Congregational decisions
Where does it say in the Bible that women can’t vote within the church? In a congregation, who decides when Communion is held, pastor, church council or congregation ?
The Bible does not specifically address your first question. The organizational structure of congregations today is quite different from the first-century church. Because of that, we need to take broad scriptural principles and apply them to the organizational structure we enjoy in our congregations today.
Those scriptural principles include that of loving head and loving helper (Genesis 2:18; 1 Corinthians 11:3). Regarding your question, this principle means that “We believe that women may participate in offices and activities of the public ministry except where that work involves authority over men (1 Timothy 2:11,12). This means that women may not serve as pastors nor participate in assemblies of the church in ways that exercise authority over men (1 Corinthians 11:3; 14:33-35).” That statement is from This We Believe, a statement of belief of our church body.
On another section of this website, you will find a doctrinal statement on “Man and Woman Roles.” The section of that statement that addresses your first question follows:
“17. The biblical principle of role relationship applies also to the gatherings of the church. All believers, men and women, will participate at gatherings of worship, prayer, Bible study, and service. The scriptural applications that a woman remain silent (1 Co 14:34) and that a woman should not teach a man (1 Ti 2:11,12) require that a woman refrain from participating in these gatherings in any way which involves authority over men.
“18. In church assemblies the headship principle means that only men will cast votes when such votes exercise authority over men. Only men will do work that involves authority over men (1 Co 11:3-10; 14:33-35; 1 Ti 2:11,12).
“19. All Christians, men and women, are to use their God-given gifts to serve each other (1 Pe 4:10). Women are encouraged to participate in offices and activities of the public ministry except where the work involves authority over men.” This link will enable you to read those paragraphs in context.
When it comes to a schedule of Holy Communion worship services, it could be that the pastor and the Board of Elders propose a schedule and then report to the Church Council and/or Voters Assembly for ratification or to pass along that information. Congregational members might be surveyed to indicate their preferences for a Holy Communion Schedule.
Recognizing the variety of ways that congregations govern themselves, it is probably safe to say that a congregation’s regular Holy Communion schedule often originates with thoughts from its pastor, but then he works through proper channels for the schedule to become the congregation’s.
If you have questions about your congregation’s Communion schedule, do speak to your pastor.