Women, What to do?

So there's this thing that has been snagged on my heart lately, I've discussed it with my mom and some of my friends. It's a little touchy with some people but sometimes touchy subjects (which aren't touched on much at all) need to be addressed. Even by just the individual, such as myself.

First of all, in my mind I'm asking, where are all the Christian women role models? There are many good Christian women who are wonderful, and fortunately I have a few good Christian women role models (All of which are older than me, some ten, twenty years). I say that not to embarrass anyone about their age because they are all still beautiful, youthful women of whom I would never want to insult. I say this because;

a) Maybe it does take time to really be at the point where you can be a role model for young women.

b) Or maybe we as women have become so inward looking and not understanding of the need for strong Christian women, who even through admitting their flaws still understand who they are, and their purpose.

These are not concrete statements of my unfaltering belief, these are questions. I find that even within myself I look inside and dwell on my shortcomings instead of trying to achieve that "betterness" I keep talking about.

Also, the next thing stuck on my mind is (dun dun dun..) the position of women in the church. I have observed many bias' about women in the church and without crossing boundaries I feel that I have some opinions that, for the review of the reader, may be valuable to think about and form an opinion over. I am no feminist by any means, but as a woman...who is of the church, these are things to think about especially when forming a theology over such things.

Do I believe that women should be a senior minister of a church? No. Do I think a woman should be able to claim elder-ship, or deacon-ship in the church? No. Do I think women should be allowed to be on the church board system? Yes. Do I think that major decisions in the church should be dealt with by men and women? Yes. Do I think that women should be youth ministers? Yes. Do I think women should be missionaries? ABSOLUTELY.

......Do I think women should be allowed to take preaching classes? Yes. Do I think women should be allowed to be in the preaching major? No.

These last two opinions on my part I would like to explain. You see at my school (which I love dearly PLEASE do not misinterpret me) us ladies are not allowed to be in the preaching program..that's ok I'm fine with that. However I do feel that women should be allowed to take some preaching courses because;

a) I am going to be a missionary, along with many other women that I know. With that being said as mission work continues messages of hope flow constantly to the people who are being ministered too. I feel it would be beneficial for missionary women (especially those with no husband) to learn a bit about the fundamentals of preaching. Preaching may also help those women who wish to be Sunday school teachers, lesson planning and preaching may coincide.

b) However you look at it..man or woman, things like mission work cause any gender to be a minister. We minister to people by actions and by words, even still if we are just ministering to a group of girls won't we need the same sort of foundational education?

Well maybe it's just me but after a man preaches say in a setting like a chapel service (at school) or something equivalent, you hear words like:

He gave such a great message that was a great sermon

But when a woman preaches in the same kind of settings you hear words like:

She spoke well today, it was really great to hear her speak

Maybe you have heard the same for both genders as in the example with the man. Maybe I have just been deprived of hearing those comments towards a womans sermon.

Is it not all the word of God? Is it not all the same no matter whose mouth it comes out of? Lipstick or no lipstick? Lip gloss or no lip gloss? I don't wear either so let's just say the word of God should come through the lips of those who wear chap stick, because either male or female, we both use it.

I'm not venting, I am simply voicing an opinion, and I am ok if I stand corrected. That's it for this matter, opinions would be great on this subject because I am searching on this matter.

All to God