Women in ministry: Rev. John MacArthur owes you an apology

Christian Post ^ | 10/23/2019 | Jamie Morgan

[SeekAndFind]

This week evangelical pastor John MacArthur haughtily told Beth Moore to, “Go home,” when questioned regarding his thoughts about her. Then, as if this heartless comment wasn’t cringe-worthy enough, he compared Beth Moore’s sacred ministry call to that of a salesperson peddling jewelry on television.

Here’s the thing: MacArthur’s stinging discourse regarding Beth Moore, wasn’t really about Beth Moore. He was disparaging every woman who has ever answered the call to ministry. In one clean swoop, he maligned Huldah, Deborah, Miriam, Priscilla, Phoebe, and Junia … and you. John MacArthur owes you an apology.

But a far weighty matter is that MacArthur’s attack against Beth Moore constituted an attack against the character of God. When the enemy uses someone to devalue either gender, it is an attempt to diminish the power of the cross and dilute the blood of Jesus. Both genders are made in the image of God; it is God who places and empowers women in positions of biblical leadership.

While it remains to be seen if John MacArthur will ever apologize to Beth Moore, or ask forgiveness of Almighty God, you deserve an apology. Someone needs to acknowledge the hurt, pain, lies, and injustices you have withstood at the hand of the enemy. And let that someone be me.

Women in ministry, I profusely apologize to you for the actions and words of John MacArthur and anyone else who has ever opposed God’s call on your life.

I’m sorry so for any discouragement you have received. I’m sorry if you have been discounted, overlooked, or made to feel like a leper. I’m sorry for every critical stone that has been hurled your way.

I’m also sorry that entire church doctrines have been written to preclude you from ministry. I’m sorry if you have been erroneously taught that women are God’s fallback option if a man isn’t willing or available. I’m sorry for all the times you had to stop advancing the Kingdom in order to answer your faultfinders.

I’m deeply sorry for the pain, rejection, and loneliness you have endured. I’m sorry if your gifts and talents have lain dormant. I’m sorry for all of the wasted time. I’m sorry for the souls that haven’t been won.

I’m profoundly sorry if needed ministry support has been sorely lacking. I’m sorry if no one pours into you. I’m sorry if you’ve had to encourage yourself in the Lord again and again out of necessity. I’m sorry you have to navigate through major ministry problems alone.

I’m sorry. I’m so very, very sorry. From the bottom of this female minister’s heart, I am genuinely sorry.

And now I affirm that there is a call on your life and a destiny God has called you to fulfill. I affirm that you are loaded with gifts, talents, anointings, and mantles. I affirm that you were born with a purpose to fulfill. And that your very existence on this earth proves there is something God wants to accomplish through you.

I affirm that there are people God has called you to reach with the Gospel. I affirm that God will prepare you, equip you, and launch you in the place of ministry to which you have been called. I affirm that you are God’s first choice for the ministry to which you are called.

I affirm that God will help you answer His call on your life. He will perform miracles, open doors, part rivers, and move mountains on your behalf. He will blast through every obstacle the enemy places in your path to hinder you from answering His call on your life.

Yes, you have been hurt, discouraged, and disappointed, but God doesn’t waste pain. He will use you to minister salvation and healing to the lost and broken, utilizing everything you have been through.

Oh, and, John MacArthur, we forgive you, for you know not what you do.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jamie Morgan is lead pastor of Life Church (Assemblies of God) in Williamstown, NJ. She graduated with her Master of Arts in Practical Theology from Oral Roberts University and is pursuing her Doctor of Ministry at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Jamie is the author of“A Journey to Ministry: Discover Your Calling, Purpose, and Destiny.”

[Tom in SFCA]

that explains a lot. wonder how long before they accept homosexuality?

That's the usual progression. Embrace 'egalitarianism' wrt female pastors then accept everything else the culture demands.

[freepertoo]

Yep, and the reason for this is that the Lord is very fond of symbols and pictures, if you will, that signify the spiritual. The sacrificial lamb, the blood over the doorposts during the Exodus (above, and both sides), the wine and the bread, etc. Ask one or more of the old prophets how graphic and incovenient that could be! Christ is the head of his church (his bride). Thus, male teachers, pastors. Visual picture. Women are encourage to be active in the church and Paul praises a few in high places (rare in his day and time). But as “heads of the flock,” the Bible uses a word picture and wants the male to be head.

[OrangeHoof]

Technically, man was made in the image of God and woman was made from man’s rib.

