Expert: Joe Norman - 8/23/2009

Question
I have been a member of the Church of Christ for 23 years and for the last five or so years our church has been without Elders or deacons(none qualify). The men of the church have been making the all descisions. There are alot more women than men in this congergation, most are widow women.  My question I guess is can the men ask the women's opinions on matters of the financial decisions and then they (men) make a final decison or is that wrong for the women to have any say in what's going on. I also have another question for you is it okay for the church to pay for a Male (1) Sunday school teacher ? I was brought up in the church all my life and my dad was a song leader and an elder in the church and I have never heard of such. He has never received pay for leading singing or for teaching a class.

Answer
Hi Rhonda,

Thanks for choosing me to answer your questions. There are no guidelines in the New Testament as to how to deal with a local church not having any men who qualify as elders. So unfortunately I can't turn to any scripture that addresses your situation. What you and I both know already is that women are not to show authority over a man.

1 Tim.2:11-14
11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

But this doesn't mean women cannot voice an opinion or participate in decisions for the congregation at all. The men can ask the women for their opinions on matters of financial decisions or anything else of importance to the congregation as a whole. The women can provide their opinion when asked for it, but should never seek to manipulate or control any one man or all men in the congregation. Once they share their opinion, it is up to the men to discuss and decide. If they decide contrary to a woman's opinion or even every woman's opinion there should be no complaints. The men hold authority but at least they considered the opinion of the women.

To your second question, I have never heard of any congregation paying anyone, male or female for being a Sunday school teacher. I have heard of paid song leaders though. Generally the congregation is very large when they have a paid song leader. But my dad, when he was young and starting out as a preacher, got paid a little extra because he would lead singing AND preach.

I don't know of any scripture to show it is wrong to pay a song leader or Sunday school teacher. In fact, there is no evidence in God's Word that they even had Bible classes as congregations in the first century. That is why there is a break off from the mainstream churches of Christ who do not have Bible classes at all. They call Bible classes an invention of man. I don't see that it is wrong to have Bible classes, but I do think it is wrong for anyone to think Bible classes will provide all a person needs to become a mature Christian.

My opinion on whether or not anyone should be paid to lead singing or teach a Bible class is just my opinion and nothing more. But I think no congregation should pay a song leader or Bible class teacher. Of course, they pay a preacher to preach, and to teach Bible classes as well as home Bible studies with individuals, visit the sick in the hospitals and nursing homes, offer counsel to married couples, individuals, and those planning to get married, etc.... the list goes on and on.

I hope that I have answered your questions to your satisfaction and hope that I have helped in some way. Yet to God be the glory. I am merely His humble servant. Please remember that I am only human and can be wrong so it is up to you to determine if what I teach is true. If you have further questions, please feel free to ask me. If you want more clarification or anything, please ask me a follow-up question. I apologize for not answering faster. My life is pretty busy right now. God bless!

In Christian love, Joe Norman