Silence in the churches

[kscarle]

I am studying this sincerely and if anyone has any input, I would appreciate it. I know the women prayed in Acts, but it is possible they prayed silently...we recently had a revival in out church and the evangelist (Dr. Rufus Edmisten) asked his wife something and she didn't answer, he commented about women being silent in the church. She later told me she was looking into it. I believe the Lord is dealing with me about this...What would be considered the churches? Is it when services start? Before or after handshaking time?

[benshelpmeet]

Dear sister,

Over the years I have been very convicted about this. Recently we were at a church where my husband was asked to preach, and the preacher had no conviction in this area, because the women are very verbal and active in his church. He asked me ''sister Darlene'' to pray for the service. I felt very uncomfortable, but I sweetly said ''I cannot.'' He insisted strongly, so I said ''women are to keep silent in church.'' He said ''but you can anyhow!'' and I said ''no I can not go against scripture.'' Then Bro. Ben spoke up and said ''I'll pray'' Praise the Lord for that! I could have died, melted, dissapered... I'm glad he spoke up in my behalf. I was between a rock and a hard place and all eyes and ears were on me. Stressful!

I've always been taught women are not to usurp authority over men. But I think it's much more than that. I think man is to lead out in preaching, open prayer, bible reading...etc. That's what I feel comfortable with.

A friend took us out to eat the other day and he asked me to pray and I did. Ben and I felt a peace with it. It wasn't church. Just friends getting together. I had no problem with that, though it did feel a little awkward.

[kscarle]

it would be awkward for me too. I do not yet know what limits there are, but I do know the Bible deals with everything so I am going to continue in prayer and reading my Bible.

although the women do not do alot of talking during church, there is still greeting time after the singing has begun...then there is also the fact that sometimes the pastor ask prayer request and such..should I do that after or before services? recently I had a request and I ask my husband to voice it ...but another reason I want to find out about "churches" is I teach the children's Sunday school class. At what point are we actually having church...
thank you for the response, it is comforting to know that there are other women who have been convicted of this relate

[allglorytogod]

I Corinthians 14 : 34, 35

34- Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

35- And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.


I Timothy 2 : 11, 12

11- Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

12- But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.


I have no problem with sitting still and being quiet during a service.

[Tammy]

"Learn in silence" and "if they will learn anything"... these seem to focus on the preaching and teaching parts of the church meeting. I think we ladies are allowed to fellowship before and after, and even give prayer requests, if bidden.

[kscarle]

I agree with the men teaching men and such...we are a very small church and the children are 4, 4, 6. Sometimes we get more but not often. I am still going to be in thought and prayer about his.

allegorytogod,
I am seeking to know the same... I agree with sister Tammy for the most part, but the way our services are run is akward. What if he ask me a question? He does not take prayer request often so I don't have to concern myself with that very much...but the verse about silence in the churches is the one I am studying.

1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

Sister Tammy,
That's about the same as my husband says, but he said I have to work it out...thank you for the input..it is helpful

[kscarle]

I just read an old post by Bro. Ben in the ask a question section and it was inisghtful...

Sister Kristie

[SisterNancy]

Hi, I asked my husband for his opinion on this as he is a pastor. He believes worship- churches start at the Call to worship. For us this is at the beginning of the service but after announcements. However, we know churches that do announcements in the center of the service. it bothers us. my Husband feels that everything in the service is to be done as an act of worship. If you have a greeting time during the service it is to be done as a part of the worship. The woman to be silent in church refers to the teaching and proclamation part of the service. Reading scripture and prayer fall under that also.

[Andrea]

danielzrib said:

"Learn in silence" and "if they will learn anything"... these seem to focus on the preaching and teaching parts of the church meeting. I think we ladies are allowed to fellowship before and after, and even give prayer requests, if bidden.

This is the way we believe.

