Judges 4.1-5 & Acts 2.14-21  
On Both Men and Women I Will Pour Out My Spirit

This Sunday and next, we depart from the Lectionary in order to address the matter of women in ministry here at Grace Church.  The Session has adopted a new church policy on the role of women in ministry which permits women to do any kind of ministry that any non-ordained man may do. So, while our position reserves for men, authoritative preaching from the pulpit or becoming an elder in either name or function, it permits women to teach adult Sunday School, teach Bible studies, lead small groups, serve as ushers, serve communion, lead ministries or committees, etc., just as any non-ordained man may currently do.  This is based on a careful study of Scripture recently done in our denomination, as well as by our Session.  Today’s message seeks to lay out some of the Biblical contours that lead to this conclusion, paying particular attention to Peter’s quotation from the prophet Joel regarding the outpouring of the Spirit on both men and women in the church.