Pennymoor church, Tiverton

05/04/2026

A helpful article from Dr Andrew Bauman -

‘Theology that silences the voice of women is not biblical; it is trauma masquerading as biblical truth. True Christianity dignifies, heals, and calls forth the full embodiment of women in every sphere.

New Testament Evidence for Women’s Full Inclusion in Ministry:

• Romans 16:1 – Paul honors Phoebe as a minister (diakonon)—a title Paul uses for himself and others in leadership. He doesn’t minimize her; he uplifts her.

• Romans 16:3 – Priscilla is named before her husband five of seven times. Paul saw her not as an appendage, but a co-laborer. Women were at the table, not just in the kitchen.

• Romans 16:7 – Junia is called “outstanding among the apostles.” Paul does not erase her. He celebrates her.

• 1 Corinthians 11:5 – Women are described as praying and prophesying in public worship. No rebuke, no shame—only inclusion.

• Galatians 3:28 – In Christ, hierarchy dies. There is no longer “male or female”—only oneness. Gender-based hierarchy is not God’s design; it is the wound of Genesis 3:16, which Christ came to heal.

• Ephesians 5:21-33 – Paul calls both husbands and wives to mutual submission. Christ does not dominate the Church; He dies for her.

• Philippians 4:3 – Euodia and Syntyche are named by Paul as co-workers, struggling alongside him in the gospel. Not subordinates. Equals.

• 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 & 1 Timothy 2:11-12 – These verses are often weaponized. But context matters. Paul was addressing specific dysfunction in specific churches. He never intended to build a theology of silence on isolated verses.

• 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4 – “One-woman man” is about marital fidelity, not gender exclusivity. Male leadership is assumed—not commanded. Character, not gender, is Paul’s concern.

Old Testament and Gospel Witnesses to Women in Spiritual Leadership:

• Genesis 1:26-27 – Both male and female are made in God’s image and entrusted with dominion—not domination.

• Genesis 2:18 – Ezer Kenegdo is the woman’s title. It means “powerful ally,” a word often used for God. She is not a subordinate; she is a rescuer.

• Genesis 2:23 – Adam recognizes the woman as his equal, not his property.

• Genesis 3:16 – The hierarchy introduced after the Fall is not God’s design—it is the result of sin. Jesus came to reverse the curse, not baptize it.

• Exodus 15:20 – Miriam, a prophetess, leads Israel in song and prophecy.

• Judges 4-5 – Deborah governs as a judge and prophet. Men sought her counsel. God ordained her authority.

• 2 Kings 22-23 – Huldah speaks God’s word to kings. Her voice carries the weight of divine instruction.

• Joel 2:28 / Acts 2:17 – Sons and daughters will prophesy. Pentecost is not a boys’ club.

• Matthew 28:19-20 – Jesus commands all to baptize and teach. No footnotes. No exclusions.

• Mark 16:15 – Preach. The. Gospel. Everyone. Everywhere.

• Luke 24:10 – Women were the first to proclaim the resurrection. The first preachers of the Gospel were women.

• John 4:39 – The Samaritan woman becomes the first evangelist to her city. Jesus not only saw her—He sent her.

• Acts 1:14 – Women were in the Upper Room. Women received the Spirit. Women led.

If the Church does not affirm and empower the full voice of women, it is not Christ it follows—but cultural patriarchy.
The work of Christ is always the work of restoration, and restoration always includes the restoration of the feminine voice. Anything less is not the Gospel’



Such a helpful list. Thanks for your tireless effort.

04/04/2026

The winner of the Teddy bear, yesterday, asked for it to be embroidered with E.

03/04/2026

Wonderful fun and food for our Good Friday supper & Games today. Terry Green got the highest score in Sjoelen and won an Easter egg. June Maryan got the best score in the ladies and won a Teddy bear.

19/03/2026

16/03/2026

Times are hard so don't throw stuff away unnecessarily.

05/01/2026

Sign up and help to raise money without doing anything besides normal shopping and services.
https://join.easyfundraising.org.uk/pennymoor-congregational-church/7l81pv/c2s/HysSEVIH/CE945/facebook/

27/12/2025

I quote Dominic Leo Muir.
We often hear the phrase, “diversity is our strength.” It sounds good. It sounds generous. But it is deception dressed as virtue. Diversity, by itself, is not strength. In many cases, it is not only neutral. It is a weakness. Strength does not come from difference. Strength comes from unity. Here’s why:

1. Shared purpose outperforms mixed values

A team with highly diverse values, beliefs, or priorities can struggle to move in the same direction.

Example:
A charity board made up of people with fundamentally different views on its mission will spend more time negotiating internal disagreements than serving the people it exists to help.

Strength comes from agreement on purpose, not from difference for its own sake.

2. Diversity without cohesion slows decision making

When people approach problems from radically different frameworks, consensus becomes harder.

Example:
In crisis situations like emergency response or military units, uniform training, culture, and expectations are essential. Too much internal variation can delay decisions where speed and clarity matter.

Unity enables decisive action. Fragmentation weakens it.

3. Trust is harder to build in fragmented groups

Trust grows fastest where people share assumptions, norms, and expectations.

Example:
High trust societies tend to be culturally cohesive. When trust is low, organisations must rely on bureaucracy, rules, and enforcement rather than cooperation.

Strength comes from trust. Trust grows more easily in unity than in fragmentation.

4. Diversity can increase conflict, not reduce it

Difference does not automatically lead to wisdom. It often leads to misunderstanding and friction.

Example:
Workplaces that emphasise identity differences over shared identity often see increased tension, grievance culture, and tribalism.

A shared identity reduces internal conflict. Emphasised difference can intensify it.

5. Excellence requires standards, not representation

When diversity becomes a goal in itself, it can compete with merit, competence, or shared standards.

Example:
Teams chosen to reflect a demographic mix rather than skill alignment may underperform compared to teams selected for excellence and unity of vision.

Strength flows from capability and alignment, not optics.

6. Diversity does not guarantee innovation

Innovation requires disciplined thinking, shared language, and deep collaboration.

Example:
The most innovative teams often share a strong common culture that allows them to challenge ideas without challenging belonging.

Unity enables healthy disagreement. Diversity alone does not.

7. History shows unity, not diversity, builds movements

Successful movements have always been united around a clear story, values, and direction.

Example:
Civil rights movements, faith communities, and nation building efforts succeeded when people rallied around shared convictions, not when they prioritised internal difference.

Unity creates momentum. Division dissipates it.

8. Diversity can weaken moral clarity (this is the most important reason)

When every perspective, world view, or religion is treated as equally valid, it becomes difficult to hold firm convictions.

I do not respect every religion or world view. Some are evil. I can respect and love people whilst rejecting their belief system - indeed as a Christian I must do both, regularly, whether it pleases people or not.

Example:
Organisations that try to accommodate every worldview often lose the ability to say what they actually stand for.

Strength requires conviction. Conviction requires unity. GK Chesterton said that “tolerance is the virtue of the man without conviction.” The same goes for the enshrinement of “diversity”. It has become the mantra and altar of the spirit which wants to see a nation divided, conquered, destroyed.

In summary, diversity can be valuable only when it serves unity, not when it replaces it.

Unity is strength because it produces:
- Shared purpose
- Trust
- Speed of action
- Moral clarity
- Collective identity
- Shared religious conviction

Diversity without unity is not strength. It is fragmentation and can end in destruction.

14/12/2025

Carol service in Pennymoor this afternoon.

01/12/2025

Use Easy fundraising for your normal shopping and raise money for free.

09/10/2025

Harvest Thanksgiving service this Sunday 4.00pm with refreshments after. Cans and dry goods welcome for the Foodbank.