Tuesday, June 05, 2012
More thoughts on spirituality and function
I sometimes hear someone say that it is absurd that spiritual women are not allowed to lead in worship since they are often more spiritual than the men who are leading. This is used as the basis for advocating women's leadership in church or worship. Of course there are women who are more spiritual than some of the men who do lead worship. I just think it is the wrong arguement to use.
Spirituality is not the only factor in determining the various roles seen in church life. There are many qualifications attached to various functions in the church that have nothing to do with spirituality.
For example, elders are to be spiritual, but they are also to be married. So does that that a single man is not as spiritual as one that is married? Enrolled widows are to be spiritual, but also must not have a living husband. So are married women not as spiritual?
Even in practical terms, I would suggest that someone leading praise worship needs to have musical ability. I would not suggest that someone who is tone deaf lead worship based on the fact that they are more spiritual than someone who can carry a tune.
So why do we use spirituality as a basis to try to decide function? No one who reads Scripture would argue that there is an inherent spiritual depth based on marital status, gender, or race. You just can't. But all functions in church are not based solely on spirituality.
So when discussing women's role in leadership or worship, do not argue that the decision is about their inherent spirituality. It is not. It is about function.
Spirituality is not the only factor in determining the various roles seen in church life. There are many qualifications attached to various functions in the church that have nothing to do with spirituality.
For example, elders are to be spiritual, but they are also to be married. So does that that a single man is not as spiritual as one that is married? Enrolled widows are to be spiritual, but also must not have a living husband. So are married women not as spiritual?
Even in practical terms, I would suggest that someone leading praise worship needs to have musical ability. I would not suggest that someone who is tone deaf lead worship based on the fact that they are more spiritual than someone who can carry a tune.
So why do we use spirituality as a basis to try to decide function? No one who reads Scripture would argue that there is an inherent spiritual depth based on marital status, gender, or race. You just can't. But all functions in church are not based solely on spirituality.
So when discussing women's role in leadership or worship, do not argue that the decision is about their inherent spirituality. It is not. It is about function.
