear or use, it is an important one which carries weight and responsibility. For the infant, child, or young adolescent, hearing this statement could mean a loving rebuke of a disobedient action or mindset. For the Parent it is a reminder of the important role they have as guardians of their children. Interestingly, it doesn’t matter whether you live in a Christian household or not, the same basic principle of who has authority in the family unit remains the same. In-fact, in a court of law it is commonly recognised around the world that parents have the distinct responsibility to exercise their rights in setting household rules for those who are still in their duty of care or under their roof. Scripture repeatedly affirms the distinct role of parents in governing their household and sets out clear guidelines for how this ought to be done. Not surprisingly then, one of the key images that the Bible uses to speak of the local church gathering is the image of a ‘household unit’. The key difference of course is that the local church is a spiritual household which physically gathers and then scatters throughout the week. This spiritual house is none other than – “the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15b). Therefore, if every local church is a small and visible microcosm of the much larger church – the universal church, then there is but one house with one household rules. It is not as though God gives the local churches in Australia one set of rules for how they ought to live and function and then another set of rules for the local churches in Tanzania. No, the God of the church in Tanzania is the same God of the church in Australia. And as children who belong to the one universal family of God, we recognise that at the very foundations of every local church family is submission to our spiritual head - Christ Jesus. The Scriptures repeatedly identify Jesus Christ as the head of the church, thus placing him in the seat of supreme authority, guidance, and discipline.  See Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 1:22-23, and Ephesians 5:23. Therefore when thinking about important doctrines such as ‘eldership’ we must always come first and foremost to Jesus, the one who has established his church and has set the rules. It is the Lord Jesus who alone determines how the church should function until he returns for his beloved bride - the church.   Ultimately, we must always listen to Jesus, who alone is the Head of His Church, His Household, His Family Unit – A Family he purchased by his costly blood (Acts 2:28). It is a good thing then that Jesus has given us clear guidance on how we ought to conduct ourselves in his family. Jesus has not left us without clear instructions for how we ought to live well together in His Household.  That said, let us now consider the Biblical roles of men and women in the local church, remembering that it is Christ Jesus himself who has set in place (confirmed by the apostles’ teachings) the good and proper ways for how his Household ought to live under his loving hand of guidance and authority. 

2. Equal in Value, Yet Distinct in Role 

 I think one of the best places to start when considering the roles of men and women in the local church is to consider the very beginning of the creation narrative. The very first human beings created by God were Adam (a man) and Eve (a woman). Adam and Eve were both created in the image of God and equal in value and worth. Both the man and the woman were placed in God’s loving world and were made to be in a loving relationship with God - their creator. While Adam was created first, he was not seen as more important to God than Eve. And yet Adam and Eve were assigned distinct roles in their relationship with one another. Roles which were actually reversed on that fateful day when they rebelled against God’s good commands. Adam was called by God to be the loving Head in the relationship with his wife. He was called to bear the responsibility of leadership. He was called to lead his wife as he himself submitted to God. The NT writers pick up on these distinctions. For example, 1 Corinthians 11:3, “"But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God". Eve on the other hand was called by God to be Adam’s ‘Helper’. This is not some derogatory word but rather a beautiful picture of God’s good design for humanity and life in the Garden. Eve, was to lovingly help her husband by encouraging him in his God-ordained responsibility to be the leader in their relationship together. She was to help him by submitting to his Headship in the marriage relationship, and support him in his role as the leader in the family household unit. She was to also help him rule over God’s good creation and importantly help him in God’s command to produce Image bearing offspring, who would fill the earth God made. Eve’s role was not lesser than Adams just distinctively different. Indeed, even God the Son (Jesus) submits to God the Father (e.g. John 6:38). Jesus’ joyful submission to the Father does not equal lesser than. What is clear is that Jesus has a distinct role to that of God the Father, and while he is in very nature God, he does not consider his equality with the God Head something to take advantage of (see Philippians 2:6-11). The problem is, unlike Jesus’ perfect relationship to God the Father, human beings have since the ‘Fall’, been in a continuous wrestling match over gender-roles. Roles which God created and importantly have not changed. This understanding that men and women are created equal before God and yet also created with distinct gender-roles is the viewpoint of many Christians and is often given the name ‘complementarianism’. This view sees men and women as equal before God in worth and yet distinct in roles which actually complement each other. The design blue print we see from Genesis is that men and women are called to work together for the good of each other; and live out their God-ordained roles for the glory of God. We are meant to see men and Women as equally created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-28). Likewise, due to our first parents’ sin, we are all equally fallen in sin (Rom. 3:23. But the good news is for those in Christ Jesus we are now equally redeemed (Gal. 3:28), and are co-heirs of eternal life (1 Pet. 3:7). 

3. Eldership - A Gospel Issue

 One of the biggest divisive issues that exists within many local churches is the hot topic issue of who can be an elder/pastor or who can teach/preach when the local church gathers together. For many people the word pastor/elder is synonymous with preaching/teaching and so the debate often boils down to the question of “who can be an elder/pastor in the local church?”.  Whenever this topic of eldership is breached among congregational members or the debate arises at a denominational level there appears be two primary responses to the subject. The first response is to dismiss the debate altogether and appeal to unity and a focus on doing gospel ministry. The second response is to welcome the debate and appeal to scripture as the authority on the matter, seeing this as an issue with huge gospel ramifications. So which is the correct approach? Well, as a church family, we should always be focussing on our unity in the gospel and seeking to not get caught up in endless debates so that our love for Jesus and each other does not grow cold. And yet at the same time we always want to appeal to scripture as we seek to be obedient to King Jesus in all areas of our life. This means that we cannot simply ignore important doctrine. Unity for the sake of unity is not the goal, instead we must, out of love for God and his word, wrestle with Scripture and then seek to obey it, trusting that obedience to God will always produce good Gospel fruit. In-fact the Great Commission of Jesus provides the local church with a helpful guide. In Matthew chapter 28:18-20 we read: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Here Jesus commissions his disciples to go and make more disciples who love and serve Jesus. But did you notice the main characteristic of this discipleship? Apart from baptism (the physical sign of God’s cleansing and washing away of one’s sins), the primary focus of the discipleship will be a deep and rich spiritual education camp. You don’t just tell someone the gospel and that’s it. No discipleship is all about teaching new-believers to obey all of Jesus’ teachings. Therefore, ‘eldership,’ which happens to be a key teaching in the New Testament actually forms a key part of the discipleship journey and in turn impacts how the gospel is proclaimed. The question we should always be asking ourselves is, what would Jesus have us do? How would Jesus want us to be living and functioning as a local gathering of believers? How will being obedient to Jesus impact the gospel? In this way we might say that everything is in a sense a ‘gospel issue’, because how we live as the local church matters to Jesus and His gospel. 

4. What is a Shepherd-elder?

 So what is an elder? and who can, or better yet, who should be one? The term elder in the Bible means “pastor elders”, “shepherd elders, or simply “pastors”. The image of first century Shepherds leading, feeding and protecting their sheep is God’s chosen image for the local church. It is a beautiful picture of how God views his people and relates to his people. It is also an image which is meant to ultimately point us to Christ – the Chief Shepherd of the sheep. All other shepherds are really under-shepherds who importantly, are appointed by Jesus to the task of shepherding. The very fact that we have Shepherd elders in the local church is a testimony to God’s unrelenting love for his people. Jesus has not left individual believers with the task of fending for themselves. No, instead Jesus has lovingly established and equipped a healthy spiritual leadership. The primary task of this leadership is to spiritually feed, protect and lead the flock of God under their care.     This is not a business model. A Shepherd elder is, according to Jesus, called to lead the flock of God not from a position of power but from a position of humility. Shepherd elders are to, like Jesus, be servant-hearted as they lead and love the flock in their care. So who then can/should be a shepherd elder? Well, thankfully the Scriptures are not ambiguous about this important doctrine. As we have already seen, the local church leadership is modelled off the family unit. It is no surprise then that the Scriptures repeatedly teach a male-only eldership/headship in the church body. However, while eldership is only open to men it is not open to all men. Only those who are Biblically Qualified are able to be a shepherd elder. In this next section we will consider the Biblical qualification for elders/pastors. 

