Our Charismatic Sisters

My son-in-law sent me a Web link to the Assemblies of God Women in Ministry page. While pentacostals and charismatics also struggle with the truth of egalitarian approaches to church and family, there has for a very long time been a strong support of women within their churches and theology that many evangelical churches cannot claim. Here’s a summation of one of their official position papers on that same Web site:

“After examining the various translations and interpretations of biblical passages relating to the role of women in the first-century church, and desiring to apply biblical principles to contemporary church practice, we conclude that we cannot find convincing evidence that the ministry of women is restricted according to some sacred or immutable principle.

“We are aware that the ministry and leadership of women are not accepted by some individuals, both within and outside the Christian community. We condemn all prejudice and self-promotion, by men or women. The existence in the secular world of bigotry against women cannot be denied. But there is no place for such an attitude in the body of Christ. We acknowledge that attitudes of secular society, based on long-standing practice and tradition, have influenced the application of biblical principles to local circumstances. We desire wisely to respect yet help redeem cultures which are at variance with Kingdom principles. Like Paul, we affirm the Great Commission takes priority over every other consideration. We must reach men and women for Christ, no matter what their cultural or ethnic customs may be.”

Hooray for our charismatic brothers and sisters, particularly their women who are on the front lines battling these non-Biblical, but strongly cultural, imperatives that constantly beat them down and make them feel less than God intended them to be. Hang in there. God’s on your side.