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Dear
Chuck
I
believe the Spirit of God is upon me to teach the Word of God with
love, accuracy, patience and discernment to a lost and hurting world
and to all who hunger for the truth. Several years of schooling and
formal study took place in order to prepare and to show myself
approved. Now, in my home church, I am given every job and project
under the sun to be responsible for, except "teaching the Word
of God." My heart and my passion is teaching. Of course, I
don't mind "serving" in other areas, but, I know where my
actual "calling" is.
How
do I move from "general project" manager into my area of
calling? I certainly don't want to come across as self-willed,
self-promoting or a feminist. Help!
Chuck's
Response
Thanks
for the note about not being able to use your gifts in your home
church. This might not be practical or even feel good to your heart,
but I have found myself in this sort of situation in the past, and
have simply moved on to another fellowship that encouraged my gifts.
I would recommend you do the same. God doesn't want you to be
stilted. He gave you your spiritual gifts and training to present
Jesus Christ to the hurting world you mentioned.
I
will say that I don't believe a woman can have the position of
pastor in a church because 1 Timothy 3 says that a pastor is to be
the husband of one woman, and Christ (a man) is the head of the
heavenly church. But I do believe that a woman can have the gift of
pastor/teacher/shepherd. My wife, Barb, has this gift and she
teaches three or four Bible studies a week and changes lives just
like you will. Is there any reason why you can't just pick up stakes
and look for a church that needs your wonderful gifts? I know that's
easy for me to say ... but it's just a thought for your
consideration. I get excited thinking about your passion to present
Christ to the world. We need more people like you in the church. Let
me know if you want to talk further.
Chuck
Snyder |
