Perhaps the one area of greatest controversy today is in how extensive a woman’s ministry should be. As we’ve seen thus far, the Scriptures say that her first ministry is to Yahweh and to her household. Beyond that there lies an opportunity for a woman’s role to be perverted to the satisfaction and approval of staunch educators of women’s liberation and rights, all under the slogan of “a woman can do anything a man can”. Here again, we must turn to the Scriptures to understand more clearly Yahweh’s perspective of the extent of a woman’s role and position of ministry outside her home.

One who received such clarification is Timothy, whom Paul considered a son in the faith. Paul wrote; “Let the woman learn silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Tim. 2:11-12). The inference here is that Paul is instructing about the conduct and authority of women in a mix-gendered Assembly. It is the author’s assertion that a woman should not officiate over such an assembly, as it puts her in a position of authority over male saints. That is not to exclude the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit if He chooses to move through a woman. In such cases, I do not believe He considers gender. Even Scripture allows for a woman to be used by the Spirit: “And every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered brings shame to her head, for that is one and the same as if her head was shaved” (1 Cor. 11:5, The Scriptures). That is to say that a woman should not hold the office of a pastor or teacher over a mix-gendered Assembly.

To another son in the faith, Paul says, “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine… the aged women likewise, that they may be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of Yahweh be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:1,3-5). Titus was given, in this passage, instruction that shows not only the inclusiveness of a woman’s ministry but also the extensiveness of it among the saints. While her position as a teacher does not extend to male saints, it does include teaching other women.

One way a woman can fulfill this ministry in today’s society is by holding the position of chaplain or by working as a volunteer under a chaplain in a women’s prison. In fact, a female chaplain is more appropriate in such surroundings. She can more easily identify with the needs and issues of the flock simply by the virtue of her gender. She is in a position to be a living witness unto the women of her flock; in essence, she becomes the Light of the Messiah unto all with whom she comes in contact. She should be firm enough but loving in exercising her authority and in applying the precepts and commands set forth in the Scriptures so the holiness of the entire flock is assured. The extensiveness of her authority is equal to that of her male counterparts. If there is lawlessness in the Assembly, and proof of such is presented with viable evidences, it is her responsibility and within her authority to preserve the Assembly as a whole. If she fulfills her authority and position correctly, women under her tutelage and care should be mature enough to teach others with sound doctrine and to help her in furthering the Gospel. As well, the women under her care would become better role models against the day of their release from prison. The woman appointed to Prison Chaplain is in an excellent position to impact individual lives for the benefit of so many more.

Another way a woman can be active in ministry is in her local congregation. In these days of lawlessness and absentee parents where there is not female influence, an older woman can become a mentor to a young girl and help her to become the woman Messiah Yahshua would want her to be. Sometimes that means just loving the girl no matter what, being there for her through the good times and the bad – unconditionally.

New families move into the neighborhood all the time and it is the female member of the family who has the hardest time adjusting. The local Assembly of Believers is one of the best places to become connected with the community. If a young woman knows there are other women available to help with the transition, she will be encouraged and edified. She will thrive to the point where she can be of assistance to the next new woman being added to the community.

Another area where women can minister to women is for an older female saint, by virtue of maturity in spirit, to mentor a new creature in Messiah. In this way the fullness of fulfilling the exhortation in Titus may be realized. We all need each other, women helping women, if the Assembly is to grow together in our Faith.

A woman’s personal relationship with Yahweh should bear witness to her character and conduct as a whole. It should also equip her for the role and position Yahweh had predetermined for her. For some, her sole role and position is to the things of Elohim. For others, it is as a wife and/or mother. If the latter is His purpose, her allegiance is to her husband and their children as if it were to Yahweh. Her duties of kindness and care for those of her community are her extended ministry. Within the body of Believers her responsibility is to the younger female saints. Her ministry is to help them know their duty to Yahweh, their obligations to their own husbands and children, and to lead holy lives in general. Conclusively, the very essence of a female saint as a woman is the epitome of her ministry unto Yahweh and unto the Assembly in general.

(see Volume1 Number1 for the first part of this article)