Cheryl Schatz

Mark,
You said:

It now seems to me that you somewhat agree with what i said, where as previously you were trying to use teacher as stand alone by citing Eph 4:11.

It is a stand alone gift, but in Ephesians 4:11 Paul connects the teacher with the related gift of pastor. There is no other use of “pastor” as a gift except for Ephesians 4:11. To list the two separate gifts as having a close association (but not being the same gift nor necessitating that one gift must be accompanied by the other but rather that the two gifts have a common function of teaching). Yet there is only one gift of “teacher”. There are not different levels of “teacher” although there may be different kinds of “teaching”.

Yet in discussions with you, you seem to continually stress that a woman is not allowed to be a teacher because pastors are the ones who are given the responsibility of being teachers in the church. Have I misunderstood you? If so perhaps you can be clear in your view of “teachers”. Are women allowed to be “teachers” in the church? Does Ephesians 4:11 speak about the gift of “teacher”? Or does Ephesians 4:11 only speak about pastors who teach? Is this limited to pastors as you seem to suggest?

Related gifts that are related by function does not negate the separation of the gifts. “Pastor” is not “teacher” although a Pastor can also be a teacher. A pastor using teaching in the function of the gift just as one who prophesies uses teaching in the function of their gift. Do you agree or not?