One of my intentions had been to start a category on this blog whereby I make notes of the sermons of my church. We have a new Pastor at my church and I’ve heard several weeks of sermons now. I’ve made notes, asked questions, but hesitated to make any posts.

The reason is that I’ve found that the man who has been called to pastor our church is not qualified to preach the Scriptures. An example of this claim is as follows: upon asking him his position on women being pastors and teaching over men in the church, he stated that the scriptures that deal with that issue were about a cultural issue that the apostle Paul was addressing. He admitted that the qualifications for an elder do not permit a woman to lead as pastor but that the forbidding of teaching and speaking in church was a cultural problem and not a command for today.

There’s a problem with his interpretation of Scripture, however, as Paul mentions Adam and Eve following his admonition that “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.  I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. ” 1 Timothy 2:11-12 NIV

In mentioning Adam and Eve, we see that Paul is setting a precedent of God’s appointed order of how things should run, rather than addressing some local, cultural issue. The full passage is as follows:

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.  I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.  And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.  [1 Timothy 2:11-14 NIV]

I am saddened that this is far from the only example I have of how the man has failed to properly teach the Scriptures.

So as not to cause disruption and agitation at my church, and to keep from the temptation to be a source of division in that church, I have prayerfully decided to start looking elsewhere for Sunday worship. I’ve found some churches in my area noted on the church search section of the 9Marks website [Edit: please use discernment and be much in prayer when searching for a church. I removed the link to 9Marks after some questionable statements made from current writers there. Be Bereans always!]  and, Lord willing, will be visiting those places in the coming Sundays.

Prayerfully,

patricia grace