This question is one that has a simple answer and yet so many try to pervert what the Bible says on the subject.  Many feel that women should be able to preach or take other leadership roles in worship despite what is written in I Timothy 2:11,12, “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.  But I suffer (permit-DFC) not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”  These verses plainly show that the men are responsible for leading in the public assembly.  That includes preaching, leading prayers, or leading singing where women and men are present.
    Some think that these verses from I Timothy make Paul a sexist.  That is hardly the case since this passage was not truly written by Paul, but rather written by the Holy Spirit and recorded through Paul.  Is then God a sexist?  God, whose nature does not change, in His second-member form (Jesus) addressed the woman at the well in John 4.  Big deal?  Actually Jesus was doing to things uncustomary to Jews:  One, He was approaching a Samaritan, and two, He was approaching a woman.  Jesus was elevating the woman in that instant, and it can be shown through history that where the Gospel has gone women have been elevated.
    Why then would God through inspiration forbid a woman to usurp authority over the man?  The answer is seen in verses 13,14, “For Adam was first formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.”  I Corinthians 11:3 expands on the point, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is man; and the head of Christ is God.”  While many may not appreciate or like what God has dictated on the subject they must understand that God knows best (Isaiah 55:8,9).
    Does that mean that a woman cannot contribute at all?  Certainly not!  It has been said, and all of you will recognize this, that behind every good man there is a better woman.  Let it be known that the strength of an individual congregation is often seen in her women.  Faithful women often far outnumber faithful men and their contributions are important, but they cannot violate God’s command to remain silent in the assembly (i.e. to take authority over the man).  Obviously they must not be completely silent for all are commanded to teach and edify one another through singing (Colossians 3:16).  Not only do the women participate in singing but they also are instrumental in teaching other women and teaching children.  Titus 2:3,4 beautifully declares the role of the woman in the church, “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children.”