Special Issues in
Starting a Local Church

Role of women in church
Are differences of opinion Biblical?
Settling disagreements God's way
Prophesying / Speaking in Tongues

Role of women in church

For some congregations, this is a non-issue—both men and women are content with whatever functions they have. Other congregations argue and split over this issue. This author's caution is that church groups should deal with this issue ONLY as it is a real problem for them. One local congregation in Texas spent months debating whether or not the Bible permits women to teach in services. They could not agree, so they split. After the dust settled, it turned out that there were no women in either group that wanted to teach in their services—some just disagreed about whether it was Biblical. The split was needless.

The advice to "leave the subject alone" if possible does not come from a fear of knowing the mind of Christ on the matter, but from an understanding of the difficulty in determining what the original Bible manuscripts said. Indeed, some manuscripts differ in important areas. The Bible was copied and translated for hundreds of years by men who lived in societies where women were not educated and were not perceived as being capable of doing anything more than housework, farm work and raising children. With this thinking rampant, it is easy to understand how some men might have attempted to "clarify" the manuscripts—making them more restrictive of women.

An example of the difficulty can be found in the book of 1 Corinthians where the New International Version (NIV) Bible translation reads:

"women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says" (1Corinthians 14:34),

yet only three chapters earlier he said:

"And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved" (1Corinthians 11:5).

This verse is obviously referring to praying and prophesying in a service, as 1 Corinthians 11:1 starts by encouraging the brethren to keep the traditions that Paul gave to them—these traditions continue all the way through chapter 14. Referring to praying and prophesying,

"If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God" (1Corinthians 11:16).

How could anyone be contentious about the head coverings used by people who were praying or prophesying in their own home? They could contend with others only if it was being done in their presence.

This is the nature of the study involved with determining exactly what the Bible says about the role of women in services. How can women be told to pray and prophesy in services in one chapter, then be told to be "silent" only three chapters later? There are additional scriptures that seem to support both views. It requires much digging into original manuscripts and trying to understand the precise context in which the scriptures were written.

Many books and articles are available on both sides of the issue. One book is What Paul Really Said About Women by John Temple Bristow.

If this is a major question of some people in the fellowship, then encourage everyone to study it. But if it is not a question, it might be better left alone.

Are differences of opinion Biblical?

When a congregation is not controlled by a denomination or local pastor, some people are concerned that there will be too many "unpleasant differences of opinion". There is good reason for these concerns. "Unpleasant differences" can take away the joy that God wants for us. But differences of opinion do not have to be unpleasant—that is an important lesson to learn.

Numbers 14:11–20 contains a difference of opinion between God and Moses. God wanted to destroy the nation of Israel, but Moses wanted Him to keep them alive. Moses did not curse God and God did not strike Moses with lightning. Nobody became unpleasant and God listened to Moses. Micah's vision of God's throne shows us that God sometimes seeks multiple opinions of ways to accomplish his plans:

"Micah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?' One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.' ‘By what means?' the LORD asked. ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said. ‘You will succeed in enticing him,' said the LORD. ‘‘Go and do it'"" (1Kings 22:19–22).

Acts 15 gives the story of a great difference of opinion: Was it necessary to circumcise Gentiles who were becoming believers in Jesus? "After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them…" (Acts 15:7). Later in the same chapter, Paul and Barnabas were planning to make another trip together, but they could not agree on whether or not to take Mark with them, so they agreed to go on completely separate trips. (Acts 15:36–41).

Romans 14 is another great chapter showing that brethren have different opinions.

"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables . . ." (Romans 14:2–3).

Paul certainly knew whether or not it was permissible to eat meat, but he took this opportunity to teach the bigger lesson that people do not all have the same understanding and are accountable for what they personally know, not the complete facts that may be understood by somebody else.

"But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23).

As mentioned previously in this writing, the Bible gives a very effective procedure for peacefully resolving disagreements—even if the people making the decisions do not always make the right decisions. This procedure is found in Matthew 18:15–17 (see section below). Many people do not want to confront others with whom they disagree—even when they should. Others have a tendency to confront nearly everyone, whether they are right or wrong. But part of becoming like Christ (Romans 8:29) is learning to peacefully help people when they are wrong. Christ was bold and fearless, yet humble and loving at the same time.

Settling disagreements God's way

Hopefully, all Christians would like to resolve all disagreements in the way that God would resolve them. Indeed, many times Christians will pray together and when they feel that they have received an answer from God, they abide by it. But when God does not give an answer (sometimes He lets us decide), then we need a godly method to solve the issue. How can a "method" produce a right decision? Do not one or both people have to make the right decision? The answer to that is "yes", but a right method can increase the chances of making a "right decision" and provide peace to the individuals involved—even when a wrong decision is made. This method works for personal problems, other's misbehaved children, doctrinal problems, church organization issues and even some serious crimes.

This is a fictional example of what might happen if Paul went to Peter about an offense:

Prophesying and Speaking in Tongues

There are numerous references to prophets, prophesying and "speaking in tongues" in the New Testament. Generally, if people followed only the instruction there, they would not have much difficulty. It is various other teachings in addition to the Bible—no matter how well meaning—that cause trouble.

Some people believe that everyone should either prophesy or "speak in tongues" at a worship service. To them, it is a vital part of the spiritual experience of the service. To an outsider (and sometimes to an insider), it can appear to be just so much nonsense or even the manifestation of an evil spirit. At the opposite extreme, some groups do not make any allowance for speaking in tongues or for members sharing a revelation from God. Notice these verses taken from 1Corinthians 14:

"Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.  For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.  But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.  He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.   I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.   He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

"Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? . . .

"So it is with you.   Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? . . .

"For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. . . .

"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.   But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

"Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. . . .

"What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.   All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.   If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.   If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

"Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.   And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.   For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. . . .

"Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.   But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."

From the above verses, it is easy to see a few points very clearly:

1. Prophesying and speaking in tongues are both appropriate parts of a service (though not mandatory).

2. Prophesying and speaking in tongues should not monopolize a service—only two or three of each.

3. Prophesying is greater than speaking in tongues.

4. Speaking in tongues should not be done unless somebody can interpret.

5. Everything should be done for the edification of OTHERS (not the self) in a fitting and orderly way.