“Sometimes it's tough for women in today's church to know where they fit. That really shouldn't be.” —Charles R. Swindoll

In May 2015 no broadcast was streamed more on insightforliving.ca than Chuck’s message on women’s roles in the Church. And it makes sense—what Scripture says and what culture says about a woman’s role is different!

When we dig deeper into the issues it seems there are four main areas of separation.

1. In the world women have become liberated more than restrained
2. On the job women have become respected more than exploited
3. Around the home women have become assaulted more than supported
4. In the Church women have become confused about their roles more than informed and affirmed

Few things are more countercultural than the Bible’s take on the role of women in the Church. Chuck exposits 1 Timothy 2:9–15, pointing out when the Church takes its cues from the culture it becomes culturally irrelevant, losing its saltiness and light (Matthew 5:13–16).

This topic will always be controversial and people will continue misinterpreting and misapplying the Bible’s teaching. Here are three clarifying remarks based on what 1 Timothy 2:9–15 says about women in the Church.

1. Men, these limitations on a woman’s role in the Church are to be respected—not exaggerated, expanded, or exploited
2. Women, your positive response to this teaching helps the Church maintain its distinctiveness
3. Those who take their cues from the world will neither accept nor appreciate this teaching

“What about Women in the Church?” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Excellence in Ministry: Starting Strong—Doing What’s Right in the Work of Ministry, A Study of 1 Timothy 1-3. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.