A reader put forth the question, “Should women be part of the church business meeting in a congregation without elders?” Presumably, the inquiry means to ask if Christian women should have an equal part with Christian men in making decisions in congregations that do not have elders.
It seems implicit that the one asking the question would acknowledge that in congregations where elders serve that only men – the elders who are all men, per Scripture (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11) – ought to make the decisions for those congregations. That is an indirect concession that God has designated male leadership in the church (1 Timothy 2:8-14; 1 Corinthians 14:34-35) – as He has done likewise in the home (Genesis 3:16; Ephesians 5:24). God has decreed male leadership religiously and domestically (1 Corinthians 11:3, 8-9).
Can a local church exist and function without elders? Yes, it can, and even first century congregations did so for a while before biblically qualified men were appointed to the roles of elders (Acts 14:23). Nevertheless, something important is lacking in every congregation wherein elders have not been appointed (Titus 1:5). Until such time as elders are appointed, it still remains the responsibility of male leadership to make congregational decisions.
May women be present when men in a congregation without elders make the actual decisions? In my opinion, it is no more wise to permit such than is it prudent to have men who are not elders or women present in elders’ meetings when they are making decisions. It is too easy for attendees to presume, maybe even unintentionally, that their presence implies that they, too, have a role in the decision making. Especially if emotions run high, attendees may intervene impulsively.
On the other hand, men and women may well attend congregational meetings where decisions are not being made. Elders or men in congregations without elders may choose to have a congregational meeting to gather information or to inform everyone respecting decisions that have already been made. Such gatherings neither conflict with elders nor contradict male leadership responsibilities.
The place for women to have an impact on the decisions made for a congregation are in opportunities to converse with their husbands if married (1 Corinthians 14:35; 1 Peter 3:1) or with the elders who serve all of the congregation. In the absence of elders, women may approach one or more of the men privately respecting their perspectives about upcoming decisions that must be made. Wise elderships or male Christians where there are no elders will avail themselves of congregational input from both men and women.
