Living Out Our Callings

by Paula Sulzle

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10).

 

Let’s end as we began.

Daughter. Wife. Mother. Sister. Daughter-in-law. Sister-in-law. Mother-in-law. Grandma. Aunt. Cousin. Friend. Homemaker. Employee. Employer. Volunteer. Caretaker. Team member. Group leader.

We all have a variety of vocations to which God has called us. We also have been called to live out our callings as women. Our previous devotions laid the foundation of God’s unique design for men and women. Each of our own interests and gifts often determines how we carry out the responsibilities within each vocation. It is such a joy and privilege to hold these titles, but at times they also give us challenges or cause us to question if we are being faithful to what God has called us to. How can we live out our callings faithfully?

Connecting to the Source

For years I have taken a great interest in personality quizzes, gifts assessments, and—most recently—the CliftonStrengths assessment. What value is there in these assessments? I find them helpful to learn more about myself, something that will put to words what I already know through my feelings and reactions towards life’s circumstances and events. Sometimes we might turn to personal or professional development books. These are tools that can help us grow in our relationships and help us understand better the behavior of others. They can teach us how to work well with others in various realms of our life.

Yet I think we can all agree that any secular sources we use to help us hone our strengths are not fully worthwhile unless we understand our identity in Christ. We need to connect to the source where we find our guide for life: God’s inspired Word.

We need to connect to the source where we find our guide for life: God’s inspired Word. Let’s look at the list from 1 Peter again. This list shows us our worth.

Let’s look at the list from 1 Peter again. This list shows us our worth.

A chosen people: God loved the world so that he gave his one and only Son. God also loved you so that he gave you faith and brought you to himself through the waters of holy baptism.

A royal priesthood: Not only were you made to be royalty—adopted into the royal family in heaven—but you were also anointed to the priesthood of all believers, giving you full access to God through Jesus and equipping you to live a life of service. It is now our mission to proclaim the Lord’s greatness.

A holy nation: You were made holy by the blood of Jesus and are part of a body of believers that works together.

God’s special possession: God calls us each by name; he calls us his own. We are his whom he takes great care to provide for and nourish.

Serving in His Kingdom

God made you unique and chose specifically for you all the qualities, traits, and gifts that will enable you to serve his kingdom. As you consider how to carry out your calling, take into account your strengths and the strengths of those around you. And yes, consider your weaknesses too. You can rest assured that it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13).

It can sometimes be a challenge to look at our strengths with humility. Yet we strive to carry out our callings and serve others, but not out of selfish pride or gain. We want all we do to be for God’s glory and for his good purpose. In this way, we are a reflection of God’s love. God will delight in the works of service done to his glory.

Because of this, we continue to test our desires and actions against the true and inerrant Word of God as we serve in his kingdom. “But whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23).

Embracing Your Unique Calling

How do you embrace your unique calling in your home? Enlightened by his Word and Holy Spirit, God becomes and remains first in your own life, resides at the center of your marriage, and is the true north for your family. When you communicate with open hearts and minds, you show love and respect to those you hold most dear. As husband and wife walk in step with the Spirit, they will carry out their callings in the best interest of each other and the children.

Your spouse will have different abilities and gifts than you. Think about how you complement each other, then partner together and serve your family with the abilities God has given each of you. As you selflessly yield to your husband’s leadership as God intended, you will be rewarded. Your husband and family will be blessed. “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:28-30).

Serve God with the gifts he has given you. Think about what you’re passionate about, what God has given you, and what your spiritual gifts are. Think about how you could use your time, talents, and treasures.

How do you embrace your unique calling in the church? Serve God with the gifts he has given you. Think about what you’re passionate about, what God has given you, and what your spiritual gifts are. Think about how you could use your time, talents, and treasures. Then ask your pastor how you can use those gifts to serve. Has God given you the gift of hospitality? Find ways to reach out to new members. Are you blessed with time and communication skills? Ask your pastor or other women for the names of those who could use a companion or home visit. Has God given you the gift of leadership, a love for youth, or a desire to encourage young moms and families? Talk with your pastor about organizing youth events or leading a Bible study for new moms.

A selfless servant helps others fulfill their God-given callings. In this way, you can be a great help to your pastor and a blessing to your church family. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12: 4-6, 27).

How do you embrace your unique calling in the world? It may very well be most challenging to carry out your calling in an unbelieving world that has no understanding of the principle of head and helper. Yet God calls us to be lights to a dark world. In the workforce, you may be in a leadership role over a man, either now or at some time in the future. You can still honor the principle by working with him in humility and helping him fulfill his role, not lording it over him.

Maybe you will find that you can work within that realm and still honor the principle. Maybe there will come a time when it doesn’t feel right. You may have to consider how to work through that. Might one person decide one way and another person another way? Likely. God has not prescribed exactly what to do in every situation. Yet as you honor those God has placed in your path, you honor his unique design for men and women. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).

As we have said before, how we carry out our calling will look different among different people and situations. There will be times we will miss the mark. In fact, there are many times we will walk in the complete opposite direction of God’s will. But thanks be to God—he forgives us for these missteps and grants us grace to walk anew in his ways.

Honor those God has placed as your authority, those who are your heads. They have received those roles from God himself to be a blessing to you. As you model respect for the principle, you open the door to give a reason for the hope you have. As you fill yourself with God’s Word, the Holy Spirit prepares you to declare God’s praises. We are all working towards the same goal: to point others to Jesus that they may join us in heaven.

For Further Reflection

1. Think of and then write out at least one other portion of Scripture that reminds you of the identity you have in Christ.
2. What are some of your strengths? How can you use them to serve others? What are some of your weaknesses? How can you work together with others to complement each other?
3. Name some specific ways that you will honor God as you live out your unique calling as his dearly loved daughter in the home, the church, and the world.

Closing Prayer

O Lord, you have been with us throughout this study of your Word on the unique callings of men and women. Open our hearts to hear your truth. Send your Holy Spirit to fill us with your love that we may be a reflection of the great love you have for us. Cause men and women to live their holy callings in service to you. Equip us to speak your praises that the lives we touch may proclaim you as God and Lord. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.

 

Less About the Fence, More About the Playground

by Kristi Meyer

“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, NIV84).

 

I recently read a blog post that painted the following picture: a city is building a new playground. It’s going to be a beautiful playground full of slides and swings and monkey bars, but unfortunately the only park space available is near a busy intersection. Before the playground opens, the city installs a large fence around it—a fence intended to let the children play safely.

Once the playground opens, it becomes clear that the fence is indeed doing its job. Children are having fun on the playground within the fence’s confines, and there’s no worry from parents that their children will run out into the busy intersection.

But one day a new family comes to the playground, a family that wants to make sure their daughter knows why the fence is there. They tell her that the fence is the only reason she’s able to play on the playground at all, remind her to always keep her eyes on the fence, and admonish her to never try to climb it.

What’s going to happen? That child is going to play, yes, but her playing is always going to be shaped and influenced by the fence. She might even stay farther away from the fence than she normally would just to make sure her parents know she isn’t trying to climb it. She’s not really thinking about the playground in the same way the other children are. She’s thinking about the fence.

Don’t teach authoritatively, don’t act in a way that violates headship—these are important topics to contemplate. But when they are overemphasized, when they become the main point of the conversation, it’s easy to lose sight of our unique callings and instead feel overly restricted.

I’m sure you see the point of this analogy. When it comes to women and the church, it sometimes feels like all we talk about is the fence. Don’t teach authoritatively, don’t act in a way that violates headship—these are important topics to contemplate. But when they are overemphasized, when they become the main point of the conversation, it’s easy to lose sight of our unique callings and instead feel overly restricted. We’ve talked previously about focusing more on what we as women can do rather than what we can’t do. How else can we keep the spotlight on the playground rather than on the fence?

Can vs. Should

As I mentioned earlier this week, my conversations on women and the church originally began with the question “What can a woman do in the church?” Or, to make it more personal, I always tried to ask, “Can I do this?” when determining if I could serve in a certain way at my congregation. I never asked with malicious motives; I wasn’t trying to push the boundaries beyond what God says in his Word. But I was trying to determine if the places my local congregation didn’t permit me to serve—for example, ushering or facilitating Bible study at a home-based growth group—were really places I couldn’t serve or were instead unnecessary restrictions.

It’s taken awhile, but I’ve finally come to the point where my question has changed. Instead of asking “Can I do this?” I’m now much more likely to ask “Should I do this?” There are times when the answer to those two questions is the same, but there are also times when the answer is different. Previously, I thought this mismatch was bad and unnecessarily restrictive to me as a female. I thought that if I could do something, I should be able to do it, especially if that meant completing a job that was currently incomplete or fulfilling a need that was currently unfilled.

There are other things to think about than whether or not I as a female should be able to do something at church. There are other factors to weigh besides just a job left incomplete or a need left unfilled.

Over the course of many conversations, much prayer, and quite a bit of study and growth, I’ve come to a place where I understand that “Can I do this?” isn’t always the right question to ask. There are other things to think about than whether or not I as a female should be able to do something at church. There are other factors to weigh besides just a job left incomplete or a need left unfilled.

Building Up the Body of Christ

This week’s earlier devotion discussed one of the most important considerations: permissible vs. beneficial, especially as related to the body of Christ. You might be serving in the most helpful way, taking care of something that isn’t on anyone else’s radar, or making the church a better place by your contribution. But if you’re creating pangs of conscience for a fellow believer, if you cause other congregations to question your actions, if you inadvertently make the conversation more about you than about the ministry you are carrying out, then the good you are doing may be coming at a cost.

Another consideration circles back to the role for which we as women were created: the role of ezer, of helper. What follows is a stereotype, but like any stereotype, it is somewhat rooted in truth. When a need is identified, women are more likely than men to step up and fill that need. This will often be done without much fanfare, with very little need for recognition. We as women see something that needs to get done and we can take care of it, so we do. It’s as simple as that.

But in the church, this can turn into taking opportunities away from males to serve or giving them opportunities to abdicate their leadership. I am not saying that any of this is being done intentionally or with sinister motives. However, we are all sinful creatures, and original sin gives us all the propensity—at varying levels—to step out of our God-given roles.

As a female who likes to take care of things, stepping back sometimes feels like I’m selling out. Something isn’t being done? And I’m capable of doing it without violating headship? Why wouldn’t I do it? Again, I’ve come to learn that there are other ways to help accomplish the task, ways that allow me to serve as a helper, ways that let me build up the body of Christ and encourage men in their unique calling. Sometimes these ways are harder in the short run but much more beneficial—for a wider audience than just me—in the long run.

Exercising Leadership

We’ve talked about the difference between leadership and authority several times this summer, but I want to emphasize that difference again because it is such an important concept. Everything I’ve mentioned above—framing questions in terms of “can vs. should” and giving those around me the opportunity to fulfill their God-given callings—does not mean women can’t lead in the church.

No, there are still ways that those of us who have been gifted with leadership can use that gift in the church—not by trying to take charge, but by partnering with fellow members of the body of Christ in service to one another and in service to our neighbors.

No, there are still ways that those of us who have been gifted with leadership can use that gift in the church—not by trying to take charge, but by partnering with fellow members of the body of Christ in service to one another and in service to our neighbors. For me personally, this means working with my pastor to execute the worship plans he’s created, crafting communication pieces that convey decisions made by the church council and the board of elders, and taking point on a host of other supportive tasks.

What does this look like for you in your congregation? If you don’t know, I’d encourage you to have a conversation with your pastor to try and answer that question. This might be intimidating. It might be scary. It might seem like a topic that is best left by the wayside because your pastor has so many other things to deal with. But instead, I pray that such a conversation will be valuable, both for you and for him.

God created the fence before sin entered the world; therefore the fence is perfect. Our sinful nature can cause us to chafe at the existence of the fence, but that’s not the fault of the fence nor of the One who put the fence in place. And as often as we talk about the fence, it’s not there to restrict our time on the playground. It’s there to keep us safe and to establish good order, to enable us to play on the playground at all, and to help us make the most of our time on the playground.

As women, as congregations, as a synod, let’s keep our eyes more on the playground and less on the fence. We can then enjoy the playground in freedom—freedom that the fence itself gives.

