1. This is a Biblical Interpretation Issue, not a Biblical Authority issue. People have been debating this issue for years; and there are great churches on both sides.

2. Although this is not an 'eternity issue', it is a 'unity issue' for us here at Discover Church.

3. Discover Church Leadership has prayed, studied, and discerned the interpretation we hold onto.

4. Doctrine cannot be formed by 1 or 2 verses alone, it must include the Whole of Scripture & ask, "What does God intend based on the entirety of Scripture?"

5. We believe, from the book of Genesis on, God created male & female with total equality of value and worth and equal access to all the Spiritual Gifts and access to the 5-fold ministry gifts Jesus gave to the church. Nowhere in Scripture does it state or even infer that these gifts were for men only.

6. God called & anointed woman as prophets & leaders in the Old & New Testaments:

a. Deborah was a leader & prophet - Judges 4:4

b. Miriam. (with Moses) - Micah 6:4

c. Isaiah's wife was a prophet - Isaiah 8:3

d. Anna -Prophesied over Jesus when He was 8 years old - Luke 2:36-38

e. Priscilla - Acts 18:2-3

f. Phoebe - Romans 16:1-2

g. Lydia - Opened the door to the Gospel going into all of Europe & ultimately America - Acts 16

And Many More.

7. The 2 "problem texts" are: 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 & 1 Timothy 2:8-15

• we believe Paul was speaking in both instances to Specific Circumstances, not declaring Absolute Truth. (ex: equal to the 10 commandments) (Situational Instruction vs Absolute Truth)
• if you conclude these passages as Absolute Truth, then they directly contradict, both Paul's writings (1 Corinthians 11:5 & others) and the whole of Scripture on God's empowerment of women.

8. At Discover Church, no one will ever be limited in their Calling & Giftedness because of their gender or race!

9. There is too much at stake in the Great Commission and we believe that 100% of the workforce is needed to fulfill the mission Jesus created us, the local church, to do.