teknomom

The only appointed position I can think of is Elder/guardian/overseer. This is what I think is significant in the letter to Titus. He was to appoint elders in every town, and in that same letter Paul talks about both male and female elders. There is no reason to think these are not the appointees of chapter one.

So even if some comps might possibly concede that since “pastor” is a gift it cannot be appointed, we still have scriptural backing for the appointment of women to an (the only?) official position in the assembly.

And of course we can’t overemphasize the problem of how the traditional church has mangled the gift of pastor and turned it into the position of a spiritual CEO. Pastor/shepherd is someone who both guards and nurtures, and therefore must know the difference between wolves and sheep (discernment). A good shepherd will care for the sheep and protect them by beating off the wolves. But the traditional “Pastor” is a corporate officer who calls all the shots and commands the underlings.

Personally, I say the comps can have their “lodge”, their boys’ club, and run it however they want. But they can’t legitimately call it The Assembly. We are what we are by God’s gifting, and it has nothing to do with buildings, sanctuaries, pulpits, pews, performances, or committees. Let them make rules for others and rage against the Holy Spirit’s choice of servants. Let them have it their way, because I am not obligated to join it.

The Spirit leads, and we can “test the spirits” by the Bible. The Word and the Spirit work together to keep us from the extremes of gullibility and cold-heartedness. No amount of human organization or rationalization can stand against it.