Women Pastors part 2

Sheep4Christ said:

Do you think He's ever given them leadership positions at all?

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Yes. Not as pastors though.

There are many objections to this view of women in pastoral ministry. A common one is that Paul restricts women from teaching because in the first century, women were typically uneducated. However, 1 Timothy 2:11–14 nowhere mentions educational status. If education were a qualification for ministry, then the majority of Jesus’ disciples would not have been qualified. A second common objection is that Paul only restricted the women of Ephesus from teaching men (1 Timothy was written to Timothy, the pastor of the church in Ephesus). Ephesus was known for its temple to Artemis, and women were the authorities in that branch of paganism—therefore, the theory goes, Paul was only reacting against the female-led customs of the Ephesian idolaters, and the church needed to be different. However, the book of 1 Timothy nowhere mentions Artemis, nor does Paul mention the standard practice of Artemis worshipers as a reason for the restrictions in 1 Timothy 2:11–12.

A third objection is that Paul is only referring to husbands and wives, not men and women in general. The Greek words for “woman” and “man” in 1 Timothy 2 could refer to husbands and wives; however, the basic meaning of the words is broader than that. Further, the same Greek words are used in verses 8–10. Are only husbands to lift up holy hands in prayer without anger and disputing (verse 8)? Are only wives to dress modestly, have good deeds, and worship God (verses 9–10)? Of course not. Verses 8–10 clearly refer to all men and women, not just husbands and wives. There is nothing in the context that would indicate a narrowing to husbands and wives in verses 11–14.

God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This is not because men are necessarily better teachers or because women are inferior or less intelligent (which is not the case). It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Men are to set the example in spiritual leadership—in their lives and through their words. Women are to take a less authoritative role. Women are encouraged to teach other women (Titus 2:3–5). The Bible also does not restrict women from teaching children. The only activity women are restricted from is teaching or having spiritual authority over men. This precludes women from serving as pastors to men. This does not make women less important, by any means, but rather gives them a ministry focus more in agreement with God’s plan and His gifting of them.

Women pastors / preachers? Can a woman be a pastor or preacher?


Male leadership does not belittle women. Jesus was given his authority by God the Father (Matt. 28:18). He was sent by God (John 6:38). He said the Father was greater than He (John 14:28). Did this belittle Jesus? Of course not. Women are of great value in the church and need to be used more and more according to the gifts given them. But it must be according to scripture.

Does the wife's submission to the husband mean that she is less than the husband, less important, or belittled? Again, not at all. Not having a place of leadership in the church does not mean a woman is less of a person, less important to God, or inferior. All are equal before God whether it be Jew, Gentile, free, slave, male, or female. But in the church, God has set up an order the same way he set one up in the family. It is not an issue of being belittled. It is an issue of being faithful to God's word and those who are not, belittled the word of God.

There are women pastors in the world who love their congregations and have said that they are called by God to be pastors. Of course, I cannot agree with this considering the previous analysis of the biblical position. God would not act in a manner to contradict his word. Instead, they have usurped the position of men and gone against scriptural revelation. Additionally, those who state that they are called by God because of the great job they are doing and the gifting they have received, are basing their theology upon experience and not scripture. This is, unfortunately, a common occurrence in the Christian church today where experience, desires, and wants are often placed above Scripture.

Should Women be Pastors and Elders? | CARM Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry

So, what exactly does this mean practically? What are women restricted from doing? The clear implication is that women are not to serve in any role which involves the authoritative spiritual teaching of men. By this definition, the role of teaching pastor/shepherd is reserved for men. This is confirmed in the two passages which deal specifically with the qualifications for church leadership (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9). Church leaders are described as the "husband of one wife," "a man whose children believe," and "men worthy of respect."

Rather than focusing on what ministries women are restricted from, the focus should be on the multitude of ways God calls and gifts women to serve. Women are nowhere restricted from proclaiming the gospel to the lost (Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15). Women are encouraged to teach other women (Titus 2:3-5). Women are nowhere restricted from teaching children. Women seem to excel, far beyond men, in some of the spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 5:22-23). Women being restricted from spiritual teaching authority over men is not a punishment. Rather, it is a refocusing to the ministries, skills, and gifts God with which blesses women.

Women pastors - what does the Bible say?

Sheep4Christ said:

If women Pastors are only allowed to teach other women and children should they ask grown men to leave ? Why do men follow women Pastors anyway? Should the men be blamed for allowing a woman to teach them scripture and usurp male authority as church leaders? If this thread doesn't go in this forum could the mods please move it?

