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The Biblical Example
"Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1:26-27
"Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means." - Luke 8:1-3
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you." - Romans 16:1-6
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatains 3:27-28
"Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet." - 1 Timothy 2:11-12 ¹
"Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means." - Luke 8:1-3
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you." - Romans 16:1-6
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatains 3:27-28
"Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet." - 1 Timothy 2:11-12 ¹
¹ This is one of the most difficult passages to deal with in scripture surrounding the treatment of and opportunities afforded to women in the church. We humbly stand in line with the cultural and contextual research done by the vast array of NT scholars placing these words in a specific context dealing with issues of 1st century challenges both specific to Ephesus and the larger Roman context. These words likely speak more to the issues of wealthy women seeking positions of influence by means of promiscuity and bribery. Paul’s words urge faithful women to take on a posture so as to not be associated with a fringe cultural movement. For more information see: Philip H. Towner, The Letters of Timothy and Titus, NIC, Eerdmans, 2006.; And, Bruce W. Winter, Roman Wives, Roman Widows: The Appearance of New Women and the Pauline Communities, Eerdmans, 2003.
The Picture at LCC
At Longview Christian Church, we believe that men and women are absolutely equal in dignity and value and are complementary by divine design. We believe that all Christians are charged with the Great Commission, and each person, man and woman, has been blessed with skills and personalities that are absolutely integral to the advancement of the Kingdom.
There is a unique and beautiful way that God has blessed each of those who bear his image. Some of those blessings are bolstered by characteristics traditionally associated with gender roles while others are connected to the unique fingerprints of God on each person. We acknowledge the tension and recognize a person's gender can inform their role in the kingdom, but does not always legislate it. For this reason, we encourage all men and women to actively participate in the life of the church, including roles of teaching and leadership in alignment with how they have been specifically gifted.
At LCC, the highest levels of leadership follow the designed pattern best seen in the New Testament Church interpreted for our context. For this reason, we reserve the role of Elder and Lead Minister for certain qualified men within the church.
Though we recognize the complementary nature of man and woman, we strongly denounce any theological position and distorted view of scripture that contributes to the belief that biblical manhood or womanhood includes or permits practices of marginalization, subjugation, intimidation, neglect or any form of abuse.
There is a unique and beautiful way that God has blessed each of those who bear his image. Some of those blessings are bolstered by characteristics traditionally associated with gender roles while others are connected to the unique fingerprints of God on each person. We acknowledge the tension and recognize a person's gender can inform their role in the kingdom, but does not always legislate it. For this reason, we encourage all men and women to actively participate in the life of the church, including roles of teaching and leadership in alignment with how they have been specifically gifted.
At LCC, the highest levels of leadership follow the designed pattern best seen in the New Testament Church interpreted for our context. For this reason, we reserve the role of Elder and Lead Minister for certain qualified men within the church.
Though we recognize the complementary nature of man and woman, we strongly denounce any theological position and distorted view of scripture that contributes to the belief that biblical manhood or womanhood includes or permits practices of marginalization, subjugation, intimidation, neglect or any form of abuse.