Biblical Manhood & Womanhood
Roles of Men and Women
Christ’s Church – Federal Way – 2023
Introduction:
God is “the Maker of all things” (Isa. 44:24) and as such, He designed the sexual identity and
the functional roles of men and women.
Disregarding God’s creative design for sexuality and the functional roles of men and women
undermines the flourishing of marriages, families, the church, and society at large.
We learn from God’s Word that the fall of mankind into sin (Gen. 3:16), the deception of Satan
and his evil spirits (John 8:44) and disobedience of the church have all contributed to the
distortion and confusion of God’s original design for men and women.
There are two viewpoints in the church about the functional roles of men and women:
Egalitarianism states that men and women are created equal before God in their being, personhood, dignity, and worth and there is no gender-based limitations on what functions or roles each can fulfill in the home, the church, or society.
Complementarianism states that men and women are created equal before God in their being, personhood, dignity, and worth and designed to complement each other through God-assigned roles and functions associated with each gender.
The following is provided as a summary of what God teaches regarding His design for men and women and how this is practiced at Christ’s Church.
God’s Creation Design
The Scripture teaches that God created both man and woman in His image with equal value yet with distinct functional roles.
Men and women are equal in four ways: they are equal image-bearers of God in person hood, value, dignity, and worth (Gen. 1:26-27; 9:6; Col. 3:10), share a joint ability to procreate and reproduce other image-bearers (Gen. 1:28), share a joint responsibility to “rule over” God’s creation and “subdue it” (Gen. 1:26, 28) and both have access to and share in the blessing and fulness of God’s salvation (John 3:16; Rom. 10:13; Mark 16:15; Gal. 3:28).
Men and women are distinct in two ways: they are two sexually different genders(male or female – Gen. 1:27). Only females are able to conceive and birth a child. Men and women are given different yet complementary roles or assignments in the home and the church.
There are patterns in Scripture that reveal this equality and diversity in men and women.
≈ Men are given certain leadership roles just as our heavenly Father though equal with His Son is “the head of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:3). This is seen in the following ways:
o Adam naming the human race“man” (Gen. 1:26; 2:5; 5:1-2)
o Making Adam the central character in the creation story (Gen. 2:16-23)
o Creating Adam first (Gen. 2:7; 1Tim.2:13)
o Forming Eve from Adam (Gen. 2:21-22; 1Cor.11:8)
o Creating Eve as a helper to complement Adam (Gen. 2:18, 20; 1Cor. 11:8-9)
o Giving Adam the naming responsibility of all living creatures including Eve (Gen. 2:20, 23; 3:20)
o Viewing Adam as the representative head of the fallen human race (Rom. 5:12; 1Cor. 15:22, 45).
≈ Men were the primary ruling leaders whether patriarchs, leaders of the Egyptian exodus (Moses, Aaron) and conquest (Joshua), priests, Levites, judges, kings, national prophets, apostles, the replacement apostle for Judas (Matthias), and Jesus Christ with only a few exceptions (Deborah, Athaliah, Miriam, Huldah).
≈ Women demonstrated a wide range of heroic characteristics such as the Hebrew midwives (Ex 2:17-21), the daughters of Zelophehad (Num. 27:36), Jael who drove a spike through Sisera’s skull (Judg. 4:17-23; 5:24-30), the Shunamite woman appealing to the king for her house and land (2 Kings 8:3), and the entrepreneurial and godly woman of Proverbs 31:11-31. Godly women honored the Lord and helped men in many ways and different circumstances (Eve, Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, Rahab, Ruth, Deborah, Abagail, Esther, Mary, Syrophoenician woman, the woman who anointed Jesus, Mary Magdalene, the widow who gave two mites, Salome, Elisabeth, Anna, Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Susanna, Martha, Samaritan woman at the well, Tabitha/Dorcus, Eunice, Lois, Lydia, Priscilla, Phoebe, Apphia).
Impact of the Fall
The Scriptures teach that the fall into sin introduced distortions into the relationships and functional roles of men and women.
The decision of Adam and Eve to disobey God caused men and women to be separated from God and, as a result, often misunderstand, reject, and corrupt distinctions between the roles of men and women. In the fall, Eve acted independently of Adam and Adam abandoned his responsibility as a leader (Gen. 3:6).
