Brothers and Sisters

I was very surprised to find that anyone would use the 'headship' metaphor for men and women in church. The sibling metaphor is excellent. I realize now that it might seem awkward to use the terms of brother and sister as a form of address, but it does reinforce an atmosphere of healthy respect.

But I want you to understand that
the head of every man is Christ,
the head of a wife is her husband,
and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV

Do not rebuke an older man
but encourage him as you would a father.
Treat younger men like brothers,
older women like mothers,
younger women like sisters, in all purity. 1 Timothy 5:1 ESV

We should leave the discussion of 'headship' to marriage where it belongs and not make up new and difficult rules for how men and women should relate in the church. Then we can get back to talking about what is really important.

"We should avoid all this other stuff that is a distraction and damaging to people and get down to the real discussion about what is in the Bible." This understanding of 2 Tim. 2:15 was suggested to me today in an email. Thank you very much.