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.

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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.”

[Mr Rogers]

BTW - I have had Pentecostals tell me the baptism of the Holy Spirit is something that follows our salvation and is marked by speaking in tongues. Until then, I’ve been told, the Holy Spirit just visits me...but doesn’t “fill” me.

[Migraine]

I refer you back to my post number 68.

[Migraine]

But I didn’t tell you that, nor would I.

[Mr Rogers]

I commented because I had READ your post #68.

“So Mr Rogers, it appears you are saying that Pentacostalism is of the devil. Am I reading you correctly?”

I’m saying some is. If you claim for example, that Benny Hinn, for example, cannot be disagreed with because his ‘miracles’ prove he is a man of God, then you are off the deep end.

Same with Paula White.

When someone works miracles - supposedly - and conflicts with scripture, then they are doing the devil’s work.

Now, are you talking about this:

““We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration, by which believers are made free from original sin or depravity, and are brought into a state of entire devotement to God, unto the holy obedience of love made perfect. It is wrought by the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one experience the cleansing of the heart from sin, the abiding and indwelling experience of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer to life and service.” (Manual of the Church of the Nazarene, 1968, p. 30 – 31).”

Maybe if you define what YOU mean, I can give a better answer.

[dubyagee]

Probably about even on that score. Both lead to a failure to obey, and therefore repercussions in lives of God’s people.

[daniel1212]

MacArthur also knows better; and yet he (as you said) broadbrushes the entire phenomenon of Pentecostalism. This is very dangerous.

He is not doing so as the Pharisees (which was to justify their impenitence and not submitting to the Lord Jesus, nor is he denying Pentecostalism en toto after seeing only manifestly supernatural works of God (indeed, much of what is seen in Pentecostalism ought makes us ashamed);

However, i do think that often the rejection of the perpetuation of "sign gifts" is at least partly driven by a fear of losing control. It is hard to even conceive of a service and parts thereof lasting longer than their allotted time, let alone what 1 Co. 14 sets down as a model.

However, if there was not so much fakery in Pentecostalism esp. "O My children, the time is come to bless you more" prophets) then it would be more attractive to those who reject it due to such.

My stance was that I could not justify doctrinally cessationism even if everything in Pentecostalism was fake, since I found the arguments against perpetuation to be wanting.

[Migraine]

Thanks for your thoughtful response.

[Elsie]

Thank you for your reply

I feel SO slighted...

[Elsie]

Maybe if you define what YOU mean, I can give a better answer.

Good luck.

[Elsie]

His questions are of the, “Did GOD really say...” variety.