Misunderstandings of headship and submission have resulted in a struggle, often leading to harmful extremes. We see ungodly men mistreating women (Lot, Shechem, David, Judah, Jephthah) and ungodly women influencing men for evil (Jezebel, Delilah, Michal).
Redemption in Christ gives believers the power to resolve this struggle through lovingservant leadership and willing humble submission. (Gen. 3:16-19; Eph. 5:21-33)
Leadership
The Scripture teaches that God has a specific design for leadership in the marriage and local church.
Husbands are given the leadership role in marriage as they are called to love their wives like Christ loves the church and women are called to submit to the loving servant leadership of their husbands as the church does to Christ (Eph. 5:22-32: Col. 3:18-19; 1 Cor. 11:3; Titus 2:2-8; 1 Pet. 3:1-7)
Both men and women can occupy positions of leadership in the church. Women leading women and children (Titus 2:3-5) and men leading men and women (1 Tim. 2:12-14; 3:2, 4; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Cor. 14:34-36).
The ultimate responsibility for leadership in the church is reserved for men qualified to be pastors, elders, overseers and teachers under the headship of Christ (1 Tim. 2:12-14; 1 Cor. 14:34-36; masculine personal pronouns for elders, pastors, overseers in 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9, Eve was deceived first in 1 Tim. 2:14; the practice of all the churches – 1 Cor. 14:33b; the order of creation in 1 Tim. 2:13; the pronouncement of Jesus Christ in 1 Cor. 14:37-38).
We affirm that the basic meaning of “servant” (diakonos) applies to all in the church. Men and women are exhorted by our Lord to prove themselves great by serving others (Matt. 20:26) and certain qualified men (deacons) “obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith.” (1 Tim. 3:13)
1Timothy3:8-13 speaks of the qualifications for deacons(diakonos -one who serves)and is cast in masculine terms (men of dignity-v. 8; husband of one wife, managing household well-v.12). In verse 11, the word gynaikas can be translated as either “wives” (of the deacons) or “women” (women who serve the church). Contextually, the inclusion of this verse in the middle of qualifications for male deacons, the similarity of the qualifications listed for the deacon with those that are given to the women, and the subsequent transition to family qualifications of the deacon in verse 12 seem to indicate that verse 11 is referring to qualities that are required of a deacon’s wife. Therefore, we reserve the office of deacon for qualified men.
Submission
The Scripture teaches that each person — man, woman, child, single or married — is responsible to yield (submit) to all legitimate authorities. The essence of submission is an attitude of respect toward legitimate authority in our lives.
For the believer, it is expressed first by choosing God’s will over your own, then similarly yielding your will to other authorities that He has placed in your life.
Submission to God’s authority is absolute. The submission to human authorities (Government, Employers, Church leaders, Husbands, Parents) should only be to the extent that they do not require disobedience to the revealed will of God. (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29; Rom. 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13-17)
Both men and women arer esponsible to God in fulfilling their roles. This responsibility includes the submission of the congregation to the elders in the church (Heb. 13:17), of wives to their husbands in marriage (Eph. 5:22-24), and of children to their parents in the home (Eph. 6:1-3).
The Scriptures encourage single adults to serve the Lord with unhindered devotion(1Cor. 7:32-35). Persons in authority are to be humble and accountable to God for the loving care of those submitting to their leadership.
Persons submitting to those in authority are to do so “as unto the Lord,” responsive to the direction they have received (Phil. 2:5-11; Titus 2:2-8; 1 Peter 5:1-5)
The Roles of Men and Women in MEETINGS of the Church
The Scriptures teach that in meetings of the church all things must be done in a proper and orderly manner (1 Cor. 14:40). We consider meetings of the church to be any gathering that is under the name and ministry of Christ’s Church.
Teaching the Scriptures
The authority to instruct others is governed by the elders. Those who teach at Christ’s Church do so under the authority of the elders.
Men are to teach the Scriptures in meetings of the church where men are included in the intended audience.
Men or women may teach the Scriptures in meetings of the church where women, middle schoolers, and children are the intended audience (High School students will be treated as adults).
o At all times, men and women are to have a spirit of submission toward the leader of the meeting. (1 Tim. 2:12; 3:1-7; 1 Pet. 5:5)
Participation
All believers in Christ share in the privilege and responsibility to participate in the life of the church.