For Further Reflection

1. In changing the question from “Can I do this?” to “Should I do this?”, how can you come to peace with situations where the answers to those two questions are “yes” and “no,” respectively?
2. What are some specific ways you can encourage the males in your congregation, especially as they seek to fulfill their responsibility of living out their unique calling of head?
3. How does the conversation change when you are told, “No, the Bible says you can’t do this,” when there is actually no such prohibition in Scripture? How must the conversation change at this point in order to remain faithful to God’s teaching on Christian freedom?

Closing Prayer

Lord God, we thank you for perfectly creating unique callings for men and women. Guide us as we continue to wrestle with how to live out those callings in a sin-darkened world. Remind us that we are a part of the body of Christ, and motivate us to always build up and edify that body with our words and actions. You have created countless opportunities for us to serve you; show us how we can best embrace these opportunities in all that we do. Amen.

 

“I Do Not Permit…” Is Only the Beginning

by Kristi Meyer

A woman should learn in a quiet manner with full submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. Instead, she is to continue in a quiet manner. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but it was the woman who was deceived and became a transgressor (1 Timothy 2:11-14, EHV).

 

I love math. My dad is a civil engineer and my mom is an accountant, so math has always been part of my life. I remember going on family vacations and begging my dad to give me another math problem during a long day of driving. When considering my future career, I knew I wanted to teach math—but after a semester of student teaching, I decided the high school classroom wasn’t the place for me. Instead, I went to graduate school in hopes of being able to teach math at the college level.

After five years of grad school, I finished up my Ph.D. and accepted a call back to Wisconsin Lutheran College (my alma mater) to serve as a mathematics professor. I’ve taught there for 15 years and have also chaired the mathematics department for the past several years. It’s been a wonderful journey, and I am blessed to be in a confessional Lutheran environment—an environment where I can both teach mathematical content and act as a Christian role model for my students.

I don’t blame you if you’re a bit confused at this point. This is supposed to be a devotion on the unique callings of men and women, and here I am talking about math. What’s the connection?

It’s a thought that never crossed my mind when I was considering my career choice, but it has in recent years: as a female college professor teaching male students, as a female serving as department chair, am I violating 1 Timothy 2:11-14?

I think many of us would immediately answer “No, of course not!” Why not, though? How can we be so sure? And since both Martin Luther College and Wisconsin Lutheran College have female professors—professors teaching males whom we recognize as being of legal age—then what does Paul prohibit in today’s section of Scripture?

Authority Is…

It’s important to consider the context of Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2. Biblical section headings are not inspired, but they often provide us with valuable information and reminders on the section of Scripture being read. The EHV heading for this chapter is “Instructions About Worship”—a section heading that helps us see that Paul is writing these words to Timothy in the context of worship and of the church. Therefore, we should take care not to extend Paul’s words farther than he intended.

Paul is writing these words to Timothy in the context of worship and of the church. Therefore, we should take care not to extend Paul’s words farther than he intended.

We also need to return to the original language when considering exactly what Paul meant by prohibiting a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. The Greek word that Paul uses in verse 12—the word translated as “teach”—is a form of the verb didasko. This verb is also related to the noun didaskolos: “teacher.” In the New Testament, didaskolos and didasko are most often used to refer to Jesus: to his role as teacher and to his teaching ministry. The kind of teaching encompassed by these words is the kind of teaching done by someone who has been called by God to teach with authority; it is the teaching that instructs disciples in the truths of God’s Word.

In the church today, we can clearly see authoritative teaching in the role of pastor. A pastor is a shepherd, a spiritual leader, one entrusted by God to instruct those God has placed under his care. And although it is not teaching, we can also see authority exercised in other ways in the church: for example, in carrying out church discipline or in extending pastor, teacher, or staff minister calls. These functions, then, are rightly entrusted to the men of our congregations in accordance with the biblical principle of headship.

Authority Is Not…

As discussed in a previous week, however, it is extremely important not to conflate authority with leadership. Some earlier papers written by WELS pastors—papers generally, although not entirely, written before the mid-1980s—use “leadership” and “authority” synonymously. Some positions of leadership are also imbued with authority, but other positions are not. Therefore, it is possible for women to hold positions of leadership without assuming authority over men or violating the principle of headship.

It certainly would be easier to say “Women cannot serve as principals of WELS grade schools” or “Women cannot serve as WELS college professors” and be done with the matter. But such a blanket prohibition is both an unjustifiable reading of Paul’s words and an unnecessary restriction on women, particularly women who have been blessed with gifts of leadership.

Not every leadership position is the same, and care must be exercised to determine whether a woman holding a leadership position is also in a position of inappropriately overruling male headship. At the same time, Christian love must be exercised in situations where congregations view leadership roles differently.

If the WELS congregation down the road or in the next town has a female principal—and there are WELS congregations that do—we ought not immediately assume they are ignoring or reinterpreting the unique callings of men and women.

If the WELS congregation down the road or in the next town has a female principal—and there are WELS congregations that do—we ought not immediately assume they are ignoring or reinterpreting the unique callings of men and women. Similarly, that WELS congregation has a responsibility to attempt to lovingly explain—as best as they can—why their structure does not in fact violate headship. Conversations are key—conversations with those directly involved that attempt to take everyone’s words and actions in the kindest possible way.

Authority in the World

In the secular world, there are once again multiple biblical principles at play. We are no longer always blessed to be working together with fellow believers; we often deal with unbelievers, with a society that does not conform to God’s will for men and women. We are called to spread the gospel, to carry out the Great Commission, and to be lights in a sin-darkened world when interacting with those around us. And while these Great-Commission actions are not in conflict with our unique callings, they will no doubt shape and inform how we live out our unique callings.

Special care needs to be taken, then, not to make blanket allowances for nor blanket prohibitions against women serving in leadership positions. Not every Christian will be led to act the same way in every situation. It is entirely possible that two Christians will make different decisions—both made for godly reasons, both correct decisions for their situations, both decisions that are in keeping with God’s Word.

Special care needs to be taken, then, not to make blanket allowances for nor blanket prohibitions against women serving in leadership positions. Not every Christian will be led to act the same way in every situation.

As in the church, Christian love is paramount in worldly situations where the actions of believers differ. We must take care not to bind consciences by making rules where God has not, and we must be careful not to act in ways that could give the appearance of disregard for God’s timeless commands. Rather than judging a woman who is comfortable serving in a secular position of leadership, give thanks that she is able to lead those under her with Christian care and concern. Rather than judging a woman who is not comfortable serving in a secular position of leadership, give thanks that she is able to serve those above her joyfully and wholeheartedly.