This tirade doesn’t make clear the debate between Dr. McArthur and Ms. Moore other than she took umbrage at his dismissive reaction of “go home”.

But her attempt to punish Dr. McArthur for the many clear passages in both the Old Testament and New Testament that does not regard men and women as fully equal in all contexts is seemingly the same as blaming anti-homosexual clergy for believing what the Bible clearly says.

Women do have immense value, within the church and in ministry, but if they fail to practice what the Bible clearly teaches, they’re preaching apostasy, pure and simple.

[ducttape45]

Agreed, he has nothing to apologize for, the writer of the article, however, does!

[ealgeone]

I've known some very godly women who really knew their Bible...better than some pastors in some cases. Yet they were very willing to submit to His authority in this case.

Would they have made strong pastors? No doubt.

But that is not what He ordained in terms of who can be a pastor.

[uptowngirl]

“He was disparaging every woman who has ever answered the call to ministry”.
No. Just the ones who teach bad doctrine.

[Texan]

Have been in many small group Bible studies using Beth Moore's videos and work books. Excellent material IMO.

That's been a few years ago. Don't know what she's doing now.

[alternatives?]

Looks like to me that pastor John MacArthur is correcting and rebuking some of the female members of the flock like he is called to do. Give him his due. It is much easier to correct and rebuke male members of the church in today’s society.

[Linda Frances]

The only woman minister was 20 years ago at a Methodist church. She was a lesbian too. My mother in law went there because her best friend went there....had to go there for weddings...

Beth Moore is a great teacher for women’s bible study.

[bramps]

I agree that women should not be church leaders but I’m also baffled that such a monotone bore like John MacArthur has anyone other than immediate family members at one of his service’s. The Bible is fascinating but he is flat out brutally difficult to listen to when talking about it. Has he ever cracked a smile or a joke? If you were trying to introduce someone to Christ, MacArthur would literally be the last person I’d suggest listening to.

[kosciusko51]

I never found him that way, but to each his own.

[Migraine]

MacArthur is pure. He never needs to apologize to anyone for anything. He is also very humble and gentle, as he exudes the fruits of the Spirit.

[noiseman]

“John Mac has always been a blunt jerk.”

If your handle is referring to Bethel Church, then I see why you are so sensitive about someone who bluntly speaks scriptural truth. That place is a snake pit of confusion and outright heresy.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: I’m also baffled that such a monotone bore like John MacArthur has anyone other than immediate family members at one of his service’s

Well, you should even be more baffled that such a “monotone bore” would start a successful seminary ( The Master’s Seminary ) with 600 students enrolled this term.

This “monotone bore” pastors, Grace Community Church, which has a weekly attendance of over 8,000 people. Maybe they love to sleep in church :)

[MarDav]

Is the reason for coming to the “meeting” to get entertained or to get the Word of truth? Jesus wasn’t exactly big on delivering jokes during His preaching, either.

I actually find him to be quite engaging and challenging on a spiritual level and what is more important than that when listening to bible teaching.

[Gamecock]

Technically, Beth Moore isn’t a church leader. She’s more of an evangelist.

It appears no a very good one.

Beth Moore sparks debate after saying spending time reading Bible is not spending time with God

A Prophet for an Un-discerning Church [Beth Moore]

[bramps]

Is the reason for coming to the “meeting” to get entertained or to get the Word of truth?

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Virtually every Pastor I’ve ever heard other than MacArthur combines both which makes the learning much more effective. I was probably over the top with my analysis and realize MacArthur has a large following but I also can't help thinking of first time non Christian listeners stumbling onto one of his radio broadcasts and turning further away rather than being drawn to it because of how hard he is to listen to.

[Deo et patriae]

Good for you John!
To any one that calls themselves a Christian;
If there is one line in the Bible that you do not accept as the word of God, then you might as well throw the whole thing out. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?? We can not accept part of it but not other parts of it. It is either ALL or NOTHING. If you find one thing that you (think) is wrong then you must assume there is more that is wrong. God says women are not to be teachers of men. PERIOD!

[Craftmore]

Jesus entertained by teaching with parables,,,

[wbarmy]

But that is not what He ordained in terms of who can be a pastor.

Totally agree and I wish some of those "strong women" would do what the Bible says to do. The older women should teach the younger women.

There is a massive ministry just going begging where senior women teach the younger women how to be; good wives, good daughters, good citizens, good followers of Jesus.

But no, we need to make everybody listen to what we have to say no matter what the Bible says. And we want to be called Pastor, Apostle, or what ever the code word for specially anointed is this day and age.

I'm going back to Africa and preach God's Word.