At the invitation of the leader or teacher, men and women may give testimonies, read the Scriptures, and pray in meetings of the church whether Bible studies or small groups under the name and ministry of Christ’s Church.
Men and women can share insights concerning the Scriptures during discussion in any of these group settings. (Acts 18:24-26; 1 Cor 14; Eph. 5:18-21; Col. 3:14-17)
Worship Gatherings
Our attitude in worship should bring glory to God. As men and women gather for worship, they should evidence a spirit of humility, reverence, and sincerity of heart.
Bible Studies and Small Groups
There should be an orderly participation of men and women in Bible studies and small groups of the church.
Bible studies and all other groups under the name and ministry of Christ’s Church are to be taught by individuals approved by the elders.
Men are to teach any Bible study or lead any ministry group in which men are included in the intended audience.
Men or women may teach the Scriptures to groups consisting of women, middleschoolers, and children (High School students will be treated as adults).
The Roles of Men and Women in MINISTRIES of the Church
Ministry and Service
The elders (pastors, overseers) should select men and women to provide direction for the ministries of the church. The Scriptures teach that the elders (pastors, overseers) are responsible for overseeing ministries in the local church.
Elders(pastors, overseers) may select qualified men and women to serve in ministry for the building up of the body of Christ through the exercising of their spiritual gifts.
Elders (pastors, overseers) may appoint biblically qualified men to serve the church (Acts20:28; Eph. 4:16; 1 Tim. 3:8-13; Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 4:10-11).
Discipleship
Both men and women should disciple others. The Scriptures teach that discipleship plays a critical role in the spiritual development of believers and the church (Matt. 28:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:2).
An effective model for making disciples encourages the older men to train younger men, and older women to train younger women (Titus 2:2-8).
Counseling
Both men and women may serve as counselors. The counseling ministry of Christ’s Church is a lay ministry and provides care and compassion to those who are seeking counsel in their lives.
Normally, same-gender counseling will be practiced.
Under the supervision of the Director of Care and Counseling, qualified men and women counselors may counsel couples and families.
Missionaries
Men and women in missionary service should follow the guidance of the Scriptures as churches are established.
Missionaries receiving support from Christ’s Church will be guided by the Scriptures concerning the roles of men and women in the church as they respond to diverse cultural and ethnic differences.
Women in missionary service may find themselves in situations requiring them to assume teaching and leadership roles normally reserved for men. This may occur where no qualified men are available. This is a temporary exception to the normal Scriptural pattern (e.g., Deborah as a Judge and Barak – Judges 4)
Once a church has been established and qualified men become available, they will assume appropriate leadership roles.
The Danvers Statement
The Danvers Statement summarizes the need for the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) and serves as an overview of our core beliefs. This statement was prepared by several evangelical leaders at a CBMW meeting in Danvers, Massachusetts, in December of 1987. It was first published in final form by the CBMW in Wheaton, Illinois in November of 1988.
Rationale
We have been moved in our purpose by the following contemporary developments which we observe with deep concern:
The widespread uncertainty and confusion in our culture regarding the complementary differences between masculinity and femininity;
the tragic effects of this confusion in unraveling the fabric of marriage woven by God out of the beautiful and diverse strands of manhood and womanhood;
the increasing promotion given to feminist egalitarianism with accompanying distortions or neglect of the glad harmony portrayed in Scripture between the loving, humble leadership of redeemed husbands and the intelligent, willing support of that leadership by redeemed wives;
the widespread ambivalence regarding the values of motherhood, vocational homemaking, and the many ministries historically performed by women;
the growing claims of legitimacy for sexual relationships which have Biblically and historically been considered illicit or perverse, and the increase in pornographic portrayal of human sexuality;
the upsurge of physical and emotional abuse in the family;
the emergence of roles for men and women in church leadership that do not conform to
Biblical teaching but backfire in the crippling of Biblically faithful witness;
the increasing prevalence and acceptance of hermeneutical oddities devised to reinterpret
apparently plain meanings of Biblical texts;
the consequent threat to Biblical authority as the clarity of Scripture is jeopardized and the
accessibility of its meaning to ordinary people is withdrawn into the restricted realm of
technical ingenuity;
and behind all this the apparent accommodation of some within the church to the spirit of the
age at the expense of winsome, radical Biblical authenticity which in the power of the Holy Spirit may reform rather than reflect our ailing culture.