We live in a world where women have never had more freedom or opportunities, and moving from that world to a church where I cannot vote or serve on a board is difficult and constraining at times. As a modern woman—one who is most definitely opinionated and chafes under virtually any restrictions imposed on me—it is tempting to dismiss Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:11-14 as merely cultural and no longer applicable today. A proper understanding of this text does not permit such an interpretation.

But when we talk about what it means to exercise authority, we must do more than simply quote 1 Timothy 2:11-14. We must differentiate between biblical principles and applications. We must remember that the unique callings of men and women were established by God to bestow blessings on his people. We must emphasize that the role of helper is not a mark of inferiority and is not primarily intended to limit how women can serve in the church. And we must always use the gifts God has given us to the best of our ability. When Christian men and women live within the unique callings God established, we are freed to serve him by working together in the church as the body of Christ and freed to bring glory to his name.

For Further Reflection

1. In your congregation, what other positions besides those mentioned above would constitute having authority or teaching authoritatively? What about these positions causes them to be imbued with authority?
2. In your congregation, what leadership positions exist that are not imbued with authority? Does your congregation make it clear that women can serve in these positions? If not, how could that be better communicated?
3. What is your own particular comfort level with assuming leadership positions in a secular society? How can you use this comfort level to faithfully serve those around you and bring glory to God?

Closing Prayer

Lord God, we thank you for those called to teach and instruct us. Bless them as they shepherd your flock, and help us to support and encourage them in whatever ways we can. Help us also to be mindful of our role in your kingdom: to spread the gospel and witness the reason for the hope that we have to a world so desperately in need of a Savior. Amen.

 

Partnering Together to Carry Out God’s Gift of Ministry

by Sally Valleskey

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (Ephesians 4:11-16).

 

Gifting continues!

Today, let’s look further into the gift of ministry as talked about in the previous devotion. Christ himself gave an amazing gift of public-ministry servants to the church. When we know the Giver, his power and identity as Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier who fills the whole universe, we’re led to give in return. We give our praise and honor and respect for the Giver and the gifts.

We noted that God’s gift comes with a plan. The plan continues to unfold in this same section of Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16. It’s packed with action words to guide us as we apply the truths of the previous devotion.

Equipped to Work Together

“Equip” is an action word first given to those in leadership: today’s pastors, teachers, and staff ministers. They are called to equip others. What equipping goes on in your congregation? It’s important to note that God equips those he calls. The equipping tool provided by Christ himself is his Word and sacraments. We’re tempted to take this for granted. Without the foundation of regular spiritual growth, all other equipping is limited.

Here’s an example. We know that the mission of the church is gospel nurture and outreach. One aspect of nurture is member visitation. A busy pastor needs help making visits to the elderly. Any person could go stop by to say hello and even visit for an hour—talk about family or current events or learn about what life was like 80 years ago. That’s all valuable, but because you’ve been equipped by your pastor to go beyond small talk, you are able to give spiritual encouragement. You can talk about the lesson from last Sunday, how it helped you see your sin and Savior more clearly, and how it might apply to the one you’re talking to. Learn to look at your Bible study and worship opportunities as treasured moments that equip you for God’s service.

When we talk about being equipped by the Word, we jump ahead to verse 15 and see the word “truth.” Holding to the truth is a critical part of reaching Christ’s goal of unity and maturity for the church. We don’t have to think very long to acknowledge that it takes time to learn the truth. God has called faithful pastors and teachers and staff ministers to spend hours and days and years getting to know the truth revealed in God’s Word. It’s a key reason to pause to give thanks to God for equipping those who equip us.

Note that Paul’s letter comes with a warning in regard to the truth (verse 14). It’s the devil producing the wind and waves of deceit. The result is being “tossed back and forth”—a much different result than the unity and harmony of mature believers working together and building each other up. God’s intent is that we not remain infants in the faith but that we take hold of opportunities to grow.

Grow in discernment. Check your itching ears. Does it seem like there should be something better elsewhere—something more appealing, something requiring less time, something of your own design? Go back to the truth of God’s Word! Go back to those who are equipping you to know the truth. Then you’ll not only know the truth, but you’ll also be equipped to encourage others in the truth as well.

Being equipped in the truth of God’s Word moves us in the direction of unity and maturity in faith. We’re better equipped to handle delicate situations that arise. Think about a time of service that involved challenging decisions. Maybe it was a building project or adjustments in regard to the pandemic. Maybe the situation became overwhelming with plans disrupted and strong opinions expressed. What a difference it makes to have as our first thought the oneness we all have—“one hope…one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all…” (Ephesians 4:4).

Being equipped in the truth of God’s Word moves us in the direction of unity and maturity in faith. We’re better equipped to handle delicate situations that arise.

Be the one to dispel discord. Think through how you might respond. “You know, we really don’t agree on this, but because of our oneness in Christ, I know we’ll get through it. Let’s take a moment to pray about it.” Your called workers equip you to do this. Honor and respect them for it. You are one with them and with each other.

Supporting and Encouraging One Another

We continue to unpack action words in this rich section of Scripture. The concept of building up includes giving support and being an encourager. A congregation of members who support each other with encouragement is a congregation that thrives. We may not always realize the impact we have on others through our support and encouragement.

Just one example among many in Scripture is the account of Barnabas and Saul/Paul (Acts 4:36-37, 9:26-28). Because of Saul’s background as one who was “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples,” the disciples in Jerusalem were afraid of him. It was Barnabas (meaning son of encouragement) who stepped forward to encourage others to accept Saul. Look at the significant results in the life and ministry of the one we know as the apostle Paul. What a huge gift was given to every generation of the church through both Barnabas and Paul. We’re recipients to this very day!

What kind of support and encouragement might you give to those called to be the equippers in your congregation? How can you build them up? Make a list of individuals, and make it part of your family devotions to pray for them. Your children will come to know how much you honor and respect the gift of ministry you’re given. Be intentional in building up your called workers in your conversations with others—with members and with any in your community. What a great way to draw others to know Jesus. When we show love for members of the body of Christ, we show love for Christ himself. Others see and want to know more.

