Anointed & Appointed

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe,

a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.

I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people

and to give her any help she may need from you,

for she has been the benefactor of many people,

including me.”

Romans 16:1-2

I witnessed a beautiful example of the Holy Spirit working through the pastor and anointing a woman for the work of evangelism.

The head pastor of my church is a man, as are all the elders.  The pastor’s wife is only woman who has preached a sermon.  She’s also a seminary Dean.  Other female leaders only minister to women.

The evening service at our church is designated as an evangelistic service that always includes the testimony of 3 people.  Carla was one woman who gave her testimony.  When Pastor came to the lectern, instead of preaching, he said the Holy Spirit told him to ask Carla if she had a message to deliver – and she did.  So Pastor ceded the stage  and allowed her to deliver the message.

Carla’s sermon was based on Acts 3.  She said that the Christian’s job is to bring other people into the kingdom.  We’re in the business of reaching out to people who are outside the gates of the temple, strengthening them through the power of the Holy Spirit, and bringing them in.  Carla delivered a spirit-filled, bible-based, easily understood, energetic sermon.  When the altar call was issued, people responded as though she were the Pastor.

Pastor said he felt the hand of God leave him, and he knew better than to preach when he didn’t have God’s anointing on the sermon.  He also testified to the power of the Holy Spirit saying, “How could I have known that she had a message to preach if the Spirit didn’t tell me?”  He brought Carla back to pray for her and her ministry.  He believes she has the gift of evangelism and he encouraged her to use that gift, saying “it’s not man who appoints people, it’s the Holy Spirit”.

I was excited to see how the worship service unfolded.  Carla had never preached before.  Not only was she a woman, but a layperson, presumably untrained.  It impressed me to see a man, the lead pastor, trust the Holy Spirit & quickly obey, especially on such short notice.  People debate whether or not women should be allowed in the ministry.  That service helped me refocus on the basics.  It’s not man who appoints people, it’s the Holy Spirit.

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.

They risked their lives for me.

Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.”

Romans 16:3-4