Have you heard of "gender inclusive" churches of Christ? This description intends to identify churches that practice "gender justice" by placing women into leadership roles in public worship as well as church oversight. Women preachers, prayer and song leaders and serving at the Lord's table (and in a few churches, even being appointed as elders) are viewed as actions of equality,  "recognizing that men and women are created by God, redeemed by Christ, and gifted by the Spirit truly without distinction or partiality" (gal328.org).

The inclusion of women into leadership in churches is viewed as "justice" by these folks ("seeking gender equality in churches of Christ", 1voice4change.com). However, these Avant-garde churches of Christ are an insult to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the church.

God established headship for the common good. Those with an alternative agenda reject God's word that "the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God" and refuse its application in the church and elsewhere (1 Cor. 11:3). One might as well plead for "justice" on behalf of man to be given "equality" with Christ! Such wisdom of the world rejects submission to the authority of God.

The word of Christ is clear that men, not women, are not given leadership roles in the churches (read 1 Cor. 14:34-38; 1 Tim. 2:8-15). Expressions like "gender justice" or "gender inclusive" imply that unless you adopt their unscriptural definitions of equality in the church, then you are being unjust to women. Question: Is it an affront to men that they are not wives and mothers? Is it unjust that women are not husbands and fathers? What foolishness! Different roles do not constitute inequality or injustice.

Different roles are complimentary, not antagonistic. Galatians 3:28 ("you are all one in Christ Jesus") speaks to the impartial nature of redemption in Christ (see 3:26-27, 29; Acts 10:34-35). Being "one in Christ" says nothing about our different roles; all of which are from God, honorable and important (1 Cor. 12:14-27). Shall we charge God with injustice? No. The real problem is a failure to believe and submit to the Bible as God's word.

- The Spirit's Sword, 7/28/13