Denominational differences can be trite in this calloused age, but there are certain doctrinal choices of different believers that have a significant impact on evangelism and missions. For example, to the hyper-Calvinist, evangelism is a useless pursuit, regardless of the commands of Christ. (Matthew 28:18-20)
But if there is one denominational issue I have, it’s women in leadership. I believe that Paul’s writing in 1 Timothy 2:12 is literal, for men were designed to lead and protect the weaker vessel. This is not to degrade women, but recognize God’s design and order in creation, just as Paul appeals to the Genesis account in 1 Timothy 2:13. Man’s sin of omission is not a license for women’s sin of commission, rather, men in the laity should be trained, as were Apollos, Timothy, and Titus. Marriage is a beautiful parallel to the relationship between the church and Christ, and it would be a grievous sin to see the church exercising authority over Christ.
I understand the lack of male leadership in the church in Japan, but this comes out of necessity. I have no objection to women leading women (like Reiko‘s home church in Osaka), this is healthy and Biblical (Titus 2:3-4). But in the States, women have taken to the pastorate as a point of pride and social change, not out of a vacancy of able-minded Christian men, or so it is portrayed in the media.
