Where Do Women Fit in Gospel Ministry? | Lisa Harper

Описание: A master storyteller and sought-after Bible teacher and author known for her authenticity, Lisa Harper's writing and speaking overflows with colorful pop culture references that connect the dots between the Bible and modern life. She combines sound scriptural exposition with relatable anecdotes and comedic wit.

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I am 55 years old and have been in women's ministry since, really I think, a year out of undergrad. So basically way back when I still had tight skin and high metabolism. 

And there's a couple of things I've seen through the years that I think are obstacles for really effective women's ministry. The two glaring ones are even attaching "women" to it. Because I think, all too often, we get so consumed with our gender or our marital status that we miss the gospel. So whether you are complementarian theologically or egalitarian, let's first start at Jesus. Because scripture was not written to people based on gender or marital status.

I was at a conference recently and I think the man who was introducing me was trying to honor me, but he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, Lisa Harper! She's a beautiful, single, celibate gal." And I was just so stunned, because I thought, "What does my marital status and my - my" – I want to say lack of action, but that's not biblically sound – my marital status and my – let's just call it holiness – "What does that have to do with where we're doing as a group of Christ-followers trying to see Him more clearly?"

So if I bring anything to the table as a Christ-follower, regarding the authority of scripture and the sufficiency of Jesus, it has very little to do with my ovaries. So let's focus on christological issues rather than gender issues. So that for me, is one issue.

Another issue is, I think, it's almost an over-correction. I so want to honor order in whatever church I'm in. So whatever church I have the privilege of ministering in, I want to be very submission and respectful of the order in that church. And so much so, that if I ever have the privilege of sharing in a church on a Sunday morning – I am not a pastor – but if I ever get to share, I usually spend fifteen minutes explaining I'm there under the authority of the teaching pastor and the elders. And it's like, I make such a big deal sometimes out of being a woman that again the gospel is missed. 

I think, as women, we get in one ditch or the other. We either become so strident, and we go, "I should have a voice because I'm a female."  Or we go over here, and we dumb ourselves down because we're so conscious of being a woman. 

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