Reading: Women in Ministry (Slides)

Women in Ministry

By Henry Reyenga

Meet Johanna Veenstra

Arrived in Lagos in January 1920

Led the work in Lupwe 1922

Medical work and preaching with the Kuteb people

Christian Reformed Church in Nigeria with over 500,000 members.

This church founded by a woman does not ordain women ruling elders.

A Servant’s Calling:

Johanna Veenstra

Edwin Harvey wrote in They Knew Their God about how Johanna listened to Dr. Kumm’s address with breathless interest. As he depicted the condition of scores of dusky African tribes dying outside the pale of the Gospel, her heart was moved. At the close of the service, she retired to her tent where she spent three days alone in communion with God. Then she knew that, in “the heart of the Eternal,” her field of service was to be Nigeria.

Harvey, Edwin F.; Harvey, Lillian G.; Hey, Elizabeth (2013-12-30). They Knew Their God Complete (Kindle Locations 2806-2808). Harvey Christian Publishers Inc. Kindle Edition.

A Servant’s Calling:

Johanna Veenstra

Johanna was not permitted, however, to go to the African field until she was twenty-five. So the next three years were spent in training for midwifery and in work with a city mission that acquainted her with almost every conceivable type of Gospel effort. She took the message of the Cross to rescue homes, prisons, hospitals, gypsy camps, and even into the houses of ill-fame and opium dens in Chinatown of New York City.

Harvey, Edwin F.; Harvey, Lillian G.; Hey, Elizabeth (2013-12-30). They Knew Their God Complete (Kindle Locations 2808-2811). Harvey Christian Publishers Inc. Kindle Edition

Sincere and Honest Struggle

Post-Enlightenment Problems

Unhelpful Extremes 

Two Biblical Positions

CLI Theology Department

We believe the headship principle applies in the ruling elders and senior pastor positions.

As noted in Dr. Feddes’ presentation 

Women Ordained to Ministry

It is allowable based on Scripture for a woman to be ordained to the ministry in the order of Phoebe or deacon.

Romans 16:1     I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.  2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. (TNIV)

Christian Leaders Directory

Christian Leaders is chartered to support the ordaining for the ministry of both men and women. This ordination is in the order of Stephen and Phoebe in the Bible.

Women Ordained to Ministry

Local understanding on this issue:

What your local church or ordaining authority does on this issue is to be respected.

Ministry Includes

Movement Planters

Pastors

Evangelists

Women’s Ministry

Chaplains

Church Planters

Young Christian Leaders

Ministry to the Poor

Family Ministry

Etc. 

Ordination Certificates and Cards

Christian Leaders NPO Designates

Phoebe Smith

Ordained To Ministry

On May 1, 2014

Signed, CLI representative

Signed, Local representative