What kind of support and encouragement might you give to those called to be the equippers in your congregation? How can you build them up?

There are so many who need building up in our midst! Those called to public ministry can’t reach them all. As women especially, look around. Look to offer a simple greeting and word of encouragement from Scripture to our confirmands, to those who aren’t of our cultural background, to newer members, to those on the front lines of being a Christian in a non-Christian workplace, to new moms, to the elderly, to those who’ve drifted, to those who are hurting. Ask God to make you sensitive to those in need of encouragement.

In ministry, we have to admit that sin is a reality. We go back to the gift analogy. Oftentimes a gift comes with an insert explaining that if the gift is used incorrectly, parts will be damaged and eventually the whole thing might be useless and discarded. We keep in mind that because of our own sinful nature, because we live in a world of sin, and because we’re all vulnerable to the devil’s schemes, ministry in the church will not always reflect the order established by Christ our head. Things break. Chaos, dissension, confusion, mistrust, jealousy, and discontent are all signs of what can happen when we disregard the true head and follow another. We do well to acknowledge our contribution to this sinful alternative. Through repentance and forgiveness, we’re renewed by the Spirit to be restored to meaningful service.

Tying It All Together With Love

That leads us to one more action word: “love.” As we’re equipped in the truth, we note that love must be a part of it (verse 14). There’s a familiar quote by the Christian writer Warren Wiersbe: “Truth without love is brutality; love without truth is hypocrisy.” Have you experienced one without the other? I think we all have.

How many have been turned away from knowing Jesus (or knowing him better) because of well-meaning but brutal zeal for the truth with no regard for loving the soul? The Pharisees of Jesus’ day come to mind (Matthew 23). Do you want to be right, or do you want to build a relationship of trust to show someone how to love Jesus the way you do? On the other hand, do you want so much to please someone that all you can do is “love” them with no regard for leading them to the truth? The truth is often painful, but couched in God’s love it leads to maturity and the fullness of Christ, and finally to eternal life.

The truth is often painful, but couched in God’s love it leads to maturity and the fullness of Christ, and finally to eternal life.

Christ’s gift of ministry comes with the plan for equipping all God’s people for the work of ministry. It calls for honor and respect, and it calls for action. When God’s plan is carried out as he intends, the outcome is maturity in faith and unity of mission and purpose.

For Further Reflection

1. What kind of equipping is going on in your congregation? In what areas do you personally see a need for specific training? Check with your congregational leadership to explore resources (programs, training tutorials, podcasts, etc.).
2. Think of a time when you were on the receiving end of someone’s encouragement. What did you learn? What are practical ways you’re able to build up those called to public ministry in your congregation, synodical school, or world mission setting? Be specific; set a time to pray and act.
3. Truth and love go hand in hand. From the section of Ephesians we have before us in this devotion, tell how it’s loving to reveal the truth of Scripture. Give specific examples. What cautions does love bring when we are proclaiming the truth?

Closing Prayer

May God’s Holy Spirit continue to work in each of us as “the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16).

 

Teachers of What Is Good

by Kathie Wendland

Likewise, encourage older women to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, but teachers of what is good, so that they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, kind, and submitting to their own husbands, that the word of God might not be slandered (Titus 2:3-5, EHV).

 

“Likewise…” at the beginning of a passage always reminds us to consider what else is being referred to. Paul has already stressed teaching “sound doctrine” to Titus as a requirement for leaders in the congregation by using the word “must” in Chapter 1. The motivation for Christ-like behavior is secondary to sound doctrine. I want to live a sanctified life because—by faith—I grasp the magnitude of what Christ has done for me.

While that grace in and of itself would be enough motivation, I have also been called by God to be Christ’s ambassador proclaiming the message of reconciliation: that in Christ the sins of the world have been forgiven. That is how we “shine among [unbelievers] like lights in the world, as [we] hold onto the word of life” (Philippians 2:14-15). It seems overwhelming, doesn’t it? If that awesome role were up to me alone, I’d surely fall so short. Yet I have been assured that the Holy Spirit will work in me “both to will and to work for the sake of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). As Paul turns to guide Titus in instructing various groups in the congregation, the “likewise” connects sound doctrine with the teaching that underscores women teaching other women.

Sound Doctrine Produces Sanctified Living

There are many examples in Scripture that help us see sound doctrine producing sanctified action in God’s daughters’ lives. Mary is the obvious example of sitting at Jesus’ feet even while other important tasks needed to be done. But Martha too is a wonderful example. I feel badly for Martha, as she often is pictured as the less noble of the sisters. Her determination to take care of Jesus’ needs as well as the needs of his followers while in her home, however, is exemplary. Lydia was compelled to care for Paul’s needs as well as for Timothy and Silas who were with him. Both women did so because they knew by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Christ.

Martha is the one who again rushed to meet Jesus when he came to Bethany after Lazarus died. Her confession of faith in Jesus as the Christ was stated clearly, and she knew her brother would rise again at the last day. That’s the comfort of sound doctrine, and Martha was living it. So was Mary. Her conviction that her brother wouldn’t have died if Jesus had been there is true for all of us, isn’t it? Because Jesus IS here, we don’t die—not eternally. Because Jesus is here, we have opportunities all the time to proclaim him as the Christ—the Son of the living God—when those around us see how differently we live our lives. They see how differently we speak about and treat our family members, especially our husbands and children if that is part of God’s plan for our lives.

How to treat family and friends doesn’t come naturally to the sinful nature each one of us is born with. It must be taught. It flows from sound doctrine as we are being renewed in the image of God. What then am I to be teaching if I’m an older Christian woman, and what am I to be looking to learn if I’m a younger Christian woman?

What then am I to be teaching if I’m an older Christian woman, and what am I to be looking to learn if I’m a younger Christian woman?

Teach What Is Good

In his instructions to Titus, Paul begins by encouraging women to use their communication skills in a God-pleasing way. Slander and gossip are so popular in the culture in which we live. Social media is now a way to feel popular if that gossip or slander garners more “likes” than speaking well of others or putting the best construction on everything. But that is not the blessing for others that the Lord intended for women when he built them as the suitable helper. Paul further cautions to watch the wine. There’s nothing like alcohol to loosen the tongue—and not in good ways.

After the caution on use of communication skills found in rich measure in women, the attention turns to what should be taught: “to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, kind, and submitting to their own husbands” (verses 4-5). Beginning the list with “love their husbands and children” is the foundation of blessed, strong relationships. Relationships were so important to mankind that creation was “not good” until the man had a partner built from him with whom to have a relationship. The woman named Eve, the mother of all the living, was made to be the blessing from God to build blessed relationships with her family and acquaintances. Every woman has a family to whom she can be a blessing, whether in a marriage setting, a daughter setting, or the family-of-God setting. Every woman is part of a family.

But every woman needs to be taught to love her family. That’s a bold statement, isn’t it? The love needing to be taught isn’t the self-serving, self-gratifying emotion of the world around us. The love here is the Greek word agape. Agape is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love does not fail.” Love, agape, does not come naturally to sinful human beings. Agape describes God’s love in John 3:16: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Those who are being renewed in the image of God are able to model God’s love for the people around them. This is the foundation of blessed, strong relationships. This relationship insight and emphasis is part of the “not good” to “very good” truth that occurred with the building of the woman from the man. Christian women—with the foundation of sound doctrine—are able to model and teach how to love those around them.

Those who are being renewed in the image of God are able to model God’s love for the people around them. This is the foundation of blessed, strong relationships.

This is the love, then, that will compel the actions that follow in Titus. For an example of what it looks like “to be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, kind, and submitting to their own husbands,” refer to Proverbs 31:10-31 and Ruth 1:16—3:14. Both examples describe women: “noble” women, women of “strong character.” These examples aren’t there to give Christian women today a “to do” list. Instead, they are the “older women” we can look to today to see application of the encouragements Paul instructs Titus to raise up women—“teachers of what is good”—who are for many reasons best suited to teach younger women what is so vital to all of us, yet what does not come naturally.

A Vital Part of the Body of Christ

The agape that women have responsibility to teach other women is not only vital in blessed relationship in homes and families. Those families are a microcosm of the blessed relationships found in Christian congregations. Christian congregations, founded on sound doctrine, will grow together as the body of Christ. The body of Christ works together—men and women as a team—to strengthen one another and reach out to the dying world around it with the message of reconciliation, that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ who died for all in the world. We then, as Christian women and Christian congregations, no longer live for ourselves but for him who died for us and was raised again.

In a world which is so confused by sin, a world that has no idea of what love really is, a world that is intent on denying the God who made us and then redeemed us, the body of Christ—with Christ as its head—has a lot of work to do. This is not our work, but rather it is God’s work planned for us from before creation.

In a world which is so confused by sin, a world that has no idea of what love really is, a world that is intent on denying the God who made us and then redeemed us, the body of Christ—with Christ as its head—has a lot of work to do. This is not our work, but rather it is God’s work planned for us from before creation. It is work that is filled with purpose for our lives no matter what gifts God has showered on us as individuals or what callings in life for which he has prepared. It is work that God has designed for men and women to accomplish together, each using the strengths God has given while being mindful of sinful attempts to make those strengths self-fulfilling rather than of service to others.

For Further Reflection

Spend time reading and meditating on Proverbs 31:10-3, the book of Ruth (God’s loving message to his daughters through the ages), 2 Corinthians 5:14—6:2, and Ephesians (God’s message to Christian congregations).

1. As an older woman, how can I model and teach others—especially younger women—what it is to love husband and children as a married woman or family and co-workers and friends as a single woman?
2. As a younger woman, to whom can I look to see what it means to be a “strong woman” in today’s world?
3. As a Christian woman, young or old, married or single, how can I be part of strengthening the relationships within the body of Christ so we all can boldly and clearly proclaim the message of Jesus Christ to the world around us and glorify him with our lives?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, open my eyes to see your gracious and loving plan for me as a woman: valuable in so many ways and walking in the plans you have also laid out for my life here on earth. Open my eyes to see the value of my sisters in Christ as we all live out the unique plans you have for us, plans that bring great joy and blessing to the lives of all around us. Keep our eyes focused on your Son, who paid what I owe so I can be with you for all eternity. In his name I kneel before you. Amen.

 

Walking Through Life With Each Other

by Paula Sulzle

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband (Ephesians 5:21-33).

 

For years, my husband and I have wanted to take dance lessons together. Early this past December, I saw an ad for online dance lessons: downloadable videos would be sent directly to us. I dropped the hint, yup, just dropped the link directly to my husband’s inbox. And then on Christmas Eve I received a beautiful and very professional-looking coupon for the online dance lessons. He got the hint!

So one night in early January, we planned a date to learn something we’ve never done before: ballroom dancing. It was sure a lesson in letting him lead. In fact, that’s what the instructors told us: “It’s his job to make you look beautiful as you both glide across the dance floor. It’s your job to follow his lead.”

A marriage relationship was designed in a way that can imitate a beautiful dance, one in which the wife respects her husband and allows him to lead, and the husband loves his wife and leads in a way that produces bountiful blessings for his wife and children—and as a result, for himself too.

The Marriage Union

God created every person uniquely different, and for good reason! We complement each other. Each person will bring their unique and varying gifts to a marriage. We all have areas of strengths that are not matched in our spouse. My weaknesses are often overcome by his strengths, and vice versa. Exactly how a man and woman partner together will look different in each home. Husband and wife will do well to communicate about their interests, gifts, and desires for the family.

Exactly how a man and woman partner together will look different in each home. Husband and wife will do well to communicate about their interests, gifts, and desires for the family.

In today’s busy schedules and full lives, finding time for productive and healthy communication might mean scheduling regular times to meet. In our marriage, it means setting aside at least two dates per month, several nights per week to connect, and also times to discuss finances, parenting decisions or long-term goals. Making decisions together is key in moving forward together—from the little things (who will do the laundry?) to the big things (what are our priorities when parenting the children?). Husbands and wives can take the time to get to know each other better, recognizing the gifts God gave each of them. Then each will use those gifts to benefit the family.

Will husband and wife always agree on the numerous aspects of life? Most certainly not. We all come with different experiences, expectations, and knowledge. So when a disagreement arises, spouses work together towards an understanding. It becomes much easier to love and forgive someone whom you think of as God’s dearly loved child. A husband who has put God first in his life will want to do what’s best for his wife and family, and he will value what she thinks and how she feels. Wives, we might not always understand the reasoning behind our husband’s decisions, but we know that God has called us to submit to our husbands, knowing we are submitting also to God’s will.

