Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 06:1 (Spring 1963)
Article: Women’s Fellowship In The Local Church
Author: Donald Muri

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CenQ 6:1 (Spring 1963) p. 23

Women’s Fellowship In The Local Church

Mrs. Donald Muri

President Twin Cities Conservative Baptist Women’s Missionary Fellowship Minneapolis, Minnesota

Of all the organizations within the program of the local church the work of women needs most to be reevaluated. This is the area that seems most misguided, out of proportion, and often far-removed from the church program. There is a special place in Scripture for women in the local church. Although this place is not in the capacity of official leadership there is nevertheless a special place. Woman has been created with a desire to serve and to minister, with a concern for the comfort and needs of others. The Lord Jesus recognized this nature in women by accepting their gifts and service. “And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him” (Matt. 27:55). “There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him; and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem” (Mark 15:40–41). Women were also used in the beautifying of the Tabernacle: “And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen” (Ex. 35:25). This desire to serve, guided into proper channels of service in the local church, could be a means of greater outreach of the Gospel in the community. On the other hand if there is no guidance or plan we find women doing what comes naturally—White Cross work minus, to a large extent, definite evangelism.

CenQ 6:1 (Spring 1963) p. 24

We are confident that the needs which have been provided for missionaries today by loving hands and hearts of women’s groups has glorified the Lord Jesus Christ, and brought much comfort and joy to His faithful servants, but, the New Testament does not confirm this as the primary task of women in the church. In Acts 9:36, 39, we read of Dorcas, “…a woman bubbling over with helpful activities and practice of charities,” and over whose corpse “all the widows stood…weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them” (Berkeley Version). White Cross was part of their service but to make it a principal purpose for meeting together is unscriptural. The program of missions was not placed solely in the hands of women—it was given to the church! W...

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