Question:
In my church confessing female members are not given the right to vote for office-bearers. If my understanding of Reformed church polity is correct, the authority lies with the consistory to appoint the office-bearers, regardless of the vote (the vote being confirmatory, rather than authoritative). Why can I as a single male confessing member vote, while my confessing sister in Christ is not.
Answer:
Thanks for this question. And you have put your finger on the crucial matter: when the congregation votes for office-bearers, is that vote advisory, or is it binding? If the only thing a congregation is asked to do (in voting for office-bearers) was to give advice, then male and female members could vote. But in our Reformed church polity, voting for office-bearers belongs to the exercise of authority and government (Acts 1:23; 6:2-6; 2 Cor. 8:9) and is to be restricted to male confessing members.
That the vote of the congregation is a matter of authority and government is confirmed by the fact that the congregation’s vote is a decisive judgment. The consistory does not simply take it as a recommendation, but binds itself to the outcome.
Since it is an exercise of authority, women are excluded (1 Tim. 2:12). Let me be quick to add that in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testament, there is a high regard for women and their gifts. Women possess many gifts and may have much grace, but according to the New Testament, women may not exercise authority in the church (1 Cor. 14:34ff). This should not surprise us, for this principle is rooted in the creation order, which was good and perfect, and therefore will never become outdated (see 1 Tim. 2:13; 1 Cor. 11:3).
In the Old Testament, the casting of lots was done by men according to the heads of families (e.g. 1 Chron. 26:13-16). This same practice of headship continued in the New Testament. The clearest example is in Acts 1, where the lot was cast between two nominees: Matthias and Joseph. Most commentators agree that Peter’s address “Men and brethren” (Acts 1:16) indicates that only men were involved in this early election of an office bearer.
What should women do? We should remember that women members of the church can have a helpful and advisory role in all matters on which the congregation is to vote. Husbands do well to consult with their wives on such issues as the election of office bearers. Family members do well to confer with widowed or unmarried women relatives. Women members should feel free to contact elders and deacons with their opinions as to congregational matters. In such cases they are not exercising authority, but serving the church with advice. Their advice may be heeded or it may not be heeded, and much may be gained by following such a process, but let the church carefully guard the biblical principles for church, church government and for all of life.
While I understand that this is the policy of our denomination, I do believe that it is something that could/should be looked at and possibly make a change…Maybe even several changes. I looked up those first 3 verses and not sure how it was interpreted that women are not allowed to vote. Obviously back in biblical times women would not have been voting but men clearly didn’t either but rather they cast lots Time for a change? I see an argument for casting lots, instead of voting which can become a popularity vote.
I believe the verses talking about women not being allowed to speak is in reference to being a minister of the word but if you want to take it further and say they shouldn’t say anything at all… I guess the men will be getting a lot busier as many women teach Sunday school.
Most commentators agree that Peter’s address “Men and brethren” (Acts 1:16) indicates that only men were involved in this early election of an office bearer….So there were some that did not believe it to be only men? Is it possible that sometimes we continue on in the way we’ve done things because that’s the way we’ve always done things?
“In the Old Testament, the casting of lots was done by men according to the heads of families” … I must ask how my sons who are 18 and 19 and still living at home, are heads of their own families, giving them a vote? That doesn’t quite add up.
What should a woman do? While a husband can consult their wife, God has clearly said that he designed us differently and we may have different needs… Making a vote potentially different from our husbands. Yes it would be ideal in a perfect world for a husband and wife to talk about it until they come to an agreement but unfortunately we do not live in a perfect world, but rather a sin filled world As a widow or a single confessing female member, talking to an elder, deacon or your father is great but there very well maybe a lot of people who “rank ahead” of you when it comes to those people…Namely the concerns of their own wife or daughters. With only one vote what is an elder, deacon or father to do?
There seems to be a differing opinion in our denomination on what should be allowed and support for both positions.
I believe it has come up before at synod (with much better voicing of concerns/questions than I’m giving right now) but without the bible saying women should not vote, I think this is a gray area allowing for churches to make a decision. It seems so odd that God did not directly command against women voting when He did about so many other hot topics of this day and age.
There does seem to be room for interpretation but if our denomination does not want to consider it, maybe it’s time to consider those bible verses given about casting lots, and let’s reevaluate our voting system?