Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
In the previous post, I attempted to show the inconsistencies and confusion within the ministerial structure of the Church of God (CG). I now wish to show how this state of affairs impacts the debate over women in ministry.
Continue reading “Confusion in the “Ranks””
Part of the challenge of discussing the role of women in ministry has to do with the Church of God’s (hereafter CG) position on ministerial rank. My intention in this two-part analysis is primarily to convince people that the CG should consider changing how it understands ministerial ranking, which is in keeping with the recommendation to study the meaning of ordained bishop adopted at the previous General Assembly.
Continue reading “Ministerial Ranking in the Church of God: It’s Time for a Change”
Should women serve as preachers, teachers, and bishops? Does the Scripture support women in roles of leadership equal to men?
Continue reading “Should Women serve as Bishops in the Church?”
Warning – this blog entry concerns an agenda item for the Church of God International General Assembly in Orlando. It most likely will be of little interest to many readers. (-:
As the presenter of the primary motion, I am disappointed with the report. The agenda recommendations from the committee are not germane to the primary motion. In fact, the report does not address the primary motion, but summarily dismisses it as a “mere prequalifier.” Think of that – ten years of pastoral experience is but a “mere prequalifier.”
Continue reading “More Reflections on “State Overseers Qualifications Report””
Warning – this blog entry concerns an agenda item for the Church of God International General Assembly in Orlando. It most likely will be of little interest to many readers. (-:
Continue reading “Reflections on the “State Overseers Qualifications Report””
The title of bishop is used to designate a person who is charged with oversight of a local congregation (pastor) and/or multiple congregations. The term “bishop” (episkopos) is used in the New Testament only six times. Five of these occurrences are Pauline and speak to oversight of the church (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1ff; and Titus 1:7). The fourth occurrence is Petrine and speaks to the ministry of Christ as he who is “Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). In his farewell address to the church elders at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul exhorted, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 2:28). Here Paul offers a paradigm for understanding the ministry of bishop in the apostolic church.
Continue reading “The Pentecostal Bishop”