I can hardly fathom that still in 2016 this question remains unanswered for many Americans.

Still, on Thursday, Nov. 10, I arrived at the Middletown United Methodist Church to be told our bulletin board had been plastered with misogynist literature calling on men to silence women; this was in the form of multiple pamphlets with the heading, “Should Women Preach?”

Ironically the pamphlet ended with what some call the “Sinner’s Prayer” which included the profession of faith that Christ was “raised from the grave on the third day” something witnessed and preached ONLY by women in the beginning.

Thank you Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Salome, Joanna and the other women for sharing the Message. Peter would join the chorus publicly for the first time in another 50 days and Paul not for over a year (when he ceased to have murder in his heart for Christians).

Since most literature against women in the church quotes Paul out of context, let’s begin there.

When Paul wrote to the leaders of the Roman church he included 24 women in the list, naming very FIRST the deaconess Phoebe (see Romans 16:1) and second Priscilla who the Bible repeatedly records took part in teaching ministry with her husband Aquila and who corrected the flawed preaching of Apollo who was described as being “well-versed in Scripture” (see Acts 19) but didn’t understand the new way in Jesus.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he said, “I do not allow a woman to teach.” (1 Timothy 2:11-15) Note that he says “I.” This is not a word from the Lord, but Paul’s preference or custom.

In 1 Corinthians 11:5 he has already acknowledged women who prophecy in the church but that he wants them to do it with their heads covered as “nature intended.”

I think we can safely say that we understand head coverings are a cultural thing, not an eternal religious mandate; certainly Jesus never told a woman she had to cover her head. By verse 16 Paul notes that these are customs saying, “if any is disposed to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.”

Paul was, as he described himself, a Pharisee. He was concerned with the old rules even as he was called into the new way in Christ.

It is understandable that we see his wrestling and that his writings on women in the church were not always consistent. He was himself being renewed in his mind and transformed by the Spirit (Romans 12:4).

I for one am thankful scripture records this process of transformation. Contrary to what is commonly called “flip-flopping” in politics, in the church we call it repenting, confessing when we are wrong and doing it a new way.

The disciples who followed Jesus during his public ministry were also transformed in their understanding of the role of women, but they had more time with Jesus than Paul.

The Gospel of John chapter 4 tells a story of the disciples astonished at the religious conversation Jesus was having with a woman, but John 4:29 says that “many Samaritans believed in Him because of her testimony.”

It goes on to say that they eventually believed on their own, not just because of her. That is what all good preaching does, it invites the listener to come and see what God has done with the hope that having taken up the invitation to come and see, they will SEE.

Acts 21:19 tells us that Phillip, one of the 12, had four daughters with the gift of prophecy. As a Jew and new follower of Jesus Phillip was shocked to see Jesus having a religious conversation with a woman. As a father who had followed Jesus and learned His way, his daughters become prophets of the Lord!

It was a time of radical change for the early church but this change was not unexpected. As Peter proclaimed in Acts chapter 2 it is what was spoken through the prophet Joel for all flesh, sons and daughters, men and women to be empowered by the Spirit.

It may be that the roles of men and women were subverted in the Fall, but in Christ they are restored and we each, men and women, are invited to go and tell, like the women at the tomb, who were first to preach the gospel “Christ is risen.”

Rev. Shannon Kimbell-Auth is the Pastor at Middletown and Clearlake Community United Methodist Churches in Lake County, Calif. All are welcome in these houses of worship, men and women, old and young. Their mission is to make disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world. Let's be the change together, for change is surely needed.