CONFESSION:
Maximizing the gifts of both men and women is essential if we are to fulfill our purpose as a church. The Bible clearly defines the distinctiveness of male and female and their importance in God's plan (Genesis 1:27; 5:2; 6:19). Gender differences are never to become a platform for discrimination and division, but rather are attributes to enhance and complete Christ's body.

The Bible clarifies that both men and women are responsible before God and reveals God's impartial treatment of all individuals regardless of gender. The apostle Paul declares that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for [they] are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). Christ did not abolish our gender differences, but rather the discrimination that historically has resulted from them.

We, the men of the Pentecostal Holiness Church, confess that we have not honored the precedent set forth in God's Word. Often, we have not treated our wives as equal partners in marriage and ministry. We have distorted the doctrine of holiness by focusing on the external appearance of women. We recognize the sin of male domination and acknowledge that we have withheld from women places of honor in the church. We have not affirmed the ministries of qualified women by releasing them to serve in places of leadership. We also have shown inequity regarding their wages.

REPENTANCE:
Forgive us, O Father, of the sin of male domination which has made our spouses feel like unequal partners. We repent of our unbiblical treatment of women with regard to their ministries and wages. We repent of targeting them in our teaching on holiness and of abusing them verbally, both in public and in private.

Create in us a new sensitivity to the God-given gifts of the women of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, that there may be unity and greater power in our worldwide ministry.

RESPONSE (men): Hear our confession, O Lord, and forgive us of the sin of male domination, for we are all one in the body of Christ.

AFFIRMATION: Father, we recognize that You created male and female to enhance and complete Christ's body and that these differences are important in Your plan. We affirm that we are equal partners in the work of Your kingdom and commit ourselves to recognize Your gifts in all members of the body of Christ without regard for gender.

RESPONSE (men and women): Male and female, we are one in the body of Christ.

AFFIRMATION: We acknowledge that You have called women to definite ministries and gifted some for leadership roles in Your Church. We affirm them in their spiritual gifts and callings and will compensate them accordingly.

RESPONSE (men): We are one in the body of Christ.

AFFIRMATION: We honor women as equals, both in public and in private, and reject attitudes that are dishonoring and reflect a gender bias.

RESPONSE (men and women): Father, since Your Word clearly states that in You there is neither male nor female, and since You have forgiven us of the sin of male domination, we declare that we are all one in the body of Christ.

REFERENCE SCRIPTURES: Genesis 1:27; Genesis 5:2; Genesis 6:19; Galatians 3:28 Romans 12:1-5; Romans 12:10; Romans 16:1-2

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