The ladies of the church have had the Scripture tossed at them when ever it appears that a female is about to be pushing to the front.   The Scripture is: 1 Corinthians 14:34,35. Paraphrasing—Women are to be seen and not heard in church.
     Acts 16:13-15 gives us another view of the woman's roll in the Church. Lydia was a seller of purple dye at Philippi, a successful businesswoman with a lot of influence. More importantly she was worshipping God where prayers were being said by a river side. When Paul and Silas joined the group of women, he spoke of the Lord to them. Lydia's heart was searching for the truth and receptive to what he said because the Lord had opened her heart.
     Shortly after she had heard Paul's comments about Jesus, she was baptized by Paul and, as Scripture shows, her household was also. This tells me that she went back to her house and taught what she had heard of Paul and Silas. Soon, the entire household was convinced that this was the right way to go. So, when she was baptized the household came along also. There is no telling what made up her household. It could have been the children and other ladies working with her in the dye business, or it might refer to the clients and customers of her purple cloth and dye. Whoever it was, there didn't seem to be much hesitancy on their part. They recognized Lydia's good judgment and her ability to choose the right course and they were willing to follow her lead.
     She was so desirous of knowing more about the truth of Jesus, she sought after Paul and Silas to stay at her house and help her to better understand the gospel coming from Jerusalem into Macedonia. She was a woman of determination and yet capable of generosity and very hospitable.
     Though in her era she apparently represented the (as we say in this era) "new woman," which is the business woman who had succeeded well, She later came to be known as the first convert to the faith in Jesus Christ in Europe.
     What does all this have to do with women being silent in the church? Just this. There is a book in the New Testament called Philippians. Paul wrote a letter to the Philippians in which he addresses them as his "joy and crown" Philippians 4:1. Reading the third verse carefully you will spot a phrase "help these women who labored with me." He is speaking of the little prayer group. Who was the head of that group? Lydia. In Philippians 1:3-5 he said, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all..." This little group, now a full blown church in Philippi, rejoices with the words in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
     Lydia was strong in the Lord and she, together with other women, reached out into the town and brought many into the saving knowledge of Jesus. God never told her to be quiet about Jesus. The Lord opened her heart to be His missionary to all who would listen.

     Heavenly Father, help us to open our hearts and minds to your understanding. Give us clarity of thinking and help us to not search out problems in your word. We still see as through a glass very darkly. We trust you to reveal what is needed as we reach out to others with thy gospel.