On gender roles in the church

This is an area that has sparked a lot of contention, particularly around whether women should hold leadership positions, or teach men.

Those conversations can become amusing because the answers - and guidelines on how to proceed - are right there, in the Bible.

There are two books in the Bible that are instructive on this matter of gender roles in church leadership. Both books are short, obscure (and get overlooked because of this I guess?). 

Both books are letters, authored by the same person. Both letters are addressed to church leaders. The first letter was addressed to a female church leader. The second letter was addressed to a male church leader.

What's fascinating about both letters is how - even though their aim is to communicate greetings and exhortations from the author to the leaders and their respective churches - they address the pitfalls inherent in each gender's nature and style of leadership.

The female church leader is exhorted to not let sentimentalism get in the way of sound doctrine. The male church leader is exhorted to prioritize empathy in dealing with non-church members. Kind of interesting, isn't it?

These books make me marvel at God's foresight and how He has answers to issues His children and church will face, long before those issues materialize.