Church Protocol

Let all things be done decently & in order.

Considering historical and modern church and societal controversies & technologies, clarity is essential. Such controversies are usually rooted in the desires of the world rather than what pleases God; they often arise when believers neglect to observe that though we are in the world we are not to be of the world.

Men may exercise some measure of spiritual authority and leadership over both men and women but women only over women and children.

Per the biblical male headship principle (Titus 2:1-8; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Tim 3:5, 11; 1 Corinthians 11: 1-16; Genesis 30:21; 49:1-2, 28), women may exercise some measure of spiritual authority and leadership over women but not men. Notice that Genesis 30:21 says Jacob/Israel had a daughter. Yet, no tribe was established in her name; tribes were only established by the name of the sons. The "God can use a donkey" claim some cite does not invalidate the male headship principle. Jacob had a daughter but no tribe is named after her. Jesus called/sent twelve male apostles though he despite cultural norms of the time had the power/authority just as he did after his resurrection to call/send females as apostles.

Note that the male headship principle does not apply to activities such as running a computer business or other commercial businesses and nonprofits whose primary focus is not worship and the preaching/teaching of biblical spiritual matters. The Proverbs 31:10-31 virtuous woman had a business but it was her husband who set among the elders at the gate (Proverbs 31:23). This means women may doctrinally head church internal auxilaries whose primary focus is not congregational worship and is not preaching/teaching of biblical spiritual matters involving adult males.

In 1 Tim 5:1-2 Paul in his instructions to the relative young man Timothy uses the same Greek word (G4245, presbuteros) for the aged males (fathers) and females (mothers) that is used for elders (leaders of the people) in many other places to include Acts 20:17. On the surface, this might suggest the women are viewed as elder leaders over Timothy. Yet, in John 8:9 and Acts 2:17 the same word is used in an age sense. Therefore, the application of its usage in 1 Tim 5:1-2 should be constrained by 1 Tim 2:11-15. Therefore the reference to both males and female elders are to be viewed as Paul telling the young Timothy to be respectful towards the elderly males and females seeking to leverage their wisdom gained through age rather than arrogantly lord his authority over them. This is no different than we teach young people today regarding respecting their elders. Paul caution to Timothy applies also to other men and women as far as not lording his authority over them.

In Acts 20:17, 28 Paul speaks to the Ephesian elders using the three concepts of elders, bishop/overseer, shepherd/pastor/feed, saying (17)  And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. (28)  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. In so doing he shows the positional equivalence of modern day commonly used terms of elder, bishop, and pastor with respect to church leaders.

One should note that an apostle is a bishop but not every bishop is an apostle. Similarly, a bishop is an elder but not every elder is a bishop. Within a regional/local congregation context, the word bishop denotes a male with congregation level pastoral responsibility. Therefore, although the term elder may be applied to Women Level Pastoral Ministry, the term bishop should not be so applied.

Congregation Level Pastoral Ministry (Acts 20:17, 28; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; 5:1) and Deacons are restricted to biological males and Women Level Pastoral Ministers to biological females.

God does not call or send anyone in a way that contradicts the Word of God ,the sword of the Holy Spirit.

All participate to various degrees in ministry of the Word of God. Yet, Pastoral Ministers focus on the Word & exercise general oversight. Deacon Ministers are in essence a special class of assistant pastors. Deacons focus on manhood, family-hood, brotherhood, & societal-hood but also on the Word as individually gifted.

Women Level Pastoral and Other Ministers are valuable/important & focus on womanhood, family-hood, sisterhood, childhood, & societal-hood but also on the Word as individually gifted especially with respect to feeding, caring for, and nurturing other women as well as children. Since their spiritual authority is restricted to females they operate in subjection to Congregation Level Pastoral Ministry and Deacons Ministry even if ordained. It is true that in 1 Timothy 5:2 the word translated elder in the phrase "elder women" in the KJV is the same word tranlated elder in 1 Timothy 5:1. Yet, the key distinguishing factor is the word father in 1 Timothy 5:1 and the word mother in 1 Timothy 5:2. The role of the mother is to be in subjection to the father as it is the father who is the head of the household not the mother accordiing to God's divine order. Formally women may be designated with the title/function of Women Pastor/Elder but use of the word Pastor/Elder without the qualifier Women should be avoided. However, in informal speech as a matter of convenience the qualifier need not always be used.

The pulpit/platform is not commanded by God but is a matter of communication convenience some use. Occupancy does not necessarily represent a particular authoritative relationship but rather mostly that of ministerial function consistent with sound doctrine.

During assemblies, both men and women ministers may occupy the pulpit/platform preferably with a separate area designated for women; but women shall not have any preaching/teaching or other spiritual authority over any adult male in the congregation.

Males should not and females should wear a head covering especially but not limited to when praying/speaking or otherwise functioning in/on the pulpit/platform (1 Cor 11:3-5, 10; Gen 24:60-67).

The head covering is the symbolism that shows she understands and agrees to speak not as one in position or attitude having spiritual authority over a male. It also puts the entire congregation on notice in that regard so everyone understand she is in subjection.

Note that the women head covering principle does not apply to simply the reading of scripture or even saying a few words about the meaning or application of scripture so long as it does not involve doing so from a postion or attitude of having authority over or not being in subjection to adult males.

This protocol is to be the humble, respectful, and cooperative attitude, voice, and action of all occupying the pulpit/platform and the pew, physically and/or virtually.

To God Be the Glory!