Should women open air preach?

This question has recently come up within the evangelism group that I'm a part of. We're comprised of people from several churches. We all agree that women should not be pastors/teachers/elders, nor have authority over men (according to 1 Timothy 2:11-15). However, when one of the ladies from our group wanted to get up on our soapbox and read a few verses from Scripture, this caused a little bit of a problem for a couple people. Their church teaches that reading the Bible and/or preaching the Gospel open air is still tantamount to teaching and having authority over men, and therefore this should be reserved for men alone. They're okay with a woman approaching a small group of people and witnessing to them all at once; it's just the act of getting on a box and preaching that becomes problematic for them.

Out of love and submission to my brothers we won't have women open-air preachers when we get together. But still, I don't quite find their arguments convincing.

Searching the Scriptures, I have found verses like 1 Cor. 11:5 that indicate that women may prophesy (declare a Holy Spirit-inspired truth) before a group of people, and pray...and I can see that in John 4 the Samaritan woman declared to the whole town that Jesus was the Messiah.

And yet...it is true that we don't see an example in the book of Acts of a woman getting up to preach the Gospel.

So I would like any input on the subject. I don't mean at all to start a debate, I would just like some honest thoughts, and Scriptures to go with them. And if there are any sermons that address this topic, that would be great too.

The Lord bless you greatly "nearthecross"

I believe that Mr. Keith Daniel shares a little about this in his audio sermon here on SI titled, "Caleb, Give Me This Mountain." Sorry, I don't have a URL for you; but, I hope that this helps in your endeavour to do the Lord's will; thereby, blessing others.
Shalom :o)
Richie

hi.i agree with thingsabove.witness to somebody on the street is certainly no problem.But we see that all those whom Jesus sent to preach and proclaim the gospel publicly were men.I'm not saying women have nothing to do in an open air evangelism,no.they have their important part to do as well.but if it's an evangelism group and brothers are present they should do the preaching.in Samaritan woman's case i think it was more of a personal witnessing than preaching.

Paul did restrict the role of women in the church, but he did not specifically say they cannot preach to the lost. Romans 16 and Phil. 4;3 indicate that women played a larger role than silently accompanying their husbands.

Jessie Penn-Lewis makes her case in The Magna Carta of Woman. I can't post the hyperlink from my Blackberry so here is the address for the full text at Light House Library:

http://www.lighthouselibrary.com/read.php?sel=3138&searchfor=||PENN-LEWIS,%20JESSIE||&type=&what=author

1Co. 11 does not say women "may" prophesy, it just says they did. Paul merely noted it, along with many other errors and sins that Church was guilty of, Paul did not overwelm the passage with more than one theme.He brings women back into his teaching in ch. 14 where he clearly commands womens silence (including prophesy). All who try to "get by" these prohibitions are guilty of despising apostolic rule.

Four specific testimonies from people I personally know and women open air preaching:

1. a brother at the home church I attend first repented because the Lord used a woman who was open air preaching at a public park in the 70's to open his heart.

2. a Japanese girl who also attends home fellowship was moved by the Lord to preach openly at the University of North Texas. She would on some occasions put on a kimono and cowboy boots - use a megaphone and preach the gospel. It was a powerful testimony just to see someone from a culture where women are not typically outspoken to boldly preach Christ alone. (She was a former zin buddist / ancestor worshiper) her visa ended last year and she is now back in Japan - but Hallelujia!

3. Another girl from home fellowship preached "REPENT!" so loud on the same university campus and Texas Women's university that the Japanese girl mentioned above said that unsaved Japanese students who lived on campus could hear her two blocks away (she had friendships with several of these students). This sister preaching repentance was not Japanese - American - the Lord gave her mind back to her after being on drugs and insane. She clearly proclaims Christ and Him crucified.

4. Another women at our home church was moved to stand outside on the busiest street in our city and wear various signs that said "Jesus is God", "I repented" , "Surrender to Jesus" - when she was turned into the police for asking for money (she wasn't - it was a false accusation) she changed the sign to "I don't want your money, God wants your heart."

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom....

the brothers I know are bold as a lion as well.

