Pastor's Summit Notes - CBMW

Below are my notes from a meeting I attended last Thursday, where we discussed the complementarianist viewpoint of manhood and womanhood as described in the Bible.
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Pastor’s Summit Notes
April 14, 2005
Crystal Evangelical Free Church

The website for CBMW is www.cbmw.org-- lots of resources for you.

J.S. has the annual calendar for you to see what the events are that are available through the Fidelis Foundation. See the bottom of the agenda for upcoming local CBMW events.

The format of this summit will be discussion with the idea that iron sharpens iron.

What is complementarianism?
• “Evangelical Feminism and Biblical Truth” by Wayne Grudem is available on the website.

See back page of agenda for notes on Authoritarianism, Egalitarianism and Complementarianism. I.W gave an overview of the different views.

Comments on the views:
• If we showed this handout to the outside there would be argument.
• People who hold the different views will think that they are biblical and use differing words to show their view in a positive light.
• Authority of the scripture lies in the hand of God.
• Changing roles of leadership and those being lead creates new dynamics.

Discuss chart by Wayne Grudem as found in the before mentioned book. This chart is shown on the agenda.

Discussion: Assuming you embrace complementarianism, how can it be effectively integrated into a church body? And w hat are you doing currently in churches?

• Pre-marital counseling: One opportunity to teach the truths of complementarianism in a ministry in your church is in pre-marital counseling. There is a need to teach couples about working together as they are designed. Equipping them with the truth of how God has designed them is a wonderful blessing to work through before they are even married.
• It is affirmed that this should be introduced at a watershed point. Many people that come into our evangelical setting hold views that are not complementarian and it opens doors for debate. We can give them this pearl of truth.
• Make this truth for your church known whether it is agreed upon or not. We need the biblical base and confidence to speak that openly and unabashedly.
• People are surprised that the Bible speaks of this issue and that it is against what we are taught in the culture. And that with many it is very thoughtfully accepted.
• The topics are covered at Grace Church in pre-marital courses and with marriage mentors who specifically discuss this topic. R. O’B. does not find this to bring animosity.
• Find that “headship” in the biblical sense is not authoritarian.
• Learning from a negative lesson can have just as much impact as teaching a positive one. As we can learn from the culture and its flaws we can see what the church has to offer in comparison to the negatives of the culture.
• Wayne Grudem’s book is a great resource tool to reach out with this truth to the pre-marital groups, marriage mentorship groups and other ministries.
• Vision casting and implementing this truth on every level is vital; starting with making this truth known among the staff.
• John Piper’s book “What’s the Difference” is a great resource for what a mature biblical man/woman looks like. Available at www.cbmw.org.
• J.D. found great success in this area through the Bill Gaither(?) ministry.
How do you integrate this into leadership at church?
• Affirm what you can, deny what you must and live with the ambiguity in between. (Motto taken by Bethlehem) Make beliefs known and stand by them.
• How does the pastor who feels deeply about this issue, but doesn’t have a big stick within the denomination, make an impact in the church?
• Can you serve in a church/denomination that does not support this belief? Not trying to be a separatist, but can you submit to a church that isn’t in agreement?
• Analogy: Money came from Coors to the FCA unsolicited, what do they do as an agency that does not support alcohol with this money?----- As servants call by God we cannot permit things that are unbiblical.

How do we integrate this in the local church?
• The ministries of CJ Mahaney’s church are based around training everyone involved in all the ministries in the truths of the complementarianism views, as well as teaching it from the pulpit, though this method is not enough.
• It is important to be a living example. As you live your life you can honor God and draw the truths out to impact others with this truth. Impacting through a personal discipleship method. As I impact others they go out and impact others and so one.
• Two fronts for reaching the church: 1) leadership 2) Men and Women ministries. Teaching men and women how to be biblical men and women. Using Robert Lewis’ material at Bob Brueggen’s church. Also, visit www.raisingmoderndayknights.com.
• Marriage ministry is another avenue to get this truthful message out.
• Step back and address the bigger issues. Complementarianism is a secondary issue to the bigger issues of the sovereignty of God and His great creation.
• The modeling method of teaching is irreplaceable.
• Experiencing and showing that submission is a blessing and something not be against.
• The area of missions is very important to address when it comes to this topic.

Next time to come back together is August 11, 2005. The topic is, “How should we do business outside of the local church?”
(notes taken by Missy S. - THANKS!)