Unallowable

The women should keep quiet in these church meetings. They are not allowed to speak out but should be under authority, as the Law of Moses says. If there is something they want to know, they should ask their own husbands at home. It is shameful for a woman to speak up like that in the church meeting. (1 Corinthians 14:34-35, ERV)

Through the years, some well-meaning churches (and Christians) have used the above verses to prevent women from preaching (or even teaching) in any kind of church-setting. I believe these verses were specific to a particular church during Paul’s time that was experiencing disruption of some kind from a group of woman in the church service. (Maybe it was whispering questions to their husbands during the service. Maybe they were outright asking too many questions of the teacher/preacher as they were striving to learn more about Christianity.)

There are several things I would point out from this passage. The Law of Moses is in the Old Testament, which we are no longer under. Christians are under the Law of Grace of the New Testament. How do these verses apply to unmarried women (whether divorced, widowed, or single)? I have no idea.

On a personal note, when my family attended Eastside Community Church (in a YMCA gym in Gahanna, OH), My pastor at the time, Kelly Preston, was one of the finest ministers I have ever had the privilege of serving under. Her sermons were relevant to what I was going through in my family life. She had both a heart for her community and the congregation. Kelly was relatable, and wanted my marriage to be happy, and a success. In August of 2014, Kelly and Eastside Community Church (ECC) supported my family emotionally and with meals after my wife's bariatric surgery.

Whether you believe in women preaching (or teaching) in the church, it is important to remember the one thing that women are encouraged to do by God as given in Psalm 68:11 (VOICE): “The Lord gives the word. There are very many women ready to tell the good news.”  If you are of the female gender, are you doing this?