Answer: Dear Mick,

This issue is open to a wide variety of interpretations. Some believe, as you note below, that Paul’s statements are not absolute, that they are culturally conditioned and must be interpreted accordingly. Among those who accept such a view are those who believe that women may be ordained and may pastor.

Others take a view which would be the polar opposite. In such a view, women could not talk during church (perhaps allowed to whisper to their husbands or fathers), women must wear a head covering, etc.

In between those two are a number of other views – some who would "allow" women to direct and teach children’s church, and to direct children’s choirs, others would go beyond that and see women as able to direct choirs of all ages and genders, as able to teach all kinds of Bible classes and Sunday school. Even beyond that some churches see women as able to give public prayers in worship, and to give Scripture readings. And finally, just short of women being ordained as full/senior pastors, some churches would allow women to give sermons, but not as a pastor over a congregation.

Plain Truth Ministries beleives this is a subject about which we may differ, and that we need not divide simply because we have different traditions.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht