Ok, well after all these years you know I respect you as a brother. I think we agree pretty often. But I'm going to throw a bit of a curve here, take this out of Bible times and apply to today and something that personally happened to me. You and the others here that believe women should not speak in church read carefully and then reply as to what you believe was done wrong or if there was wrong done and how would/will God judge it.
Many of you have known me before this name that I have now, I'm long term at CC. And so many of you know I was in traveling ministry for about 20 yrs as a family group (myself, sibling and parent). So the story unfolds this way.
One evening we were asked to minister in a church, doesn't matter which, for New Years. We agreed. We began to both sing and bring the message that evening and clearly no one was listening. The women were busy making coffee and getting the food ready for after at the back of the church. And they weren't doing it quietly, people were joking and talking, not giving any heed to the singing or the message. As we struggled to bring attention back to the message I did something I rarely did, I spoke. I picked up the microphone to the surprise of the other two and said "We could be any where tonight. There are parties all over the city. We could be at a country club instead of here, there is no difference if we simply come for food but leave the same way we came, spiritually empty. We can fill ourselves anywhere, but this house is where we come to bring our burdens and leave differently than we came". Silence, suddenly everyone was paying attention. I shook my head and walked away from the microphone.
A break was called before the second part of the service. As I began to walk down the aisle toward the back my mother grabbed my arm and told me to come quick. She said "a lady is asking for you and needs to talk to you." I saw a group of women and my mother led me to them. They were surrounding a lady who was clearly distraught. She said "You were speaking about me tonight" she was sobbing and continued "my husband told me he doesn't love me anymore and wants a divorce. He said I could stay till I found a place but he is moving his girlfriend in. I have only ever been a mother, I have never had a job, I don't know what to do." The women in the church didn't know what she was going through. I prayed with her and then the pastors wife stepped in. I do hope that lady found help and peace.
Now I tell this story not to brag on myself, so lets get that straight. I tell this story because I think it is a good example for those who say a woman should not speak in service. So where was I wrong? Why didn't God tell a man to speak up? The woman was in need of help and prayer. Should I have ignored what I felt the Holy Spirit was telling me? Or should I have not been there at all. Did God make a mistake when he put it on my heart to say what I did? I ask those who believe a woman should not speak, I'm sure some women feel that way too. Please all of you let me know what wrong was done, what sin, and what rebuke God would give me for doing it.