Just sharing a two small portion of a article I read that talks about women role in sharing and teaching
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We should note, as we ponder this challenge, that the very nature of the second (and last) Covenant includes a prominent place for women. At least part of their role is described by the Holy Spirit as: (Acts 2:15-21) “Your sons and your daughters will tell forth the divine counsels… even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days and they will tell forth the divine counsels.”

1 Corinthians 11:5 speaks of women praying and prophesying. It is highly likely that men were present, or the entire reason for writing the warning (the danger of “dishonoring” the woman’s head, the man) would have been of little relevance. Twenty-five years after Pentecost the evangelist Philip had four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9).
_____

Authority Sets Us Free!

All of these matters are very, very important. When the whole church is together, if our hearts and our minds are right, then the man will be very respectful and loving towards all the women (who will not disappear like the furniture). The men will deeply love the gifts in the women and will not want them to bury their talents. The women will respect the men and, as they are in the gatherings of the saints, will understand the authority of the men and never come over the top of that authority. Paul said, “I do not permit the women to teach with authority over the men.” And yet they can offer their gifts.

A practical example: If one of the women has something burning in her heart to say, she must not bury her talent. She must not ignore the gift of God that is within her because the men need that gift. We need all of Jesus desperately. So if a woman has something burning in her heart that she wants to speak, she can respect the authority of the men by asking permission to say this thing. She should turn first, perhaps, to the authority over her personally. If there is a man in her life that has special authority over her, then she should, perhaps, turn first to him and ask him if it is okay. Perhaps then that man should ask the assembly if it is okay if the woman speaks. If the man does not think it is a good idea for her to speak, or if the assembly does not think it is a good idea for her to speak at that moment, then she should be happy to be silent. She should not resent that or be angry. She should not say, “Well, then, I will never share anything.”

This is how the woman can be Jesus to everyone, with the man still having the authority. The man draws the gift out, but the woman does not push herself to the top. When you look at all the teachings of the word of God together, what you see is that God has a wonderful heart towards women. A woman is not like a chair or a table in the room. She is alive with Jesus and we need her very much. But she must also understand God’s order and not be proud or arrogant. She must be humble in order to offer her gift. This is the order of the angels, the order of God the Father and Christ the Son, and the order of man and woman. We are all one, but there is an order in God that helps everything to work smoothly. We are equal, and a wife’s gift may be even better than her husband’s, but God made him a man and so there is order.

by Ruthiepoothie on 2010/1/10 19:54:41

Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom....

IN THE SPIRIT there is neither male nor female, jew nor greek, bond nor free (Galatians 3.28)

...Christ is all and IN ALL. (Colossians 3.11)

I'm not saying that all women SHOULD preach but neither am I saying that all men SHOULD preach either!

That's about all I have to say on the subject b/c I know that the majority on SI won't allow it (women preaching/teaching).

So God bless you all!!

(edited: clarification)

Sticky topic. I believe that it's a Romans 14 issue: Let everyone be fully convinced in his own mind whether a woman can or cannot teach/preach etc.

I think that whatever your determination on the subject is, it should be based upon the scripture not upon 'well so and so preached and was used mightily.' Mr. Reidhead has a wonderful sermon calling that pragmatism, where the desired end justifies any means. God used a donkey once, surely we won't argue for putting donkeys into pulpits. The point is God can use whatever He wants, and we should aim to follow His word in our conduct.

"1Co. 11 does not say women "may" prophesy, it just says they did. Paul merely noted it, along with many other errors and sins that Church was guilty of, Paul did not overwelm the passage with more than one theme.He brings women back into his teaching in ch. 14 where he clearly commands womens silence (including prophesy). All who try to "get by" these prohibitions are guilty of despising apostolic rule.".

Walter?

wayneman wrote:

Walter?

This question has always been a bone of contention with some Christians and really angers me, so much so that my husband finally studied into it.
The conclusion he arrived at is that scripture is saying that a woman must not 'usurp' authority over a man.
I feel that people such as 'mrval4truth' have a terrible dogmatic, legalistic attitude that stiffles gifting and brings women into bondage. It feels to me that he would have women written out of scripture altogether!
Of course women prophesied, preached and taught.
A promise from the Lord himself through the prophet Joel and quoted on the day of pentecost in Acts 2 "in those days I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh - men and women alike - your sons and daughters shall prophesy"

Paul commended Timothy and the teachings he had received from his mother and grandmother Eunice!
Paul had such love and respect for women such as Lydia who taught her house group. Priscilla also traveled with Paul along with her husband, who is second named after her, and had a leading role in teaching, she even taught Appolos of Alexandria.

