More Than Boxes

Episode 3:  More Than Boxes

Welcome to Origin where we look at current events through the filter of a pre-supposition that there is a plan A, an original plan, a blueprint that gives context and clarity when it comes to present-day “elephants in the room.”  We hope to discuss things among us, four decades of women,  that often are subject matters avoided even at holiday seasons with family.  We think it is going to be fun.  Maybe at times a little tense.  Not performed. But just a conversation among friends.

Why we gather:  Recently towards the end of last year we heard a woman, most revered by us, the ladies of this podcast told to “go home” when it came to ministry and leadership.  So, we wanted to have a genuine conversation about Women and Leadership, particularly in and through the local church.  We thought it would be good to mention briefly why this subject matter would bring us to the table of Origin.

·       To alleviate the frustration arising from the devaluing of Christ in people
·       To diminish the loss of voices and giftings at the table
·       To assure young women that they are vital to the Kingdom
·       To expose the disconnect between what we were made for and how we actually live
·       To answer our own questions:  Are we pleasing to the Lord?
·       To confirm the gifts and callings of God in fellow believers
·       To call to the silent voices to speak up, realizing that silence is saying something
·       To support one another more effectively in the God-endeavors of their lives
·       To expose the enemy of building one another up and to building the Kingdom of God

 Our premise:  A scriptural pre-supposition that there is an original design as an overview to answer every question.  Interpretation of scripture must fit within original design.

 Interpreting Scripture:
·       Prescriptive - relating to the imposition or enforcement of a rule or method
·       Descriptive - serving or seeking to describe
·       Equality, Mutuality, Unity, Intimacy 
·       Evaluate in terms of timeless truths, historic records, restricted regulations
·       Fit each verse into scriptural passage, each passage into the theme of its book,           each book into the culture and context of that audience,  the entire Bible into the context of Original Design
·       Welcome Holy Spirit in the journey 
·       Let the Bible read you
·       God is continually revealing Himself and His revelation will unfold throughout eternity.  His revelation will agree with His Word.

 Questions we are asking:  Are we married to our tradition?  Does our identity flow from our traditional beliefs?  Is our identity found in an eternally unfolding revelation of God?  Where is Life? Is God male or female?  Do we realize that Jesus used illustrations that include what we would consider to be masculine and femine?

 Scripture:  Genesis 1:1-3, Genesis 1: 27 & 28

 Sources:
Dictionary.com
The Blue Parakeet, Scot McKnight
God’s Women, Then & Now, Deborah M. Gill and Barbara Cavaness
Assemblies of God Position Papers/Women in Ministry
https://ag.org/Beliefs/Position-Papers/The-Role-of-Women-in-Ministry