God has blessed our union with six children. My husband and I might not always agree with every aspect of parenting, but there is always one thing we do agree on: that the children see we are united. Sometimes we need to discuss something in private before we come to an agreement. At times, when I share my thoughts and ideas with my husband, he changes his mind about the situation. At other times, he persuades me, and I understand that his way is wiser than my own. There are times that I don’t understand, I don’t like it, yet I submit to my husband. I ask God to help me do this not with a stubborn attitude, but with a respectful and loving heart.

And then, there are those times when I foolishly override my husband’s leadership. When I realize what I’ve done, it takes me right back to the Garden of Eden. Eve overstepped her God-given role, instead paving her own path—and we know what resulted from that. I, too, have seen the results of my selfishness. I see how poorly things turn out when I act with no regard for my husband. I then realize I should have submitted to my husband rather than be like Eve who took matters into her own hands. Wives, in those times, seek forgiveness from God and your husband, and know that Jesus’ robe of righteousness covers you just as the beautiful white gown did on your wedding day.

As the head of the marriage and family, the husband is called first and foremost to be the spiritual leader for the family, to lead his family in devotions and prayers, and to point them to Jesus for forgiveness and guidance. A husband can love his wife best when he loves God most. A wife can love her husband best when she loves God most. Through the love and respect of husband and wife, God blesses the family unit.

The Unbelieving Husband

A husband who submits to Christ as his head is God’s will for all marriages. Yet we know that this is not always the situation. What does God ask of a wife married to an unbelieving husband? Does she still need to submit? Yes, she does! God tells us through the words of Peter that the principle still applies: “Wives, in the same way, be submissive to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they might be won over without a word by the behavior of their wives, as they observe your respectful and holy behavior” (1 Peter 3:1-2).

An unbelieving husband will see the love of Christ by the way his Christian wife lives her life. When she shows respect to her husband, she is also showing respect to Christ and for God’s perfect design.

When Christians live as bright shining lights for Jesus, people begin to notice. In this way, a wife will be ready to give an answer for the hope she has—not only to her husband, but anyone else who asks how she can be a submissive, respectful, and loving wife. God will continue to bless her through her obedience to his will.

When Christians live as bright shining lights for Jesus, people begin to notice. In this way, a wife will be ready to give an answer for the hope she has—not only to her husband, but anyone else who asks how she can be a submissive, respectful, and loving wife.

The Single Person

Christians who are single also desire to follow God’s perfect design for man and woman. When it comes to marriage, though, they might find it difficult to know how they can follow God’s design for man and woman in the home. However, people who are not married can honor this principle in a number of ways.

If you are a single person, let this be an encouragement to you: it is a blessing when you encourage and support husbands and wives in their callings, especially encouraging wives through your friendships. You can discourage the pity party and refuse to join in tearing a husband down when a wife is frustrated with him or his behavior. You can speak well of God’s design and the blessings a marriage brings to the family unit and society. When you use your words to heal, not harm, God is using you to help build up marriages of those around you.

When you use your words to heal, not harm, God is using you to help build up marriages of those around you.

Those who are single can also honor God’s perfect design of head and helper in all areas of their own lives, showing they respect God’s will for man and woman.

Pray for marriages. Pray that husbands and wives put Christ as the head and center of their marriages. Pray for husbands that they will lead in a way that is God-pleasing and builds up their families. Pray for wives that they may turn to their husbands for guidance and submit to their husbands as to the Lord. Pray that both husband and wife will honor God in their unique callings, using their gifts for the benefit of their family and to glorify him.

We see how the church submits to Christ. We see how Christ submitted to his Father’s holy and perfect will. We know what God’s Word tells us—how to honor him, lead holy lives, and work together in our marriages to have beautiful partnerships. Yet we are sinful humans. We fell right along with Adam and Eve in the Garden when they sinned against God. “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners…”

But listen to this! Here’s the good part! “…so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19).

Christ’s perfect life and innocent death won for us salvation. We can walk through life with each other, knowing that God has blessed and strengthened man and woman—husband and wife—with his grace.

For Further Reflection

1. Wives, what are three ways you can show your husband you honor him as your head?
2. How can a Christian wife submit to her unbelieving husband when it seems he only cares for himself?
3. What is one specific thing you can do this week to build up a marriage?

Closing Prayer

O gracious Father, you have so wonderfully blessed us with this beautiful design for a husband and wife. You have given us your perfect example in Christ. Yet we stumble and fall and go our own way. Forgive us for the times when we have not honored our husbands, have failed to be a selfless helper to them, or have not supported marriages through our words and prayers. Use us to build each other up in the roles you have graciously given us. Thank you for strengthening our faith through your Word. Amen.

 

Gifts and Callings: Refining the Conversation

by Kristi Meyer

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)

 

If you had told me at the beginning of 2020 that I would enjoy wrangling microphones, livestreaming church services, and pre-recording choir songs for worship, I’d have told you that you were crazy. Sure, I knew how to run the church AV system, but I was by no means good at it, nor did I operate it regularly. And recording and microphones? Nope. Not a chance. Putting together a slide show of still pictures set to music pushed my tech limits.

But then the pandemic hit, church services became entirely virtual, and I found myself volunteering to run AV so that we could have a consistent and steady presence in the AV booth. Although those first couple of weeks (OK, the first couple of months) were absolutely terrifying, now I love it. And in a twist that I never would have predicted, I’m good at it. I discovered a gift that I didn’t know I had, a gift that I’m blessed to be able to use on a regular basis.

It’s been an incredible privilege to partner with so many people in this area. Pastors and teachers, organists and musicians, congregational leaders and members—all of us come together to make a worship service happen. Partnerships like these can be seen in all aspects of the body of Christ, and—in the vein of this devotional series—they can especially be seen when men and women come together and use their spiritual gifts in service to one another, to the church, and to their Lord.

Partnerships in the Home

This partnership is perhaps seen most clearly in the home. As we discussed previously, Adam and Eve were created to complement each other, to complete each other, to do for the other what each could not do on their own. Next week, we’ll dive more deeply into how this partnership plays out in the home, in marriages, and in unions that produce children. For now, a couple of brief thoughts are appropriate.

