Thank you.

As a pastor I could fear preaching through the final verses in 1 Timothy 2, but instead, I am full of joy and gratitude.

1Timothy 2:9-15 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness--with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Last week we approached the subject of outward adornment. I felt no pressure. It was already proven to me that our ladies don’t resist modesty and they are neither intent on making more rules than God. Paul proposes that the measuring grid for the appearance and demeanor of a lady is a heart of godliness. To preach this knowing that our ladies would embrace the concept with enthusiasm was a blessing to me that many pastors sadly may not enjoy. To witness a response of encouragement in our ladies was indeed a testimony of your godliness in embracing God’s truth. Without a single objection, it seems to me you desire to live with a heart for God and not yourselves. Your response has strengthened and edified me and the other men in our church. Thank you for being a godly witness to us and for showing us a desire for God’s glory despite the competing sentiments of our culture.

This week I am equally confident that the ladies in our church will embrace God’s design for men and women in the church with the same enthusiasm and joy to glorify God. I love being a part of a church family that carefully navigates the waters of rejecting both a licentious culture and a legalist reaction in the church. Abrasive fundamentalism as a movement is dead to us and yet we can still see the sinfulness of worldliness and live with a view to please our King according to his order and design for us. To witness your biblical balance is a joy in my heart.

We know we are not perfect. We all feel the pull of Genesis 3. We know that men can so often gravitate toward an inclination to rule. We know that ladies can incline to ascendancy. We feel the pull of self, and without Christ it would drive our very lives. We know that the responsibility for men (husbands and leaders in our church) is to serve rather than subjugate and protect and cherish rather than oppress. We need your prayer and help for us to resist Genesis 3 temptations to dominate rather than edify you as our sisters. We pray for you that your desire would also be directed by Christ rather than the instinctive consequence of the fall.

Thank you for making it a pleasure to preach a passage that other pastors dread. You are a gift of God’s sweetness to our church. You love and serve us well.

Your grateful Pastor,