Ecclesiological Analysis of Women Leadership: A Theological Reflection

Abstract

The important of the role of women in the life of the church cannot be over-emphasized. This is because research shows that larger percentages of church attendants who are active members are women. Incidentally, directly or indirectly most women are relegated to the background in terms of leadership position in the church probably due to cultural bias or the patriarchal nature and tradition of various culture and the Holy writ. This paper adopts an analytical and theological method in presenting the ecclesiological analysis of women leadership and the reflection thereof. Research shows that the majority of women throughout the world are still suffering from systemic trends of violence, inequality, discrimination, abuse, and neglect at home, in the labour market, church, and in society at large. Also, a second century Rabbi named Judah, Ben Ilai exclaimed: “Thank God I am not a woman, a slave, or a pagan” and down the centuries, many have also exclaimed the same sigh of relief. Some, even within Evangelicalism today, consented that this is the reason why Jesus chose twelve men to be the future leaders of the church and probably why Paul told Timothy not to permit a woman to teach in the church or have authority over a man; this in a sense is a sweeping generalization. Nevertheless, women as followers in the church play a significant roles in the composition of and roles within the church. Therefore, women in one way or another participate in the leading of the church as they influence the leadership of the church in diverse ways. Consequently, this paper examines the concept of Ecclesiology and women leadership and the theological reflection thereof.