John

Hi Cheryl,

Let me state out the gate that I am not a complementarian.

I think you take a very wise tack in pressing the fact that women are gifted as teachers. In short, I believe that modern churches have muddied the waters in making ministry an office, especially as it relates to Pastors. Pastoring is a gift, not an office, and so the crux of the issue, is that many churches these days place an undue amount of practical authority on the shoulders of the Pastor, which in turn forces their hand to push Paul’s Timothy passage on authority further than he did himself.

So, I don’t see a New Testament warrant for a teacher as having authority. A gifted teacher persuades, dialogues and instructs in many a different way as guided by the Spirit. Yes, they are held accountable for what they teach, but I don’t see any inherent authority in the New Testament practice. (cf. Priscilla in Acts 19)

Great post!