Do Women Have A Right to Preach?

Rev. Angela Lee Price

For those who still believe women are not called to preach the Word of God, you should know it is empowering to many women that God used a woman, Mary Magdalene to deliver the important message, "He is risen." "Jesus said unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father..." (John 20:17).

Notice what he did not tell her to do, "go and play." The children are frighten by what has happened. Please go and calm them. He didn't say, "go and pray." Some are not going to believe I have risen. You need to pray. He didn't say, "go and lay." You need to go home and lay down. This excitement is too much for a woman. He didn't say, "go and stay." You need to stay out of sight. You're a second-class citizen, and you have a shady past. People might misconstrue your reason for being here so early this Sunday morning.

Now, I know what you are going to say, "Rev. Angela, you can't use that passage to say women are called to preach." Jesus is simply asking her to deliver a message. That's all. If I ask my administrative assistant to deliver a message to my colleagues, does that mean she is called to preach? I don't think so." Well, there may be some merit in what you are saying, but somebody say, "Nevertheless." "Nevertheless!" Nevertheless, this passage empowers women today, and gives them hope for the future.

Here it is, the most important moment in all of biblical history, and a woman is selected, elected, and enlisted for duty. Women today are empowered by (1) Mary's presence and (2) Jesus' enlistment. Mary is present. She is at the right place at the right time, and as the song says, she receives a blessing from the Lord! Mary has walked by faith and not by sight. You need to know that despite all the intellect, reason, and testosterone in the world, without faith it is impossible to please God. Mary is present. And it is her mustard seed-size faith that has moved moutains in the hearts of women today. Women make up 70-80% of most churches today. We are present. Women today have Jesus' back and the Black Church's back. And just as Jesus rewarded Mary Magdelene, we are confident Jesus can and will reward our presence and our faith. Mary Magdelene is present.

Secondly, We see Jesus' enlistment. Jesus has just died on a rugged Cross, and gotten up from a cold, dusty, borrowed grave. And what does he do? He selects, elects, and enlists Mary Magadelene, of all people, the woman once possessed with seven demons. She is the first selected, elected, and enlisted to deliver the message that saved the world, He is risen. He elects her to go and say. Here in John 20, we see that preparation + opportunity = enlistment. You need to know that despite your race, gender, pedigree, or circumstance, God can use you, too, to go and say! The question that begs to be answered is, "Where were the disciples?" He kept telling them what to expect. They walked with Him and talked with Him. He prepared them for three years, and yet not one of them had enough faith to be there when He got up? So, it is Mary Magadelene who is sent to deliver the confirming word of redemption.

One of the preaching women of God in the following documentary states, and I'm paraphrasing - if women can be sent to fight a war in Iraq, surely they can be called to preach the Word of God! And to that I say, "Hallelujah!"
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YouTube Description:

In this powerful documentary you will meet more than 40 anointed women preachers across denominational lines, and be provoked by others who oppose them. So do women have the right to preach? You decide! Some use the words of Apostle Paul and say no! Others hear the call of God and say yes! No matter where you stand on the issue, you can't afford to sit on it. Hear from Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale, Dr. Betty Price, Co-Pastor Susie Owens, Rev. Dr. Elaine Flake, Dr. Suzan Johnson--Cook, Pastor Darlene Bishop, Bishop Millicent Hunter, Dr. Wanda Davis Turner, Dr. N. Cindy Trimm, Bishop Ernestine Reems-Dickerson and Pastor Paula White, just to name a few.... as they share their life changing testimonies and ministry experiences along with expressions of opposition from those who wish to stop this powerful movement of Women In Ministry.

Remember, it is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves. Jesus Saves!