[kscarle]

I haven't been on in awhile because of studying for mid terms, but I do appreciate the input. There is a woman in our church who is outspoken even during church and I do try to wait for prayer request time to make a request or prayer but the pastor doesn't offer often so do I raise my hand and hope he sees me or do I speak and ask my husband...I have asked beofre church but the pastor forgets and when someone asks me to seek prayers for them I feel bad when not given the oppurtunity.. I do think its ok though if bidden.

[Tammy]

Here is a suggestion: Write the prayer request on a piece of paper and ask your husband to give it to the pastor. This way, you will not even have to wonder if you should speak or not, and if it is written down, he is less likely to forget it amidst everything else he has to remember.

[mitchell]

It is very difficult when one truly begins to honor the scriptural teachings about as many things as they possibly are able. It seems to me that church should not be a place of stress and being put on the spot because one is convicted to dress modestly and cover her head - or to be silent in church and try to maintain the proper place of a woman in this regard.

Most churches now are so ruled by women who also rule over their own husbands, have "careers" and wield a lot of financial power at home and at the church business meeting that the women who are trying not to participate in this feminist dynamic are made to feel unworthy, unlovely and unwanted by the more "with it" women in the "modern" congregations. I have seen a lot of women be brash and even arrogant in their manner of speech before the congregation.

At the Southern Baptist church we attended a few years ago, the preacher did assign me to get up and read from the scripture in the back of the hymnal. Looking back, I don't think it was scripturally right for me to do that, but at the time I hadn't thought a whole lot about it. Hindsight is always 20/20 as they say.

I am amazed at how much the modern day preachers just ignore the scriptures that might offend and cause the moneyed crowd to depart from their church buildings. I've heard some of the most convoluted rationalizations from preachers to 'splain away scriptural admonitions and I'd rather just worship in a corner with one or two people rather than to listen to them any more.


M.

[kscarle]

that was very well said and I too have heard alot of excuses about this subject.I am still struggling with it, but I do not speak out anymore after the services start. There is a pastors wife has been known to openly correct him in front of others while he was in the pulpit. She is also one of these career women.

I have heard it said because they prayed with the men in Acts it was ok, but it does not say they prayed audibly, and they references I know of women singing are outside of the church. I still sing but I am searching that one out as I read through the Bible. I also teach Sunday school which is another reason I want to know.

[allglorytogod]

I do not speak out anymore after the services start.

Somewhat recently I told my pastor I would not speak during service anymore. The evening service is less formal ... there are few people ...sometimes my pastor likes to 'ask questions' like a classroom ... I used to participate but no more ... I will participate only for 'singing' ...

[George]

It is quite fascinating to me that there is a particular verse which most all Churches ignore these days.

(1Ti 2:12) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Notice the verse says a woman ought not to teach, period. (This is not referring to teaching in the home but in matters of the Church.) It does not say except to other women in Sunday School. It does not say except for teaching children in Sunday School. It says flat out a woman is not to teach. Let me share with you what John Gill in his commentary has to say about this verse:

"1Ti 2:12 - But I suffer not a woman to teach, They may teach in private, in their own houses and families; they are to be teachers of good things, Tit_2:3. They are to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; nor is the law or doctrine of a mother to be forsaken, any more than the instruction of a father; see Pro_1:8. Timothy, no doubt, received much advantage, from the private teachings and instructions of his mother Eunice, and grandmother Lois; but then women are not to teach in the church; for that is an act of power and authority, and supposes the persons that teach to be of a superior degree, and in a superior office, and to have superior abilities to those who are taught by them:

nor to usurp authority over the man; as not in civil and political things, or in things relating to civil government; and in things domestic, or the affairs of the family; so not in things ecclesiastical, or what relate to the church and government of it; for one part of rule is to feed the church with knowledge and understanding; and for a woman to take upon her to do this, is to usurp an authority over the man: this therefore she ought not to do,

but to be in silence; to sit and hear quietly and silently, and learn, and not teach, as in 1Ti_2:11."

I wonder why it is that so many Churches ignore this doctrine? is it because they do not have enough men to teach or is there some other reason? I would like to hear other's thoughts on this.

In Christ,
George