[Q1. Rekindling]

There have been periods of time when I have had lapses in the use of a spiritual gift or ministry. The load gets so heavy, the opposition wears me down, overwhelm or distractions come, faith falters, apathy sets in. My advice to anyone else would be what I need myself. First we need to confess the condition we find ourselves in. and ask the LORD for a fresh start. We need to evaluate what has become the center of our focus - problems and self, or the face of our Solution? If the life seems to have gone out of something that had been productive but now feels empty, maybe we need to wait on the LORD for a season to discern if He is changing direction. Spend that time developing a thankful attitude that He still has great purpose for our lives. Praise Him for the work He is preparing. It may take some time, but if we are seeking Him, He will give wisdom and renewed energy.

There are other practical steps to take in the meantime. Stay in the Word. Maintain an honest prayer life. Ask others to pray for you. Seek the counsel of a trusted, godly friend who will tell you the truth about some problem you might be overlooking in yourself. And don't sit down; make effort to look for ministry opportunities. It's just amazing how one small step can often end up leading to great things! I don't believe God will ever ignore the sincere heart that is making every effort to serve Him for His glory.

The primary gifting of God to a saved believer is the Holy Spirit. Stirring up that fire in my spirit would be the most important effort of all, because He is the power and love and strength for self-discipline - enabling us to choose courage. He is the One who presents the call to righteousness. He is the One who compels us to serve. And He is the One who who dispels our fears when we act in faith.

Thank you so much for such an honest and wise reply. How easy it is for me to overlook spiritual basics when my focus is more on service and less on the Solution. Theophila

[Q5. Slavery and Gospel]

Q5. (1Timothy 6:1-2)

In what ways has the Gospel sown the seeds that will eventually destroy slavery?

Why does Paul seem to condone slavery in this passage?

What is Paul's motive?

I don

[Q5. Women in Ministry]

Dear friends, since this is a topic in which various Christ-loving groups disagree, let's be especially careful to state our views with Christian love and gentleness. Denomination bashing and unloving attitudes are cause for suspension of Forum privileges.

Q5. (1 Timothy 2:11-15) How should Paul's instructions about women teaching and leading in the church be applied in the twenty-first century? How do you support your view?

I've been in churches who held that women cannot hold any position of authority, and in others where they could both teach and preach to both men and women. After much confusion and study I've arrived at the belief that women can teach and preach to both women and men with this caveat: If the woman is married, she teaches and preaches while in submission to her husband and with the blessing of the church leadership she's in, and under the protection of their covering... and if single, she's under the authority and covering of her pastor/ church authority, not out there on her own, for the following reasons:

v11 Let a woman learn in silence in entire submission the meaning of the word used here:silence: "quietness, tranquility, stillness referring to a quiet life, think before one speaks. Not to talk at random, or talking too much, to not babble, & to not cause confusion."

This passage is written to MARRIED women who were interrupting the teaching and disrupting the church services, asking foolish questions, which embarrassed their husbands, and should have been saved to ask him after going home. This passage is about ORDER in the church.

v12 I allow no woman to teach or to have authority over men (the meaning of the word used here:to have authority "Usurp authority, self appointed, undelegated authority, to domineer, seize by force, lord it over men. One acting by own authority, to seize by force a position that belongs to another. Domineering is witchcraft."

I believe this is saying for a woman to teach and or preach, she is to be in submission to her husband (if she's married) and is released to teach/ preach to both men and women by those in authority in her church body. Submission is for the protection of women, not a means of enslavement or preventing their gifts from operating.

Jesus broke the stigma toward women which existed in that society by appearing first to women after the resurrection and telling them to go tell His disciples what they had seen.

Paul spoke of Pheobe a deaconess or pastor of the church of Cenchrae and urged that she be received in a manner that is worthy of the saints, and "assist her as she has needs" Rom.16:1

God doesn't discriminate against women, but has provided for their covering and protection as the weaker vessels (not as the weak minded vessels as some believe).

Acts 2:14-18: The Spirit was poured out on ALL flesh, upon sons and daughters, who shall prophecy the will of God.

Thank you so much for your careful study and wise reply Jan Mary. It has given a scriptural answer to a question that has troubled me. I have just joined this study and am encouraged by the love for Jesus around the world. Thanks to all of you and especially Pastor Wilson! Angela Norell