CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Right from the early church and up till today, the religious role of
women has been a subject of controversy and constant debates. Many of
such debates have in most cases been inconclusive. While efforts have
been made in the past to demonstrate that women are similar to men and are
indeed equal to men in terms of intellectual capacity and leadership skill,
there are still widespread belief that women are indeed inferior to men in
leadership of congregations. More worrisome is the theological backing
that this socio cultural belief of the society enjoys based on Paul’s statement
in 2 Timothy 2:11 – 15 that women should not teach or usurp authority over the
man but to be in silence. The difficulty with this statement is how to
reconcile it with the position of Paul in Gal. 3:28 that there is neither male
or female. But we are all one in Christ Jesus.
Background to the Study
Based on the controversy surrounding the permission of women to assume
leadership position in churches, it is not a surprise that many churches today
still disallow the ordination of women as Pastors or allow them in leadership
positions where they will have authority over men. Such churches insisted
that they are acting in terms of Biblical position. Yet there are many Christian
organizations such as Foursquare Gospel Church that have allowed women in the
office of Pastors, Zonal Superintendents, District Overseer and other
leadership positions with very impressive results to show for it.
One noticed that in both Old and New Testaments God ordained, sanctions
and uphold the spiritual authority of women as his official spoke person and
leaders of His people. A thorough review of the roles of women in such
leadership capacity in the Bible will be undertaken. This research work
would also try to examine the problems associated with women assuming
leadership position of congregations, gender differences in promotion and pay
and the experience and frustrations encountered by lady ministers and the
subsequent effect of this on motivation or otherwise of women who account for
the larger percentage of most congregation to aspire for leadership positions.
Statement of Problem
In the last decade, there has been a positive variance and growth in the
aspect of mission and evangelism in the church. It is a well known fact
that early the biggest churches in terms of attendance reside here in
Nigeria. The number of missionaries sent out from Nigeria into Africa and
even other continents has increased as well. There are a lot of churches
being pioneered from Nigeria in other continents that are led by Nigerians as
well. Even the big churches that reside in Nigeria are being led by
Nigerians themselves.
Along with this positive growth is the fact that a large percentage of
the people won to Christ are of women fold and also the fact that women
ministry is also growing cannot be denied. But the irony is that even
though a large percentage of the worshipers and workers in these churches,
ministry and fellowship are women, the top and strategic leadership structures
seems to be occupied by men, sometimes almost exclusively. With the involvement
of women in the various service arms of the church, the top and strategic
leadership is being dominated by men when compared with the ratio of both
genders in the church. On the one hand women are encouraged to serve their
fellow humans and to participate in the gospel commission, on the other they
are excluded from full public ministrations by traditions of male leadership
seemingly supported by a formidable bulwark of scriptural indications and
established traditions. Even to those women who have been taught and who have
outwardly accepted the call to eternal sacrifice in serving humanity through
behind-the-scene tasks or domestic virtues, the question of a more active, a
more unrestricted and a more responsible ministry comes to their mind sooner or
later. The lay women of our church and other Christian denominations are
faced with the burdensome paradox of being called to spread the gospel with
equal sincerity on the one hand and having that spirit of devotion and
commitment curbed on the other. For a segment of them the special gifts of
communication, of clarity of speech, of insight and administrative and
leadership capabilities seem to be an even more paradoxical blessing.
They face the onward pleading of an inner experience and call against
the odds of a church which has been molded in a cultural pattern that cannot
find any use for such talents in women. Their calls are denied. Women fully
committed to Christ have felt the pressure to bury their talents. Some male
church members and ministers insist that their dreams of the gospel ministry
are not only unrealistic but thoroughly unscriptural[1].
The fact that exceptional cases are being frown at calls for more study
in this field of knowledge. Even though some leaders in a few independent
Pentecostal and Charismatic churches carry their wives along in the ministry,
the perceived over bearing of these women has generated a lot of schetisms,
criticisms and even rejection from more conservative traditional
churches. These criticism often come from studies backed by the argument
citing I Timothy 2:9 – 15 with literal interpretation that Paul clearly
instructed women not to be involved in leadership. It is usually cited to
go beyond preaching and teaching but to hold leadership offices in churches and
ministries and whether women both single and married should be considered for
ordination. Some churches who have gone ahead to allow ordination for
women still leave it to involved a particular rank or put some kind of
restriction.
Purpose of Study
Firstly, this research seeks to provide a conceptualized interpretation
of this passage in such a way that the fundamental truth of the scripture or
its intention is not compromised, while providing a bible based insight that
will enhance women ministry in Nigeria Church in line with God’s standard.
Secondly, the research work also intends to help provide an insight that
will help reduce the tension that is often generated when the subject of women
involvement in ministry or church leadership comes up.
Thirdly, this research work will encourage more women involvement in
church leadership by providing recommendations for changes in ideology within
these selected churches.
Fourthly, the study will affirm the effectiveness of female ministers in
these selected churches.
And lastly, the research work will endeavor to bridge the gap between
the several interpretations given to this passage in the past.
Significance of the Study
The inadequate recognition given to female ministers and the denial of
rights and positions given to women based on the interpretation of the text
leads to a source of concern to the researcher, this makes this study of great
significance to her. The outcome of this research work will encourage a
review of the rules operating in the selected churches so as to encourage the
involvement of women in leadership roles in these churches. This will
eventually enhance the women ministry in Nigerian churches.
This research work will add to the existing body of knowledge as regards
to the interpretation of the passage. The knowledge gained from this
research work will reduce prejudiced mindset and the tension associated with
the issue of women ministry and leadership in the selected churches. The
research work will also help the selected churches to review the limitation of
roles given to women in these churches.
Limitation of the Study
The research work may experience some hiccups due to certain logistics
in preparation and distribution of enough questionnaires. Unwilling
attitudes of people towards filling of questionnaires, late or non-return of
filled questionnaires and some unforeseen circumstances that the researcher may
not consider now.
Delimitation of the Study
The coverage of this study will be on the assessment of the
interpretation given to the passage and the involvement of Female ministers in
the following churches:
1. Christ Apostolic Church
2. Baptist Church
3. Anglican Church
4. Foursquare Gospel Church.
Research Procedure:
The researcher will make use of both library work and field work.
The library work will also involve the internet. Field work will be done
to investigate the current thought or opinion on the subject under
investigation and the profession of the selected churches in the subject of
investigation and the actual practice in these churches. Field work will
involve Questionnaires, oral Interviews opinion polls, and observations.
Definition of Terms
In this research work, a reader will encounter some words which may
acquire special meanings as it is used in the work, which needs clarification
to help the reader to have a more accurate understanding of the study.
Exegesis:
A critical explanation or interpretation of a text especially a
religious one.
Woman:
An adult female human. It may be used interchangeably with the
synonyms – lady, female, woman.
Ministry:
The exercise of particular gift and functions on behalf of the
church. It could be used with the adjective “ordained”.
Selected Churches:
These are the chosen churches from both the Pentecostal churches,
Orthodox churches as well as evangelical churches.