Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

Welcoming Women

Romans 16:1-16


Merry Thomas

Horeb MTC, Los Angeles, CA

2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.
 


Have you been watching the news lately?  What are the stories about women that are making headlines around the world?  Did you hear about the 300 Nigerian girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram?  Or the stories of the Indian girls and women who are brutalized regularly?  Did the story of Meriam Ibrahim, the Sudanese Christian woman who was sentenced to death due to apostasy, even register on your radar?  These 3 stories highlight the very real and present danger that women face around the world.  To be a female at this time and in this place is to live with uncertainty and fear. 
 
It is in this context that this passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans takes on special significance.  Paul uses the last portion of his letter to recommend some special people in his life and ministry.  The first of his personal recommendations is for a woman by the name of Phoebe who he personally identifies as a sister, and more specifically as a deacon or minister of the church at Cenchreae and someone who has financially supported his ministry and the ministry of others.  Paul is not just introducing her, he “commends” her.  This is a strong endorsement of Phoebe as a person.  He calls her his sister… not just someone he knows or has worked with but someone he has a personal familial relationship with.  He asks the church in Rome to welcome her as one of their own and to assist her in whatever she needs. 
 
Paul, in the course of these 2 sentences, gives us a glimpse of the potential for women in the ministry of the church.  First, he makes it clear that Phoebe is not only a vital part of the ministry of the church but also a personal friend of his.  This public proclamation of her professional and personal connection to him provides validation of her place in the ministry.  This validation clears the way for her to deliver Paul’s letter to the church in Rome as well as gives her a seat at the table of church leaders.  Second, he asks the church to welcome her and help her with whatever she needs.  These requests offer a roadmap for the rest of the “saints” in how they should deal with her. 
 
How do we as the Mar Thoma Church measure up to Paul’s roadmap?  Does our church provide public validation for the women who partner along with the men in the ministry of the church?  Do our leaders personally “commend” the women who support them?  Are we “saints” welcoming of women in leadership positions and looking for ways in which to help them and support them with whatever they need?  Can we take Paul’s guidance and apply it to how we treat the women in our lives and in our churches?

Prayer: Father, give us hearts to see the pain of your children around the world… especially our daughters, sisters, and mothers who suffer unmentionable atrocities.  Help us find ways to intervene on their behalf.  Additionally, give us mouths that are vocal in endorsing the work of the women in our churches and hands that are welcoming and useful to them. Amen.


Thought for the day: May our churches be havens of safety and encouragement for the upcoming generations of women.

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more