This is a topic that I know has been debated on, and I heard some discussion firsthand on this subject. Here is the arguement:
This was spoken by one of the men in a congregation when he was asked the question about women attending the men's meetings after services. This was brought up because one of the men at the congregation had a wife that wanted to attend the meeting. Neither he or his wife had a problem with it, and this was were they got the justification that it was okay. "I don't think it is a problem as long as the women just sit in the meeting and don't comment. Plus, this is a way that they will know as well what is going on in the church."
To answer this question I came up with some scriptures that I believe will speak against women having the authority to do so. If a woman is allowed to attend the meeting will she just sit and be quiet and not usurp athority over the decisions that the men in the congregation are suppossed to make? Second, what kind of a role is a man suppossed to have verses the role a woman is suppossed to have?
What was the relationship that God had from the beginning?
One man and one woman for life. We have to go back to Genesis chapter two to see this point: Gen. 2:18 "God said, It is not good that man should be alone;I will make a helper comparable to him." Then go down to verse 23, "And Adam said; This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall be one flesh." After Adam and Eve sinned eating of the forbidden fruit God gave both of them certain roles they would have to carry. For Adam, In Genesis 3 he was told he would have to work, and Eve was told she would have to bear children. Genesis 3:16 "Your desire shall be for your husband and he shall rule over you."
Man is to be head of the family, just as Christ is head over the church.
Eph. 5:23. Husbands are also told to "Love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it", (Eph. 5:25)This is very important to establish this point first before we go further. Much is said in the statement," For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the Church." This is the way God intended it to be, and we have to follow God's plan if we are truely a child of God. Fathers are to "not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nuture and admonition of the Lord."
Women are to dress modestly, (I Tim. 3:9) "not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but which is proper for women professing Godliness, with good works." These next few verses pay close attention to for I think that they are very important. "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith,love, and holiness with self-control."(I Tim.3:11-15) Older women are told to teach the younger women. (Titus 2:3-5) I believe that these passages answers the question can a woman attend the mens meetings after services.
First, is it a womens place to attend the business meetings, and in doing so would she usurp authority over a man? The answers to those questions I believe is yes, backed up by the scriptures we just covered. I don't believe it is a womens place to attend the mens meetings. I am not sure all women could just sit in a mens meeting without speaking and being silent. Second, if a husband and wife have the relationship that God intended then she should know through her husband what is going on in the church. If this sort of thing is started at a congregation what will be next? Women being allowed to lead singing, and women being allowed to Preach a sermon? I think starting something like this could stem out other problems in the church. We have to be very careful what things we allow to happen, and if we believe that something isn't right we shouldn't just sit back and let things happen. We have to talk to either the elders or one of the men of the congregation about it. I would love for anybody to share your thoughts on this subject with me. Scripture is where we get all authority, and that is where these answers are based upon.
If their are eligible men in the congregation elders and deacons are to be appointed. Elders are to oversee the congregation and here are the qualifications of an elder. See (I Tim. 3, I Tim. 5:17,Titus 1, I Peter 5:1-3) Here are some passages for qualities of a deacon: (I Tim. 3:8,12)
