Deep Creek Anglican Church Blog

Chapter Ten: 1 Corinthians 11:7-10: Theological Reasons for Head-Covering Rules

Chapter 11: 1 Corinthians 11:11-12: The Equal Standing of Woman and Man in Christ

Chapter 12: 1 Corinthians 11:13-16: Shameful Head Coverings Explained as Hair

Chapter 13: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16: Conclusion and Application

We return to Philip Payne’s significant book Man and Woman, One in Christ and the final four chapters dealing with 1 Cor 11:2-16.

Payne has argued previously that ‘head coverings’ are wild hair, viz:

• men’s effeminate hair in Corinth attracted homosexual liaisons;
• women’s hair let down loose symbolised sexual freedom in the Dionysiac cult, which was influential in Corinth.

Both were disgraceful and undermined marriage.  In the particular setting of Corinth:

• men ought to respect Christ, their source in creation, by not displaying effeminate hair;
• women needed to exercise control by wearing their hair up in public worship.

Payne argues that vv11-12 are the heart of Paul’s concern.  He translates v11 as: “However, in the Lord, neither is women set apart from man, nor man set apart from woman.” ie. there are created differences between man and woman – but in the new community established by Christ, barriers between man and woman have been overcome.

v12 reveals that the “equal standing of woman and man in Christ is rooted in creation and biology and has its source in God” (194).  There is no hierarchy of man over woman.

Men and women can pray and prophesy in church but it must be done in such a way that marriage and the sexual differentiation that God created is not undermined.

Paul states that there is “no such custom” in other churches like what is happening in Corinthian church – in essence a rebellion against God’s will.  Paul prohibits those leading in worship from either practice.

Philip Payne then turns to the application of the passage, namely:

• the long hair worn by men and flowing hair by women in Corinth do not carry the same symbolism of sexual promiscuity today;
• but worship leaders must present themselves in ways that are not sexually suggestive;
• churches must not exclude those ‘outside of Christ’ from attending services, even if their hairstyle is sexually suggestive;
• importantly, men and women must show respect to each other, honouring the opposite sex as their source.  Men and women have equal rights and privileges in the Lord.  Payne concludes the section: “Since in the Lord woman and man are not separate, women who are gifted and called by God ought to be welcomed into ministry, just as men are.”

Have you had the painful experience of being asked to take on a ministry task without adequate training?  Christian leadership is demanding even if the leader has the necessary competencies.  Without such competencies, it is daunting, resulting in many casualties – for the leader and those being led.

Essential to leadership growth is leadership evaluation.  Sandy Jones, the Managing Director of Leading ConneXions, deals with leadership evaluations in:

Chapter Seven: Leadership Evaluation and Mentoring (Sandy Jones)

Sandy is a debrief consultant for the 360 degree leadership evaluation Leader360.  Having analysed the data from hundreds of leaders reviewed with Leader360, Sandy makes these observations:

1. In the Reformed traditions, there is a “strongly critical phrasing.”   For the leader, this represents two challenges: dealing personally with critical input, and developing strategies to transform a critical and judgmental culture.
2. In the Charismatic and Pentecostal traditions, there was much affirmation.  The downside was limited feedback on where the leader needed to be stretched.
3. Despite significant progress, the Australian church landscape still needs to embed a culture of leadership accountability and development, with positive acceptance by the leader and local church of the evaluation process.

Sandy then identifies:

• how evaluations help a leader;
• leadership ‘trip-up’ factors; and,
• various leadership resources, developed specifically to address the learning curves identified by leaders.

Evonne Paddison is the CEO of ACCESS Ministries.  As part of the Arrow Australia Leadership Team, Evonne is the joint editor of ‘A Passion for Leadership’ and authors the chapter:

Chapter Six: Leadership under Fire – Lessons from Paul in 2 Corinthians (Evonne Paddison)

In 2 Corinthians, the apostle defends his integrity, behaviour and ministry as well as the Corinthian believers from apostasy.  With his leadership under attack, Paul exemplifies:

• Humility and resolve: Under attack, a leader’s true character is proved.  Paul is very clear that no-one is sufficient for proclaiming the truth of the gospel.  It is God who leads him in his ministry and he is but a servant.
• Transparency and integrity: Who does not find having their integrity questioned painful?  For Paul, God is his witness (2 Cor 1:23).  He is but a humble container (2 Cor 4:7-11) – salvation is the work of God alone, who will deliver him (2 Cor 4:13-18).  Christian leadership demands integrity in every aspect of our lives and ministry practices.
• Enduring zeal, vision and commitment: Paul knew that one day he would be judged by Christ and his ministry examined.  Paul’s aim was to please the Lord.  He had an enduring vision of reconciliation of God and man, and re-creation (2 Cor 5:11-21).  Paul is totally committed to the Corinthians – as seen in his sufferings and open heartedness toward them.

Evonne concludes: “The lesson for leaders to learn from the life of Paul in his Corinthian correspondence is success is not measured by our won achievements, nor by the attractiveness of a message made to please its audience…[rather] by a heart, a mind and a spirit that rely on God and are absorbed by His will being done and are compelled by His love for all people.”

Karl Faase makes his second contribution to ‘A Passion for Leadership’ in:

Chapter Five: Looking After Yourself (Karl Faase)

Karl writes from the personal experience of progressively becoming more and more stressed in ministry.  But the symptoms at the time were confusing – the problem wasn’t an inability to get out of bed in the mornings but an adrenaline tap that was getting more difficult to turn off.  So out of the painful period ten years ago, Karl provides some very practical guidelines:

1. Assess: ‘Am I in the right role given my giftedness?‘  Do a time check – how much time do you spend using your gifts, compared to time spent in areas of weakness and discomfort.  If the majority of your time is in the latter, then relaxation techniques won’t fix your stress!  More radical change is needed – role change or appointment of team members who can release you to focus on the use of your gifts.
2. Get organised. Develop systems and personal organisation methods to free up your mind.  Dave Allen in ‘How to get things done: the art of stress-free productivity‘ comments that the conscious part of the mind is a great thinking space but a very poor storage area!
3. Think and plan in time segments. In our individual life and ministry life, there are periods of intense activity and quieter periods.  Having assessed the time ahead, give yourself space in the lead-up and exit from an expected intense period.
4. Establish trusting, honest relationships. Stress and relationships go hand-in-hand in Christian leadership.  And that particularly applies to those with whom we have very regular contact.  Conflict is not bad per se.  But it must be dealt with in an environment of love and trust – invest in deep, honest, robust relationships built on love and trust.
5. Work peacefully. Don’t have a pattern of life comprising high adrenaline peaks and low, low troughs.  Work at peace – in daily activities (eg. the way we drive, conduct of meetings, the type of music we listen to).
6. Work at spiritual and physical / emotional health.  As leaders, we know that this is important – the challenge is to do it!
7. Establish clear ministry boundaries. Be vigilant in not allowing your ministry life to encroach on your personal (family & social) life.  Manage your accessibility.

This is a helpful chapter, born out of painful personal experience.  The burn-out rate amongst Christian leaders is amazingly high.  If like me, your ministry demands are considerable and your family life presents significant health challenges, then you will read this chapter and other more complete treatments, such as Going the Distance by Peter Brain or Adrenaline and Stress by Arch Hart with interest and a teachable heart.