Determining how scripture applies

Welcome. I have created this Blog in response to a situation at NorthWest Yearly Meeting of Friends in order to have a place to discuss issues current in our fellowship. A discussion has been started in another, personal blog, and I hate to see it preempted for the purpose. If anyone knows a better way to handle the discussion and is willing to set it up, I will certainly bow out. I want to start with a little stage setting question and see what comes of it: Quakers have long held that ministry by women is as valid as that by men, how do you see us as arriving at that conclusion in spite of Paul's very explicit instructions for the women to keep silent in the church? I expect the dialogue to be in the form of comments and will add blog entries as I see the need or at the request of persons involved in the conversation. I may transcribe a blog entry submitted by such persons if I see it as appropriate, and of course such submissions denied can be sent as comments.