in voting to send down to the presbyteries the proposal that

women should be ordained to the ministry and to church offices,

also asked the women to express themselves on the subject before

the presbyteries vote on the matter. Here is one woman expressing herself.

Book I know. One of the bright young ministers who does quite a bit of the program

material for the Presbyterian Church, US, wrote me of his "concern" about people 

in the Church "who are disturbed if anyone uses unfamiliar words or striking 

phrases to interpret or express the message which God is telling through the Bible.

"I'm concerned too, as some of these "striking phrases" strike me as being 

radical departure from the truth. The Bible is full of striking phrases too, as

well as timely answers to every problem this generation faces. Like the Author,

the Book is "guaranteed" for Eternity. Somehow I don't feel that the present

plans for the Women of the Church were made with the Bible as the Guide.

Let's take a look. Generally speaking, women are enjoined in Scripture 

not to "usurp authority over the man"; to "be in subjection"; to "be in 

behavior as becometh holiness"; to adorn themselves with "meek and quiet spirit.

Specifically, those first deacons were "seven men of honest report"; "husbands

of one wife." An elder was to be "blame- less, husband of one wife"; "One that

ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

(for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of

the Church of God?)" "Morever he must have a good report of them which 

are without: lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." "Lots of 

masculine nouns and pro-nouns there-no females mentioned!" Looking back 

at some of the women of the Bible, we get a very clear ideal for His 

"Woman of the Church." There is Naomi, with her loving, planning, and 

prayers that her daughter-in-law Ruth, would come to know her Lord. 

Those prayers came to fruition in a godly home, composed of Ruth, Boat, 

the baby Obed, and a happy grandmother. "And Naomi took the child, 

and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse to it. Elisha's "great woman" 

fed him each time he passed by, and furnished a room where he could 

rest from his journeys. That room was the first "prophet's chamber.

Why was this woman great? Because she had a great God, and under His 

guidance, her home became a haven for God's servant. The "virtuous woman" 

of Proverbs 31 is pictured in her home as one who cares for her husband, 

children and the servants, cooking, sewing, farming. In addition to all

this, she "stretcheth out her hand to the poor," and is even a success in the 

business world. "Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband 

also, and he praiseth her." What a eulogy! With such energy, wisdom, 

and efficiency, she could help "run" any church. But note: it is her husband 

who "is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 

Mary and Martha were witnesses to one of the greatest miracles of all, 

the raising of their brother from the dead. What an opportunity to go out 

and preach-a first hand experience of Christ's power! But we find them 

worshiping at His feet, ministering to His needs In their home-the home in

Bethany that Jesus loved. Remember Dorcas, whom the Lord raised up when 

Peter prayed, the one for whom so many wept, "shewing the coats and garments 

which Uorcas made?" She was "full of good works and alms deeds" - a valuable 

woman, to her friends, to her church, to her Lord. Lydia, the first European 

convert, was a prominent business woman, and with her wealth and managerial 

ability, would have made a good church officer, but instead she opened her 

home to Paul and Silas and Luke, and made it a place of worship. There are 

so many more-these women of the Bible, God's example of what He would 

have His Women of the Church to be-loving, gracious, kind, hospitable, 

industrious, holy. I believe He wants women to be different. He made

us that way Though it may appear I'm all "negative, there are many things

I do want, positively. I want to be a Christian wife, one who loves deeply, 

honors, and obeys her husband, praying with him, working with him to 

establish a home where Christ is Lord. I want to be a Christian mother, 

providing a haven where there is not only love and comfort and security 

for my children, but an atmosphere which recognizes Christ's Presence 

in every activity. I want to teach them about the, Lord Jesus, to instruct 

them in holy living I want to be a devoted friend, a good neighbor, and 

a faithful citizen in my community, testifying not only with my lips, but 

by my life to the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. I want 

to take an active part in the work of the church, that part which is so 

distinctively "women's work," so important In promoting the unity of the Spirit

among the brethren. I want to be a woman of prayer, to set aside time each 

day to be with the Lord, to feed on His Word, to be always conscious of His 

nearness. These are some of the things I want As for attainment? How far 

short I fall in each of them. How great my need for constant renewing at 

the Throne of Grace. For, above all, what I want most is the will of God for my life.

August. 1998