Purposes
Recognizing our own abiding sinfulness and fallibility, and acknowledging the genuine evangelical standing of many who do not agree with all of our convictions, nevertheless, moved by the preceding observations and by the hope that the noble Biblical vision of sexual complementarity may yet win the mind and heart of Christ’s church, we engage to pursue the following purposes:
To study and set forth the Biblical view of the relationship between men and women, especially in the home and in the church.
To promote the publication of scholarly and popular materials representing this view.
To encourage the confidence of lay people to study and understand for themselves the teaching of Scripture, especially on the issue of relationships between men and women.
To encourage the considered and sensitive application of this Biblical view in the appropriate spheres of life.
And thereby
to bring healing to persons and relationships injured by an inadequate grasp of God’s will concerning manhood and womanhood
to help both men and women realize their full ministry potential through a true understanding and practice of their God-given roles
and to promote the spread of the gospel among all peoples by fostering a Biblical wholeness in relationships that will attract a fractured world.
Affirmations
Based on our understanding of Biblical teachings, we affirm the following:
Both Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, equal before God as persons and distinct
in their manhood and womanhood (Gen 1:26-27, 2:18).
Distinctions in masculine and feminine roles are ordained by God as part of the created order
and should find an echo in every human heart (Gen 2:18, 21-24; 1 Cor 11:7-9; 1 Tim 2:12-14).
Adam’s headship in marriage was established by God before the Fall and was not a result of
sin (Gen 2:16-18, 21-24, 3:1-13; 1 Cor 11:7-9).
The Fall introduced distortions into the relationships between men and women (Gen 3:1-7, 12,
16).
In the home, the husband’s loving, humble headship tends to be replaced by domination
or passivity; the wife’s intelligent, willing submission tends to be replaced by usurpation or
servility.
In the church, sin inclines men toward a worldly love of power or an abdication of spiritual
responsibility, and inclines women to resist limitations on their roles or to neglect the use of
their gifts in appropriate ministries.
The Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, manifests the equally high value and dignity
which God attached to the roles of both men and women (Gen 1:26-27, 2:18; Gal 3:28). Both Old and New Testaments also affirm the principle of male headship in the family and in the covenant community (Gen 2:18; Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Tim 2:11-15).
Redemption in Christ aims at removing the distortions introduced by the curse.
In the family, husbands should forsake harsh or selfish leadership and grow in love and care
for their wives; wives should forsake resistance to their husbands’ authority and grow in willing, joyful submission to their husbands’ leadership (Eph 5:21-33; Col 3:18-19; Tit 2:3-5; 1 Pet 3:1-7).
In the church, redemption in Christ gives men and women an equal share in the blessings of salvation; nevertheless, some governing and teaching roles within the church are restricted to men (Gal 3:28; 1 Cor 11:2-16; 1 Tim 2:11-15).
In all of life Christ is the supreme authority and guide for men and women, so that no earthly submission-domestic, religious, or civil-ever implies a mandate to follow a human authority into sin (Dan 3:10-18; Acts 4:19-20, 5:27-29; 1 Pet 3:1-2).
In both men and women a heartfelt sense of call to ministry should never be used to set aside Biblical criteria for particular ministries (1 Tim 2:11-15, 3:1-13; Tit 1:5-9). Rather, Biblical teaching should remain the authority for testing our subjective discernment of God’s will.
With half the world’s population outside the reach of indigenous evangelism; with countless other lost people in those societies that have heard the gospel; with the stresses and miseries of sickness, malnutrition, homelessness, illiteracy, ignorance, aging, addiction, crime, incarceration, neuroses, and loneliness, no man or woman who feels a passion from God to make His grace known in word and deed need ever live without a fulfilling ministry for the glory of Christ and the good of this fallen world (1 Cor 12:7-21).
We are convinced that a denial or neglect of these principles will lead to increasingly destructive consequences in our families, our churches, and the culture at large.