Mark

Let me address people 1 at a time…

Pinklight,

I think you are trying to push what i was saying to mean something else. Of course i don’t think we do things in our own ‘power’. Maybe my australian terminology is interfering in this concept. The point is, in both situations the husband/elders/leaders put others first and dont lord it over others/wives.

Lydia,

Pastor is both in my opinion. You do not want someone as a pastor who is not gifted to be there. Also it is an office. Overseer/elder/ shephard all convey the same meaning as ‘Pastor’. Don’t let our English translations and bias’ against roles interfere with terminology conveying the same things. Perhaps you want to dispute like many that there are no such offices at all in the New Testament? I’m not sure? As far as i know Paul is VERY interested in overseers/elders/presbyters/deacons which were all present in the early church and his letters.

gengwell,

if you think there is no distinction in the ‘church’ and other ministries i am very confused. Are you suggesting that Paul was writing to bible studies and youth groups etc. Surely not! What is the early church based on…the synagogue? There is most definately a ‘formal’ church in Pauls writing and this is precisely the context of what i am saying about men teaching. IF you think this is not the context of 1 Tim and 1 Cor please show me why?
The reason why i dont think there are no other guidelines for who leads ot teaches in other circumstances is because it doesnt matter. This is precisely my view. Paul only restricts a woman from the formal teaching/leading of the church.

One last question for everyone. Do other people agree or disagree with Cheryl’s understanding of the priesthood?