*Says Tinubu reforms sound, necessary for long-term stability

*Paul’s biblical charge on women not intended as ban on female pastors

*Explains rationale behind skills acquisition initiative

There is a controversy about the church provoked by the founding of many churches by women in spite of Apostle Paul’s charge in 1 Corinthians 14:34 that women should “keep silence in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law”.

Today, women are not only speaking in the churches, but their voices seem to be getting as loud as the men’s, if not louder. They are not only mounting the pulpits as pastors and evangelists, but also founding their own congregations and presiding over them not just as pastors and evangelists but also as Bishops and Archbishops, prompting questions about whether this biblical injunction is being obeyed by the womenfolk.

Pastor Oseunfunmi Babs, founder of Wonderful Achievers Outreach (WAO), however, believes that Apostle Paul’s charge in the said Bible verse was not intended to preclude women from the task of evangelism, but rather an occasion-specific order in Corinth to ensure orderliness because of the distraction caused by some women on the occasion.

If Apostle Paul was liberal enough to allow women to prophesy in church, she said, he cannot be so discriminatory against women to say they cannot speak.

Hear her: “If (Apostle) Paul would allow women to prophesy in the church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 11:5), then why would he prohibit women from preaching sermons? Paul’s instructions addressed specific problems in First-Century churches.

“The overall message of the New Testament affirms women in ministry. Paul was actually addressing a specific disorder in Corinth, such as women disrupting services with questions, rather than an absolute ban, especially since Paul permitted women to pray and prophesy (a form of speaking) in 1 Corinthians 11:5.

“Paul himself worked with female leaders, including Phoebe (a deacon), Priscilla (a teacher) and Junia (noted among the apostles). Deborah was a prophetess and judge who led Israel after Ehud died (Judges 4:1, 4). It is argued that if God made Deborah a judge and leader over Israel, certainly women can be pastors.

“Our Lord had several women who followed and assisted Him. Then, after the resurrection, it was the women who first announced that Jesus was alive (Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:18). It was women who “preached” the resurrection. Therefore, it is argued, women can preach in the church.

“Galatians 3:28 says: “There is neither… male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” which is often cited as the foundational principle for equal opportunity in ministry.”

Asked the motivation behind the founding of WAO, the female evangelist described herself as “a born servant of God and inborn minister of the word of God. When it was time, it was clearer, and it manifested.

“My birth was prophesied; a miracle; a wonder… So, a wonder was born to achieve and help others achieve while activating the wish of God, which is to proclaim the Gospel.”

An integral part of his ministry is a skill acquisition initiative known as the WAO Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Programme, which she said is her own way of spreading the blessings she has received from God. “When you are helped by God, you need to help others,” she said.

“Helping them basically means helping them to be able to help themselves. Acquiring skills and empowerment will help them to feed themselves and their families, and also become responsible citizens. The chain of help will continue, thereby eradicating poverty at the grassroots.”

Babs reckons that the skills acquisition and empowerment programme has made a significant impact by transforming beneficiaries into self-reliant, income-earning individuals rather than mere job seekers.

“Participants have successfully started their own businesses, such as make-up artistry, catering, barbing, tailoring, hairdressing, flour and pepper grinder, shoe making, trading and digital marketing.

“Beneficiaries now see laudable changes in their standard of living, enabling them to cater for themselves. These programmes have helped reduce crime, prostitution and participation in social vices.

“Participants have also shifted from looking for white-collar jobs to becoming employers of labour.”

A matter of public concern is that the crime rate in the country appears to be growing at a rate proportionate to the proliferation of churches, leaving one to wonder why souls ordinarily expected to be won are becoming hardened. To this, Pastor Babs said there is a need to make a distinction between true Christians and ordinary churchgoers.

She said: “Many religious observers are church goers rather than practising Christians, leading to a situation where people attend church while still participating in or enabling corruption, robbery and kidnapping.

“Some churches are seen as being established for financial gains rather than spiritual guidance, with ‘false prophets’ preaching prosperity without accountability, which fails to transform moral character.

“High rates of unemployment and poverty are also driving criminal activities. In some cases, survival instincts supersede moral teachings.

“Many people are raised with Christian terminology but do not live by its core tenets (love, honesty, mercy), leading to a ‘veneer’ of Christianity that coexists with social defects.”

She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the economic reforms embarked upon by his administration, saying the President deserves credit for implementing “long overdue economic and structural reforms.

“This is known as a market correction. The removal of fuel subsidy and deregulation of the foreign exchange market were courageous decisions that previous administrations avoided due to political costs. These reforms are economically sound and necessary for long-term stability,” she said.

The female clergy urged the youth to be productive by finding something to do.

“If, as a youth, you are learned, or you are a graduate and still roaming the streets, please, you just need to learn any skill of your choice or any trade.

“You can become an entrepreneur instead of waiting on the government. There is dignity in labour.

“The youth must understand the reality that it is presently an overcrowded country and must take their lives in their hands instead of waiting on the government for jobs,” she counselled.

Born in Oshodi, Lagos, Pastor Oseunfunmi Babs attended CBN Primary School, Satellite, Lagos, from where she proceeded to Baptist Girls’ College, Idi Aba. Abeokuta, Ogun State.

She is a holder of an MBA in Human Resources from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. She is currently a student of Royal Evangelical Bible College with an affiliation in California, USA.