5. Biblical Qualifications

Shepherd elders must be godly men who confess the faith 

The Biblical pattern of the Bible is that elders must be godly men who confess the faith. Importantly, eldership is not a NT concept birthed in existence when the church came into being. In the OT, elders were godly men called by God to lead the people of God. We see this pattern from Exodus onwards (see for example Exodus 3:16, 18). A number of OT passages refer to elders as “men” (Num. 11:16, 24–26; Deut. 29:10; Judg. 8:14; Ruth 4:2; 1 Kings 21:11; Ezek. 8:11). In the NT, we see that named Jewish elders were men (Mark 14:53; Luke 23:30; John 3:1; Acts 5:34; 23:1, 6). In Acts 20:17, 28 the apostle Paul calls the “elders” of the church to meet him, and then addresses the same men as “overseers”. In Titus 1:5, 7 Paul charges Titus to appoint “elders in every town” and then refers these men using the term “overseer”. A clear indication that the position of eldership is only open to godly men is that in both the OT and NT, “elders” who hold office are always described using the masculine form of the word “elder” and the Bible never employs the feminine form of the word “elder” for a person holding eldership office. While some have argued that the NT is only limiting the position of eldership to men for the original readers in their particular cultural context, the Bible is abundantly clear that these regulations are not limited to a particular time in church history, but are meant for the whole church, in all ages, until Christ returns. The apostle Paul writes to Timothy and the local church in Ephesus with the larger church in view. In 1 Timothy 3 Paul lays out the qualifications for overseers in the church and then ends the section by declaring that these instructions are given so that Timothy (who happens to be a young pastor-elder) might “…know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). 

Furthermore, the qualifications of an elder being a ‘godly man’ is not based on limited due to some first-century cultural thinking about men and women. Paul grounds his teaching in creation and the Fall ( 1 Tim. 2:13–15). The reason for a shepherd elder being a man is rooted in the creation narrative, which includes the God ordained roles for men and women. But of course eldership is not simply open to any and every man who confesses the faith. 

Shepherd elders must be men of exemplary Christ-like character 

Sheperd elders must be men who humbly lead and serve in Christ-like ways. (1 Tim. 3:1–7; Tit. 1:5–9).The NT gives us clear descriptions of what an elder-overseer must be like in terms of character. Here are the key characteristics of a shepherd elder that the NT provides: 

  • A man who is temperate and gentle, not violent and combative or lacking self-control (1 Tim. 3:2-3; Tit. 1:7). He is not given over to anger but is practising the discipline of godliness. The fruits of the Spirit are evident. 
  • A man who is above reproach and (if he is married), is faithful to His wife (1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:6).
  • A man who is able to  “manage his own household well, with all dignity (1 Tim. 3:4–5; cf. Tit. 1:6). They must be leading their family and discipling their children in the instruction of the Lord (Eph. 6:4).
  • A man who is not a recent convert and is respectable among believers and unbelievers (1 Tim. 3:2).
  • A man who is not in love with money, or doing things for dishonest gain (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7). A man who is hospitable towards people and loves what is good (Tit. 1:8).
  • A man who is not given to drunkenness (1 Tim. 3:3; Tit. 1:7).

 Along with these characteristics an elder must also be able to teach and lead.

Shepherd elders must be men who are “able to teach” and able to lead 

The Bible is clear that character always trumps competence, and yet competence to teach and lead is still necessary. In 1 Timothy 3:2, 4-5 we read that an elder-overseer “must be ... able to teach” and “rule”. This does not mean every elder must be a gifted preacher. Primarily what is in mind here is a thorough knowledge of the gospel and Jesus’ teachings. A shepherd elder must be able to clearly declare the fundamental truths of the gospel, defend the core truths of the gospel and teach the whole council of God (Acts 20:27). Sheperd elders must be able to instruct people in the faith and refute those who teach what is false (Tit. 1:9). Again, this teaching position is only open to biblically qualified men. The immediate context here prohibits women from “teaching” “teaching” or “exercising authority” over men (1 Tim. 2:12). 

Shepherd elders must be men who have a conviction and calling 

While one might meet the qualifications of character, competence and confession, this does not mean one is automatically an elder. One of the key attributes of an elder is a deep inner conviction and an outer calling to be a shepherd elder. “Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.”(1 Tim. 3:1). Ultimately it is God’s Spirit which calls and equips men to the position of eldership in the local church. Therefore, a deep desire and even a burden to take on this role is needed. Likewise the local church leadership (supported by the congregation) ought to recognise the calling on these men and encourage them to consider using their God-given pastor-teacher/shepherd-elder gift for the benefit of the larger body of Christ, the flock of God (1 Tim. 4:14; 1 Tim. 5:22). 