Husbands and wives are called to use their spiritual gifts and partner in their marriage and their family, but they are called to do so while also respecting their unique roles. Husbands are called to be the head, to assume spiritual responsibility, to love their wives, to bring their children up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Wives are called to submit to their husbands, to respect them, to support them as they seek to fulfill their role as spiritual leader.

This isn’t going to look the same in every marriage; it certainly shouldn’t look like a dictatorial husband and a cowering wife. The specifics are up to each family unit. Open and honest conversations, along with time spent together in God’s Word and in prayer, are key. The general principle still holds, though: husbands and wives have been given different roles and different spiritual gifts. When they live within these roles and work together using these spiritual gifts, they live out God’s plan for their marriage and reflect the beautiful and mysterious union between Christ and the church.

This isn’t going to look the same in every marriage; it certainly shouldn’t look like a dictatorial husband and a cowering wife. The specifics are up to each family unit.

Partnerships in the Church

I’ll be honest: partnerships between men and women in the church are sometimes hard for me to deal with. It’s not because I have difficulty seeing the value of these partnerships. As a female who works closely with her pastors, I can clearly see how my gifts complement theirs. I can see how I view issues differently as a female than they might as males—different viewpoints that are not in conflict but rather come together in harmony to form a more complete perspective.

No, I have difficulty with male and female partnerships in the church because it seems as though we so often focus on what women can’t do. Can’t serve as a pastor? Check. Can’t distribute the Lord’s Supper? Check. Can’t authoritatively teach a Bible study? Check. It doesn’t matter that all of these prohibitions are biblical. It doesn’t even matter that I probably wouldn’t want to do most of these things anyway. My sinful nature hears “can’t, can’t, can’t,” I immediately become angry and irritated, and all the while I continue to feel more and more restricted.

But these prohibitions are a very small snapshot of what goes on in the church. Don’t misunderstand my meaning: I’m not saying serving as a pastor or distributing the Lord’s Supper or authoritatively teaching a Bible study is unimportant. I am, however, saying that these roles are not the majority of places where partnerships in the church occur, and they’re certainly not the place where most people—men and women alike—are going to serve.

What should be done? Let’s change the conversation. Instead of focusing on what women can’t do in the church, let’s focus on what women can do. Simply by sheer volume, the list of “cans” is much longer than the list of “can’ts.” Each one of us has the privilege and joy of finding our own “can,” our own place to serve that utilizes our spiritual gifts. When we look for our “can” instead of concentrating on our “can’t,” our mindset changes and we are able to pay attention to the positives rather than the negatives.

Let’s change the conversation. Instead of focusing on what women can’t do in the church, let’s focus on what women can do. Simply by sheer volume, the list of “cans” is much longer than the list of “can’ts.”

Is this easy? No, absolutely not. Will there still be “can’ts” for females, “can’ts” that make us feel as though we aren’t serving to our full potential? Certainly. Are all of these “can’ts” biblically commanded? Likely not, and that adds a whole other wrinkle—a wrinkle that we’ll consider in an upcoming devotion. For me personally, that wrinkle is particularly difficult to navigate. But again, focusing on the “cans” rather than the “can’ts” brings a renewed sense of joy and purpose as I seek to build up the body of Christ through my service.

Women and Leadership

When it comes to partnerships and callings in the church, one more important point needs to be made. We hold to Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:11-14 on women not exercising authority, words that we will explore more fully later this summer. The terms “authority” and “leadership” are sometimes used interchangeably, and some leadership positions are positions that are also imbued with authority. At the same time, however, leadership and authority are not the same concept, and one should not treat them as such.

Many women—myself included—are blessed with gifts of leadership. It is entirely possible for a woman to exercise her gifts of leadership properly without stepping out of her helper calling. It is also entirely possible for a woman to exercise her gifts of leadership improperly by usurping the role of head. Women must be careful, then, in how we exercise our gifts of leadership, but it is certainly possible for us to exercise these gifts in a God-pleasing way.

Women must be careful, then, in how we exercise our gifts of leadership, but it is certainly possible for us to exercise these gifts in a God-pleasing way.

This was made clear to me in a conversation I had several years ago with one of my pastors. We were discussing the unique callings of women in the church in general and church structure and governance in particular. I lamented that as a single female unable to vote in the church, I had no official mechanism for expressing my voice in any church decisions made by the voters’ assembly. My pastor said something that has stuck with me: essentially, that I should not conflate not being able to vote with not having influence in the church.

Since then, I have come to see that in spite of being female, I do indeed have a significant amount of influence in my church, and I do serve in multiple leadership roles. I say this not to be boastful nor in an attempt to circumvent the calling of helper which I have been given. Rather, I strive to remember that God has put me where he wants me to be and has given me the gifts he wants me to have. Therefore, I have a responsibility to use those gifts as best as I possibly can—not in violation of my unique calling, but in harmony with it.

Life would be pretty unbalanced if we were all good at the exact same things. Some tasks would get done very well, but other equally important tasks would remain unfinished or be ignored entirely. Similarly, our family of believers would be unbalanced if we were all gifted with the exact same spiritual gifts. Some aspects of home and church life would be enhanced, but the vast majority would instead suffer, and the body of Christ wouldn’t function as God intended it.

By God’s grace, he has given each one of us just the right spiritual gifts. By God’s grace, we come together as males and females to use these gifts in service to each other and to the church. And when we focus on what we can do rather than what we can’t do, our attitude changes and—by God’s grace—we are privileged to carry his message of salvation to a sin-darkened world so desperately in need of a Savior.

For Further Reflection

1. If you are married, how do you and your spouse partner with each other and enhance each other’s spiritual gifts? If you are single, what other partnerships do you participate in where you also enhance someone else’s spiritual gifts?
2. Does the conversation in your congregation focus on “can’t” or “can”? If it focuses on “can’t,” what can you do to change and reshape the conversation?
3. How would you explain the relationship and connection between leadership and authority? How would you explain the differences between these two concepts?

Closing Prayer

Lord God, we do not deserve any of the gifts you shower upon us. Lead us always to give thanks for our gifts rather than desiring gifts that we do not have. Grant that we might always use our gifts to work for the common good and bring glory to your name. Amen.