Discussion Board - Case Study Example

Discussion Board Discussion Board Mark Driscoll’s On Church Leadership defines church as the Christian community throughout history that has been saved and loved by Jesus Christ. Essentially, the term church is in reference to persons of any culture, race and age whose sins were forgiven by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Driscoll, 2008). Further, according to the bible, every Christian is part of the church and is expected to take part in its life with their God-given gifts. However, chapter three of Driscoll’s book goes against its own definition of church and categorically and unfortunately places women outside the role of senior pastors and church leadership.

As a reader, the immediate question that comes to mind seeking clarification from Driscoll is why he characterizes as feminine all the things he identifies as evil, dirty or weak. The book makes apparently misguided and poorly translated references to the biblical book of first Timothy about the role of senior pastors not belonging to women. The actual writings simply state that women can only ask questions after the church service is over but does not explicitly bar them from taking on leadership roles.

Agreeably, the teachings of the bible should guide the activities of the church and more so, the leadership style. But, on the other hand, Driscoll must understand that times are changing and including women in leadership positions is inevitable. From the context of his book, he needs to clarify to the reader that he is actually not objectifying women. He clearly acknowledges that the head of the Church is Jesus and elders are made up of human leaders who follow in his footsteps and get others to do the same (Driscoll, 2008).

Then, with such understanding that leaders are humans, why exclude women? Why would he go further to claim that he was specifically called by God to train men and not women? It is ironical for Driscoll to say that it is a sin for any Christian not to actively love their Christian brothers and sisters as faithful church members, yet segregate them on gender basis. Why would he say that human leadership in the church is about qualified Christians that follow Jesus and encourage others to do the same but still believe that women do not have the qualification?

When he likens leaders to good sheep that follow their shepherd Jesus Christ, what rationale informs him that women are incapable of following the teachings of Jesus? When he talks of Paul teaching Christians to be imitators of him as he was of Christ, does he not realize that Paul was addressing all Christians and not only men? Therefore, why does he have a problem with allowing women leadership roles in the church and confines them to submissive roles? It is unfair for Driscoll to term women as unfit for leadership roles and describe them as gullible and easily deceived.

If the book was meant to teach Christians the concept of church leadership, why are cultural issues and social biases allowed to overshadow the theological concept? Driscoll claims to be interested in remaining culturally relevant; then, why does he not acknowledge the fact that relevance is inextricably tied to changing times and accept that gender does not make leaders? ReferencesDriscoll, M. (2008). On church leadership. Illinois: Crossway Books.