6. Male-only eldership is not male-only ministry

   One might be tempted to see the focus in the NT on establishing godly men as shepherd elders as a male-only ministry. And yet this could not be further from the truth. The word “ministry” is a broad category which includes all of God’s people. All believers are called to do ministry and to minister to each other. Indeed the NT paints a wonderful picture of men and women working together as “co-workers” in the Lord (e.g. Rom. 16:3, 6, 7, 12). Likewise women are still called to “teach”. The older women in the church are called to “teach what is good and so train the young women ...” (Tit. 2:3–4). Paul encourages all believers to teach one another, “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) and “teach and admonish one another” (Col. 3:16). A male only eldership is not a male only ministry. Due to the Fall, there will also be a struggle in this area, just as there will be in so many other areas of personal and relational life outside the local gathering. The challenge is to not fall prey to the cultural trends of our day or even popularised Christian trends. If we truly believe the Bible to be the authoritative Word of God and if the Scriptures are clear on the roles of men and women, then it is never appropriate to go against God’s good guidelines for his church. God never calls us to ignore his commands that good may abound. 

7. The Goal is Love.  

 The goal should always be motivated and driven by love. Love for God and love for others. The local church is not only a flock lead by spiritually qualified men (shepherd-elders) but it is a body of Spirit gifted people who minister before the Lord and to each other. While we might be tempted to sit back and let the Shepherds do the heavy lifting, the truth is it is not the sole responsibility of the elders to care for the local church body. The Scriptures are clear that God has through His Spirit equipped every member in the body with spiritual gifts given for the purpose of edifying one another. All church members are equipped for works of service. Therefore, the shepherd-elders are highly dependent upon the gifts and skills of others. One of the key roles of an elder is to then encourage the Saints to use their God-given gifts for God’s kingdom purposes, and for the good of each other. Consider the following verses below. 1 Peter 4: 8,10 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins… Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. Romans 12:4-8 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Eph. 4:11-12 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up When we understand spiritual gifts rightly, we become far less focussed on what we want, or what we can or cannot do, and far more concerned about what God wants and what he has called us to do. God has not given the church spiritual gifts such as Eldership as a means for division but rather as a means for spiritual growth. To see spiritual gifts rightly is to see them as communal gifts not simply personal gifts. Spiritual gifts are given for the benefit of all believers. No gift is greater than another, just distinct in how they are be rightly used in the local church gathering, which is the Household of God. Therefore, if your gift is encouragement, then use it well to encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ; If your gift is serving then serve from a humble heart of gratitude for all that God has done for you in Christ Jesus; If your gift is giving, then give generously and not out of compulsion; if your gift is showing mercy then show mercy to others without cost and from a heart of kindness and love; if your gift is being a shepherd elder then lead and teach faithfully as you serve underneath the Chief Shepherd – Christ Jesus. 

8. The Bigger Picture

 Understanding the Biblical vision for men and women working together under Christ is essential for understanding the bigger picture of the Gospel. The Biblical roles of men and women are perhaps best seen in the marriage relationship. In Ephesians chapter 5 the apostle Paul instructs Christian Households in how they ought to live as co-workers in Christ. Wives are called to submit to their husbands as they do the Lord (Eph. 1:22). While this word “submit” has got a bad rap over the years, it is not a negative or derogative word. Paul is encouraging the women to allow their husbands to lead them as they have been established as the head in the marriage relationship (remember Genesis here). And importantly, the submission to their husband is a submission to Christs Lordship over their life. Likewise, Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25). Men in the marriage marriage relationship are called to in love lay down their own lives, their own selfish ambitions and consider their wife’s needs above themselves. When wives respect their husbands and their leadership role and husbands love their wives, the marriage relationship is most healthy and God-honouring. But here’s the thing, the marriage relationship is really a big picture of the gospel. Paul goes on to say that he is ultimately talking about Christ and the church (Eph. 5:32). The ultimate marriage relationship is between Jesus (the Husband) and the church (the wife). The church is married to Jesus. Jesus has loved the church, sacrificially laid down his own life for the church. And the churches response now ought to be submission to Jesus and His loving Leadership. One of the ways that we love and submit to Jesus is by obeying his commands. Commands such as: loving one another (John 13:35); serving one another (Galatians 5:13); using our God-given gifts (1 Peter 4:10); and listening to God’s Biblical vision for men and women serving together in the local church.

Conclusion  

This paper has looked at some of the key Biblical truths and principles for how we ought to, ‘live well’ as men and women (brothers and sisters) in Christ’s church; and has considered how Biblical eldership is one essential part of God’s divine plan to see his people ‘built together’ by His Spirit. May you continue to see God’s vision for men and women serving together under Christ’s Lordship. And as you do, may you find yourself more and more in love with God and His vision for the local church. And finally, may we all continue to prayerfully consider how we can best use our God-given gifts to love and serve one another, both in the gathered and scattered church setting. May we all joyfully work together as we allow the gospel to shape how we live in this world.