Derek Prince: Ministries open to women

This is an extract from a talk Derek Prince gave on the subject 'Women in the church'. Here he discusses which ministries are open to women and which are not. I am not quite in agreement with his closing remarks on 1 Timothy 2 v 12, since he seems to suggest that we can choose whether or not to heed the apostolic directions, but nevertheless he indicates that we would do well to do so. Also, with regard to teaching, he seems to suggest that it is only teaching that involves the exercise of governmental authority which is prohibited to women, whereas it seems to me that the Greek οὐ .. οὐδέ clearly conveys that in the church of Jesus Christ, neither teaching, nor the exercise of authority over men, are permitted to women.

That said, the great merit of this exposition of biblical doctrine by Derek Prince, is that he makes it clear that while there are restrictions on the ministry of women, there are also many vital and necessary areas of service in which women may exercise their giftings and fulfill their callings in the Lord. These include, among many others of equal importance, the ministries of prophecy and of evangelism, with the latter potentially including healing and the working of miracles. Hallelujah for the wonderful women who have served the Lord Jesus Christ in faith and holiness and righteousness, and in submission to male leadership in the church.

Andrew Chapman
http://womeninthechurch.co.uk