Women of Faith and Ministry Needed Today

Titus 2:1-9
But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: [2] that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; [3] the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- [4] that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [5] to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. [6] Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded, [7] in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, [8] sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you….Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

Character Requirements of Female Leadership
As you read through the above scripture you find strict demands for spiritual responsibility and leadership. The very first demand is “reverent in behavior.” Holy behavior is not a guide but a lifestyle! And remember holiness means strict obedience to God’s laws and will. Only seasoned character molded by years of God’s Holy Spirit presence and a mind saturated by God’s holy Word matures a faithful disciple of Jesus to this degree. This is why godly female leadership is so necessary. Mighty “grandmothers” of the faith will stabilize a church.

But, “slanderers” [verse 3] will destroy the warriors of the Kingdom. This Greek word is the foundation of the English word diabolical, used for Satan and his evil work. How many pastors and church leaders have suffered great loss from diabolical stabs in the back from bitter old ladies! The well known “Church Lady” from Saturday Night Live only reflects the sad truth of many, many supposed Christian ladies, "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” [Romans 3:14]

The church must put its foot down and silence such wicked attacks upon its leaders. Ephesians 4:29 states, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” Only consistent faithful women can be allowed into spiritual leadership because God has much concern over gossip, backbiting and slander among women. Paul warns in 1 Tim. 5:13 “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.“

It is without argument that God demands holiness among women by ordering them away from wine. “Not given to much wine” really says, “not enslaved to wine.” “Not given” is from the Greek word doulos, meaning slave. Any lady hooked up with booze is not a holy woman, according to God’s standards and therefore, not accepted by God for leadership. See my article, “Why It Is a Sin For a Christian to Drink Booze.”

What Are The Ministry Responsibilities of the Female Leadership?
The reason for such high standards of moral character and life style is the great need for spiritual grandmothers! Notice in verse four that the mature Christian women are to pour out their lives into the younger Christian women and disciple them. This is not a small task. “Teachers of good things” encompasses raising girls in every aspects of Christian life. The weight of female discipleship training rests on the shoulders of the church’s spiritual ladies, not the male pastor! This huge task includes teaching them how to be disciplined and correct in manners, raising children, showing consistent affection toward their husbands, self-controlled [over emotions and passions], modest and clean, a good housekeeper, committed to good works [a ministry], and being under subjection and obedience to their husbands. All this is necessary so that God’s reputation is upheld so that no one can speak evil of God’s Word. Titus 2 makes a clear case for church renewal in this area of ministry. Church success demands that the women who have finished raising their children begin the work of spiritual shepherding.

All the character development and discipline necessary for raising up the young women is only accomplished through “doers of the word, not hearers only.” If a church is full of unbridled mid-aged to elderly women who try to control the church, pastor, or its ministries instead of being submissive, obedient servants of the Lord; a cycle of disunity and crippling stagnation will result. But, the Word beams with joy over a true “deacon” as Paul brags - “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea” [Romans 16:1].

The Elite Spiritual Grandmothers

1 Tim. 5:3-16
Honor widows who are really widows. [4] But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. [5] Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. [6] But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. [7] And these things command, that they may be blameless. [8] But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. [9] Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, [10] well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work. [11] But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, [12] having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. [13] And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. [14] Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. [15] For some have already turned aside after Satan. [16] If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

What the church craves for are strong spiritual warriors of prayer and ministry. Most churches waste a church full of “retired” widows. They are looked on sometimes as a burden of ministry by keeping them entertained, by taking them shopping, giving them parties, and other worthless events while the world is blinded and heading to hell and in great need of all our efforts. Paul warns in our text, this pathetic practice is worthless to God. “But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.” Sadly, in most cases we have trained them to feel they are a burden. But, God’s Word states the sixty plus year old widow should be an elite “number” who can only enroll into the sacred rank of service and receive financial support with a proven past of Christian service and discipleship. Actually living out what Titus 2 states the leaders are supposed to teach younger women. And what is their elite work, “Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day” 1 Tim. 5:5.

To have passionate Christians we must have passionate leaders. The church needs to awake and use her untapped spiritual leaders who in most part are wasting their lives while merely attending church services. A revival of Christian discipleship must sweep the church, and our women must gain a new vision and see the mountain of ministries they are ignoring in our churches. Until godly women arise and begin again the restoration of the Christian woman and family the church will lay paralyzed. But, watch the cities change when the women renew their vows and fulfill God’s purposes by their good works and change the heart of the Christian family. O Lord, send us Proverbs 31 women once again!

Created 11 months ago