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Telling people about Christ is different than teaching those in a church. This is specific to the church.

We all share the Gospel.

NothingIsImpossible said:

I've never really been against women pastors. My wifes mother is one. I see no reason why God can't lead a woman to be one. The Word is the Word no matter your sex.

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Just because you think it is ok does not mean that is what God wants or tells us. If we do not do as God commands. We are followers of men, not God.

It is not us who are Holy. God is

Sheep4Christ said:

If women Pastors are only allowed to teach other women and children should they ask grown men to leave ? Why do men follow women Pastors anyway? Should the men be blamed for allowing a woman to teach them scripture and usurp male authority as church leaders? If this thread doesn't go in this forum could the mods please move it?

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How many of the twelve disciples/apostles were women? Just curious

Sheep4Christ said:

Matthew 10:1-5 all 12 were men. Luke 6:13 says that of His disciples He chose 12 men.And He also sent out 70 others and scripture doesn't specify their gender.(Luke 10:1) Seems to me that Jesus was more concerned with spreading the gospel and He said pray that more workers could be provided to do the work.(Luke 10:2) once again without specifying gender. Though they could have all been men.

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Workers of spreading the gospel and shepherds are not the same.

Sheep4Christ said:

What I meant by her "own church" is the building that the woman pastor owns or is leasing

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I doubt a Minister, male or female, would earn enough to be able to buy the building in which the church met - unless maybe it was a caravan and they had savings from other work.
In my experience, it is the church commissioners who own the properties. In my denomination, if a church building was closed and sold, the money would go to a central property fund - not to the Minister, or shared out among the congregation.

It is also the church/Diocese/Circuit who appoint the Ministers to those appointments. If someone was sole Minister of a church and that church closed, they'd be redeployed in the circuit/parish or maybe moved on altogether.

CGL1023 said:

I have a pastor who is also a woman. I have never experienced such in-depth teaching in any of my prior interactions with any pastor or church.
She uses Gal 3:28 to defend her position as teacher and pastor. A few posts earlier this verse was brought up as not applicable but zero evidence supplied.
I would like to know the complete answer. I sometimes wonder if this is a translation difficulty or something cultural not now in practice or fully understood.

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Galatians 3:28 to defend women elders? That text has nothing to do with the subject. Read the chapter. It's, like much of the epistles, is dealing with salvation and Gentiles. The Jews thought that were God's elect through birth rite. Paul argues against that idea. That's the context.

There are texts which clearly and unmistakably spell out the criteria for elders, such as 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and Titus 1:6-9, for instance. It's not surprising that someone who wants to do want to do, regardless of what scripture says, ignore the texts which deal with the subject directly in favor of vague texts which have nothing to do the matter.

Strong in Him said:

I doubt a Minister, male or female, would earn enough to be able to buy the building in which the church met - unless maybe it was a caravan and they had savings from other work.
In my experience, it is the church commissioners who own the properties. In my denomination, if a church building was closed and sold, the money would go to a central property fund - not to the Minister, or shared out among the congregation.

It is also the church/Diocese/Circuit who appoint the Ministers to those appointments. If someone was sole Minister of a church and that church closed, they'd be redeployed in the circuit/parish or maybe moved on altogether.

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There are many "pastors" who think they own the building....they raise building funds and divert money into their own accounts..Until you look at the books you really do not know. Not saying this is in all churches, but more than you know.

You may think the funds would go to a central fund, but reality and what you think are often not the same.

I for one know of a pastor who took over a church and sold off the building, took the money, retired...turns out that was his plan all along.

Sheep4Christ said:

I understand the distinction.
Pastor =literally a helper, or feeder of the sheep. Figuratively=minister (appointed) over a congregation. Paul (appointed) men as heads of church possibly under the direction of the HolySpirit.He didn't allow women to teach (the Torah) to men.His reason was because Adam was formed first and he wasn't deceived.Interesting that in this scripture Paul didn't include the fact that Adam wilfully disobeyed God. It sounds like he's saying women can't be trusted to teach sound doctrine to men.Like she'll try to sneak some heresy into the lesson.

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Pastor is not "helper". Minister definition you gave is not accurate as well.

Ephesians 4

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Note verse 12, it is the saints (that is us believers) who carries out the work of the ministry....the whole notion of priest/laity pastor/laity is the sense of these are exclusive ministers is what the system tells you. My bible tells me it is all believers who are called to minister....



I can think of another woman "leader" who is mentioned throughout the entire bible...Jezebel.

I say YES to woman pastors if I hadn't read the bible.