I think the example of the women who really needed to be ministered to by another women is excellent and effectively demonstrates why we need female clergy.I also agree (and have seen) that many gifted women are damaged by the patriarchal church system.

When you questioned whether men would feel comfortable in a “feminine” church, you hit on an issue that is, in fact, under serious discussion in the US. There has been a concern for several years that churches have become too “feminine” in feel and worship style and that they alienate men. There has been a movement here for years to try to make church feel more “masculine” in order to attract more men. Your point, as it turns out, is being reinforced by men’s ministries across the country. Men don't feel comfortable in what they perceive as a feminine environment, so why should we expect women to feel comfortable in a masculine one?

I also thought you made a good point from Peter’s sermons in Acts that in God’s kingdom, both men and women will prophecy.

My only hesitation is, as Tanya Marlow said, that is sounds as if you’re dismissing Paul’s instructions in 1 Timothy & 1 Corinthians as a weak moment of neuroses. I think that the most effective weapon that complementarians have is the claim that egalitarians don’t take these passages seriously (and therefore don’t take Scripture seriously). My personal take on this is that Paul actually does sound like he’s making a normative command for all churches, but that almost the entire rest of the New Testament testifies that women did, indeed, hold all sorts of positions of authority in the early church. Since both of these paradigms can’t be right, I choose to line up behind the view that seems most in line with Christ’s values rather than behind two isolated passages of scripture.

I know this is a long response. I did love the post and I agree that the whole “masculine feel” issue is nonsense.

Thanks for your comments, Wendy. It's encouraging that as you say, “Never before in history has God given such opportunity for women.” And these will, inevitably, continue, until the Spirit is visibly poured out on all flesh and our sons and our daughters will “prophesy.”

Thanks, Marcy. I view Paul not permitting women to teach as his practice in Ephesus, not binding on all men and women for all time.

I agree that the Church should have 'a human feel'… even as she is also the Bride of Christ. In order to achieve this, the whole body needs to encourage an ethos which affirms and releases both women and men into every area of leadership.

Of course woman as well as men can be both brave and loving!! At the end of the day, I don't think that rational arguments will win with some people. Women just need to get on and do it. Men as well as women need to see women in doing the job providing Christ-like leadership in every area of ministry. Those who are not yet ready to take the heat, can at least cheer from the sidelines and cover us with their prayers.

Never before in history has God given such opportunity for women. As Joel 2.28-29 promised, God's Spirit is releasing both women and men as a prophetic sign of God's purpose. Let's get over the gender issue and in the power of His Spirit focus on taking the message of God's love to the whole world.

I am not sure quite what to make of Paul's not permitting women to teach / have authority — but can't merely dismiss it, as Tanya also mentioned. But there does seem to be good evidence in other contexts for women in various kinds of ministry, and not just in gardening club.