Dr. Jim Hamilton wrote this good irenic (peaceable) paper on the issue of women in ministry:
He states in his conclusion:
I have argued that a biblical understanding of full participation in ministry does not mean that one exercises one’s gifts in any and every circumstance. Rather, full participation in ministry means exercising one’s gifts under the Lordship of Christ by the power of the Spirit in accordance with one’s role in the body as assigned by the Father. God has also assigned gender to human beings, and the Bible sets parameters on what one may do in ministry according to gender. These boundaries should be understood not as oppressive constraints but as signposts on the way to the broad place in which to roam (Ps 119:45). The way of happiness is the way of holiness, and the way of obedience is the way of freedom. Thus, whether it seems right to us or not, the Bible promises good to us if we hold firm to its commands. This includes Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:12, 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, and 14:29–35. What can women do in ministry? Many, many things, but they may not teach men or exercise authority over them.
To lessen any confusion, here is the application of the Danvers statement to the life if the Church:
