Women

[LadyRev]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

In certain conferences I have noticed over the years that so many conferences are geared to men...I am not speaking of a men´s or ladies conferences but conferences where the whole family attends.

And they wonder why women/wives/young ladies find other interests...

And cry the blues over those females that are "not so spiritual" or worse yet, they leave the church, leave their husbands, etc.

I've heard all this talk about how the church is being "feminized". That may be happening in SOME churches but it definitely isn't happening as a whole. I see the opposite.

As a youth pastor, I see our large scale youth events being geared towards the young men and IF the young ladies get involved they are left with no choice but to be like the guys. The other option is to sit around bored and pretend to be interested.

Personally, I'd leave before I'd sit around bored while the guys participated and had a good time.

[DividedThigh]

i for one love and appreaciate all the ladies at our church and see them as equal in the leading and ministry of the church, dt

[The Mrs]

And then there's a flip side to this...

If a woman DOES show interest, and digs in and contributes, they are feminists.

Wish there could be a proper balance.

[Rachel]

Originally Posted by The Mrs

And then there's a flip side to this...

If a woman DOES show interest, and digs in and contributes, they are feminists.

I'm so glad that's not always the case.

[The Mrs]

Originally Posted by Rachel

I'm so glad that's not always the case.

Probably not...I'm sure there are plenty of balanced churches, but in my experience, a 'strong' woman was considered a feminist, and out of order. :sshhh

[Sister Alvear]

I am for balance. Most of the ladies that have confided in me their husbands do not even believe in women preachers so this thread is nothing about WP it is about women, holy women of God that for some reason do not feel a part of what is going on in some places.
I personally have no problem but I talk to ladies that are tired of being just a bench warmer.
I have been places where no lady prayed for anyone by the laying on of hands, no lady felt liberty to put a hand on somone´s fevered brow and rebuke the fever in Jesus name, No lady cannot even feel liberty to cast out a devil or teach a SS class...
I am not talking about ladies that want to be the boss...I am talking about ladies that have a real burden for God´s work.

It would be in the best interest of the Pastor/Minister that would encourage his wife to be used in the ministry as well. I am very fortunate that my husband and I have always been a "team" for 23 years. It brings balance to the congregation. Of course we discuss issues in private, but in the end he will have final say when it comes to the ministry. We work side by side and we also have other ministries we are involved in without the other.

I enjoy going to Ladies Retreats because of the fact that I can relate to the woman speaker's language when it comes to certain topics.

Don't get me wrong I enjoy my husband's teaching and preaching, but there are times I like to hear a woman's perspective on the subject at hand.

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

This thread is NOT about women preachers!
This thread is NOT about a woman´s place whatever you consider it to be.

There are several threads about women but I would like to share a DEEP burden that is on my heart about women.

In certain conferences I have noticed over the years that so many conferences are geared to men...I am not speaking of a men´s or ladies conferences but conferences where the whole family attends.

You hear phrases like this: Men let´s all come and pray...men lets all get under the burden...men let´s all gather to pray for these people seeking the Holy Ghost...and I have sat back in obedience but seen ladies walk over and sit down and just start talking, showing pictures of grandkids or this or that...some maybe mumbling a prayer but like they are in another world.

BUT...at home church they are cooking peanut brittle, selling cakes, praying in the alter and helping carry the load...but it seems at times like conventions they are pushed away and a Talmudic image is expressed and then men wonder why the wife walks off...

Those that know me KNOW I am not promoting manly women...BUT neither do I think men carry the weight of a service by themselves.

Ladies talk to me crying sometimes expressing things some would never share with their husbands wondering why they even come to some meetings...

In some areas I am afraid because of peer pressure women get mistreated and I am not for having a pity party.

I talked to one lady (a very popular preacher´s wife) and she said to me.”I feel like I have to go to conferences just to sit in my beautiful clothes because I cannot be the real me. I have an image to portray...”

When we hear people say so and so just up and left (talking about some preacher´s wife) No they did not just up and leave.

We really need to pray for the Pentecostal family in general...Cults drive people to far extremes...

What we are discussing in my thread (women persecuted) is relevant to your concerns. What you are describing is more common than not and has been a part of the pentecostal/apostolic heritage (unfortunately). I would love to have you comment on my thread about your experiences and how they shaped your viewpoints.

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I am for balance. Most of the ladies that have confided in me their husbands do not even believe in women preachers so this thread is nothing about WP it is about women, holy women of God that for some reason do not feel a part of what is going on in some places.
I personally have no problem but I talk to ladies that are tired of being just a bench warmer.
I have been places where no lady prayed for anyone by the laying on of hands, no lady felt liberty to put a hand on somone´s fevered brow and rebuke the fever in Jesus name, No lady ever felt liberty to cast out a devil or teach a SS class...I am not talking about ladies that want to be the boss...

How dreadful! They (women and the men) are missing out on so much. I am like you - I don't have that problem with my husband. I am at liberty to put my hands on whoever needs prayer. I teach a class & Bible Studies. If it wasn't for the women in our church teaching SS class, we would have no SS at all.

What would the reason be that a woman could not excercise her spirituality?

[Rachel]

Originally Posted by The Mrs

Probably not...I'm sure there are plenty of balanced churches, but in my experience, a 'strong' woman was considered a feminist, and out of order. :sshhh

It's a shame strong and domineering are often used interchangeably when they are two totally different character traits.