Baptists/Yokefellow Ministry

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Expert: - 1/19/2010


Question
Can women serve as a Yokefellow in a Southern Baptist church

Answer
Thank you for your question. The word yokefellow comes from Philippians 4:2-3. So let's see what Paul is talking about "I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and [with] other my fellowlabourers, whose names [are] in the book of life." Euodias and Syntyche were two women in the Philippian church who were in a great quarrel with each other. And this was of great concern to Paul as he states "I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntyche," and Paul is coming down on each one separately. The word beseech in the Greek is parakaleō which means to admonish or extort, so is saying he exhorts both of these women to be of the same mind in the Lord. Paul was not taking sides between these two women, but today we would say "stop arging and get with the program in the same mind in the Lord."

In verse 3 Paul is saying "I intreat thee also, true yokefellow." The word yokefellow is
syzygos in the Greek which means to be yoked together, of those united by the bond of marriage, relationship, office, labour, study, business, or the like,  comrade, colleague, or partner. Paul is asking this yokefellow or partner to help these women (Euodias and Syntyche).

So with Paul giving this definition of yokefellow being people who are partners, colleagues, or comrades in the ministry of the Gospel, this type of ministry would be okay in any church. But it would depend if the church would be receptive of this type of minsitry. You would have to sell it to your church.

Biblically, I see nothing wrong with this type of ministry in the church.

Blessings,

Dr Don Howe, RN, PhD, ThD  

Baptists

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Dr Don Howe

Expertise

I welcome questions that deal with theological issues, relationship issues, church history, world religions, current events from a Christian worldview, "gray areas" that are present today, church growth movements, false prophets, spiritual abuse issues, end time events, prophecy, medical ethical issues, hermeneutical questions, and how Israel fits into God's economy today. I will answer all questions in a grammatical/historical normative interpretation of God's Word. If I can not answer a question, I will do the research and find the answer if available. If you are looking for a liberal theological answer or agrument, do not ask. I am not an expert on church planting or evangelism.

Experience

I have over 27 years of experience doing ministry as a bivocational minster/professional nurse. I do ministry as a volunteer with ministries that are nonprofit and not able to pay for ministers. I have experience working with youth, children, elderly in different placement settings, mentally ill and mentally challenged in different settings, felons in state prison and county jails, hospital chaplancy, choir ministry, and deacon ministry. I am an ordained SBC minister. I am a Professional Chaplain. I am currently doing hospital minstry, ministry to shut-ins, and a chaplain with Victim Relief Ministry working with victims of diasters and domestic violence. I work as psychiatric nurse in large county jail system.

Organizations
American Association of Christian Counselors, Baptist Nursing Fellowship, Nurses Christian Fellowship, Therpon Institute, Victim Chaplain & Counselor Association of America, International Board of Christian Counselors, American Society of Christian Therapists.

Publications
N/A

Education/Credentials
PhD, Therapon University, USVI, 12/07 in Biblical Counseling, DCC, Southwest Bible College & Seminary, Jenning, LA 04/05 in Christian Psychology and Counseling. ThD, Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA 02/04 D.D., Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA 07/03 Tyndale Seminary, Fort Worth, TX 2001-2003 BSN, Univ. of Texas in Arlington, Tx 05/93 ADN, Midwestern State Univ., Wichitia Falls, TX 5/77 Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Externship 08/04-12/05, 4 units of CPE earned.

Awards and Honors
Board Certified Christian Counselor by International Board of Christian Counselors. Issued 01/24/06.

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