In today's society, the controversial subject of what positions in the Church a woman can hold; has become incredibly controversial within the nation. Some people believe that women have equal rights to men and can hold any position that a man can hold. Today's society also believes that because a woman can hold political and business power, she can also exercise authority in the Church. However, this could not be further from the truth: the position of women in the Church is defined by God. First, a woman's position in the Church as a teacher is subject to many standards set by God. The Lord sets certain standards for who a woman should teach in the Church. Gilbert Bilezikian, in his book Beyond Sex Roles, states: “According to the epistle, women were appointed to teach, provided they were duly qualified. » But who can they teach? The Bible says, “But I do not permit a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over a man, but to keep silent.” » (I Timothy 2:12) The first standard established by God is that women cannot teach above men, because this violates the order of authority that God established. Samuel Bacchoicchi states in Women in the Church: “Teaching is by nature an exercise of authority and would violate the principle of submission of women to men. » God designed men to have the authority to teach and lead women in the way of the righteous. The second standard set by God is that women can be teachers to the children of the Church. Mary Hayter, author of the book The New Eve in Christ, says: The Church, as a Christian community, should demonstrate masculinity in authority and femininity in love and service, and these phenomena must be considered as existing in the father and the minister, as symbolizing a pole of the personality continues...... middle of paper ......to be the leaders. God is very pleased when his people follow him. Although women should not have primary authority over the Church, women can indeed be a great help in growing the Church and reaching others with the word of the Lord. Robbins quotes this statement from Charles Hodge: “The desire for knowledge in women should not be repressed, nor should the facilities necessary for its acquisition be denied to them. » Works cited Bacchoicchi, Samuel. Women in the Church. Michigan: Biblical Perspectives, 1987. The Bible (Authorized Version). Bilezikian, Gilbert. Beyond gender roles. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985.Hayter, Mary. The New Eve in Christ. Michigan: Eerdmans Publishing, 1987. Nicholas, David. What should a woman do in the Church? Arizona: Good Life Productions Inc, 1979. Robbins, John. Distortion of Scripture in seminaries. Jefferson: The Trinity Foundation, 1985