Jesus appeared first to Mary and told her to tell his disciples that he is alive - she was the first to tell of the gospel of his resurrection! he could have just bypassed her and appeared in the room as he did later - No! Women in those days as it still is in eastern countries, were not their own but properties of men and second rate citizens! but Jesus elevated women to their proper position - even acknowledging Mary who washed his feet with her tears and annointed him with her most precious dowry oil - He used her as an example to publically disgrace the pharisee Simon who never showed him any common curtesy.

Paul in Romans 16 states "Our sister Phoebe - A DEACON IN THE CHURCH -will be coming to see you soon, receive her in the Lord as one who is worthy of high honour"
There are examples in scripture if you are prepared to study and look then out.
It angers me that some men forbid women to preach and teach and yet their sunday schools would close down if women took this on board - for what are women doing here with children if not teaching!!

I come from a family line of Pastors and teachers, my greatest influence for the Lord in my life has been my grandmother - I now preach and teach bible studies and love it with a passion.
My dad, who is a preacher was taught a lot by my mother!

After being abused and raped by a Church deacon all my teenage life, my husband saw potential in me and has worked to encourage and nurture me to be the woman I am today.
Of course I am in submission to my leadership who have full trust in me and know and understand my heart.
My pastor knows I would never do anything behind his back and trusts me and has had me preaching even while he's been away.

I know I have God's blessing to speak as through Him I battled and overcame such fears in obedience to His call to do so, and He does move on people whenever I do. This overwhelms and moves me completely that He can take someone who was so shy and downtrodden such as me and now use me to minister to others. My dad is so thrilled and sees it as I'm now being passed the baton.
I am now so proud of my teenage daughter who has such a passion for the scriptures she even reads to me while I'm in the bath so there is no escaping! she recently preached her first bible study at our house fellowship on 'how to live everyday for the Lord' and there wasn't a dry eye as everyone was so blest and heard God speak to them on a personal level. Our leader said after that he was nervous of her caperbility to speak but said he'd been obedient to God in asking her and said "I knew it was from God to ask her to preach and He hasn't let me down!"

It pains me so much to see women with such potential and gifting from the Lord being stiffled and silenced by the attitudes of such as mrval4truth. God can call and equip whoever He pleases to use - male or female!

[url=http://www.lwbc.co.uk/OnlineBooks/duncan_campbell_bio.htm]Brief Biography of Duncan Campbell [/url]

From 2nd ¶:
Duncan's father was Hugh Campbell, a stonemason, who had married Jane Livingstone from the nearby island of Lismore, and [b]both his parents were converted in 1901 when two young women belonging to the Faith Mission visited their village[/b]. This Mission had been established in Glasgow in 1886 by John George Govan with the purpose of carrying out evangelistic work in the rural areas of Scotland and Ireland.

The age old debate... Ability has nothing to do with authority. As some members pointed out nicely earlier, authority is the key issue, ability comes next.

Ability. Authority. The two are not side by side, for the Body is made up of many different parts.

Just because you can walk on your hands, does not mean that you should. Walking should be left to the feet. One will see that walking on your hands for an extended period of time will stress the body, allowing for different medical incidents to occur.

This issue is deeper then I believe most realize. The true issue in my opinion, is an issue of submission. No one wants to be submitted to another. Everyone has the "me" attitude and believes that their (in America) constitutional rights should project how the Kingdom should work. That because there is such a push on all people (religions, sexes, sexual preferences, etc...) being equal, everyone believes that they are given a "right" to do as one pleases.

Miccah wrote:
This issue is deeper then I believe most realize.

Just so you know, I do not believe that every woman has a right, privilege and authority to preach; but neither does every man have a right, privilege and authority to preach.

But aside from a woman preaching debate, with all the males that are preaching today, what does a successful male ministry look like? I do not want to argue, I'm interested in what you think.

God bless,

To Hquest, thank you for your encouragement, I really appreciate it.
The Lord bless you

'ability has nothing to do with authority'
I see it as good authority, such as good leadership, will recognise ability and draw out and encourage the person to operate in that gifting. Of course there are boundaries of that gift that have to be recognised and respected and it is wrong to push into another persons ministry - such as every musician within a Church wanting to be the worship leader!
True we are a body and should operate smoothly within our gifting all in submission to the Head, but one part of the body cannot say to another 'you are not needed' for all are important - even the smallest member.

Thank you all for your very interesting replies, thoughts, and links. They helped me consider this matter more thoroughly. I can see there are diverse opinions on the subject.
As, I said before, it is not my intention to create a polemic, I was just interested in what my brothers and sisters thought about the issue of women open-air preaching. I remind you all that my question was not regarding whether or not women should have pastoral positions or exercise authority over men. (Most of us will agree that Scripturally this is not allowed.) I simply wanted to know what your thoughts were concerning women getting up and publicly preaching the Gospel; and, more specifically, the issue of women getting up and simply reading the Word of God in public, and if that constitutes teaching, and having a position of authority over, a man. I tried to make this clear in the beginning, but some may have not understood it. My apologies.
Thank you all once again for your input.

You have nothing to apologize for! You did make it quite clear. Some just cannot separate preaching from being a pastor; in their understanding 'anytime' they see a woman saying 'anything' in the congregation she is usurping authority over the man.

Anyway brother, your original post was clear.

God bless you,

(edited for clarity)

Hi Lysa. In response to your question there are a few elements I believe are essential to ministry.
The main element to success in ministry (and I use the word 'success' lightly - as what may be successful in God's eyes is not neccessarily the same in mans eyes!) but the most important element is personal relationship with the Lord and also the Lords anointing to preach, to me that is all that matters.

As you say and I agree hundred percent that not all men and women have the right and the authority to preach.
I have heard preachers and you just know that they are preaching not from a personal relationship with the Lord - but from their own opinions and pet subject or maybe from a book or even someone elses words!

Matt 7 21-23 NLT 'Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as 'Lord' but they still won't enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven. On judgement day many will tell me 'Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name. But I will reply 'I never knew you, go away; the things you did were unauthorised'

How sad and even frightening that there are people today ministering and the Lord doesn't even know them! there is no relationship and He never authorised their works.

Another essential element in ministry is Love - a love for the Lord and a love for his people. 1 Cor 13 'If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal'
I could have the gift of prophesy, know all the mysteries of the future, have faith that could move mountains, give everything to the poor, even sacrifice my body, but if I haven't Love - if I didn't love others, I would be no good to anyone and would be of no value whatsoever!

Another element is to be true to the Lord and His word,
so many would rather preach what is pleasing and what is fashionable and want to be popular in mens eyes rather than speak what the Lord wants to say and impresses on the heart. Luke 13 v 29 NLT 'Then people will come from all over the world to take their places in the Kingdom of God. And note this some who are despised now will be greatly honoured then; and some who are greatly honoured now will be despised then. (translatation of some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last)

It is beyond me how people can stand in a pulpit and speak so glibly as it is such a serious responsibility to be a teacher of His word, as God judges those who teach His flock more intensely.

I am so aware of the effect I can have on the lives of the people around me by what I say or do, that I will not speak or give advice until I know and feel in my heart that I speak the truth. When ever I am invited to speak I will pray and study fervently because I want to have His peace and assurance that I'm right before God and have His blessing, and God has honoured that in my life.

If you do a detailed study of the New Testament, you will find that there were probably at least two female apostles. It is hard to imagine that two women operated in their missionary calling, without preaching the gospel, and to some degree, overseeing the spiritual well-being of their converts.

To be honest - It melts my heart when a man, woman or child is anointed to speak. If God has something to say through anyone my heart is open wide. I wish there were more truly anointed people today - man or woman or child. When someone speaks with God's true anointing there will be tears, silence, no one wanting to leave when in the Presence of the Lord. And when an anointed saint speaks it is awesome. I say - bring them on!!!! Sheri

Act 21:8 And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.
Act 21:9 Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.

A candle is never placed under a cover, nor a light under a bushel. I believe Philips daughters spoke prophetically the Word of God where ever the Holy Spirit directed them to. The very characteristic of God Himself is to openly proclaim......