Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 174:693 (Jan 2017)
Article: The Table Briefing: Men And Women Working Together In Ministry
Author: Darrell L. Bock

BSac 174:693 (January-March 2017) p. 95

The Table Briefing:
Men And Women Working Together In Ministry

Darrell L. Bock

and

Mikel Del Rosario

Darrell L. Bock is Senior Research Professor in New Testament Studies and Executive Director of Cultural Engagement at Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Mikel Del Rosario is cultural engagement project manager.

I had a woman come into my office and plop down almost in tears.” Sue Edwards, a professor of Christian education at Dallas Theological Seminary, turned her attention to the young graduate student. The woman explained, “I was just in the elevator, and a gentleman walked on. I said to him, ‘Good morning.’ And he said, ‘I can’t talk to you. I’m married.’ ”

While this response may seem extreme, this woman’s story highlights the extent to which dysfunctional views of male and female interaction still exist in the Christian community, and it serves as a reminder that the church must recognize the importance of training men and women to serve in biblical roles together.

In this Table Briefing, we share a few highlights from a series of conversations about Christian brothers and sisters serving together. How can men and women develop healthy relationships in ministry? How can men better partner with women in ministry? How can women better partner with men in service of the church?

How Can Men And Women Develop Healthy Relationships In Ministry?

In order to better develop healthy relationships in the church, Christian men and women must relate to each other as equal spiritual members of God’s family. In a Table series called “Mixed Ministry:

BSac 174:693 (January-March 2017) p. 96

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,” Edwards explained the importance of the familial language used in 1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NET): “Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters—with complete purity.” As the story of the woman in the elevator shows, these healthy relationships between men and women are not yet pervasive in the Christian community.

Edwards: [The woman in the elevator] was so taken aback [by the man’s statement] that she hardly knew how to respond. She told me, “I wasn’t flirting. I had no desire in any way. I wasn’t approaching, I was just being pleasant.” And yet she felt like, “I can’t even have a conversation with this person who I want to see as my brother.” That’s one of the things [Kelley Matthews, Henry Rogers, and I] say in the book.You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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