Disclaimer: Once again, I’d like to provide you with a short disclaimer before you read this article as it may be controversial for some.  I am not on a mission to discredit women who are currently serving in pastoral ministry. My only mission is to have a serious discussion about a topic that is relevant to Christians.  With that in mind, please continue reading.

The topic of women serving in pastoral ministry has become an increasingly controversial one, especially for conservative Christians.  For much of Christianity’s history, men have held the office of pastor while women have been forbidden to teach or preach (aside from teaching other women and children).  After the various human rights movements of the 20th century, particularly the women’s rights movement, women’s rights groups have demanded equality across the board.  It is likely because of the (equality) movements that we are seeing an increase in women serving in pastoral ministry.

What Scripture Says on This Topic:

The Apostle Paul briefly touched on this topic in the Pastoral Epistles.  In 1 Timothy, Paul writes: “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” (1 Tim 2:12 ESV).  This passage does seem very clear, and if taken literal, and at face value, women are forbidden to be pastors.  Since churches are filled with men, I do not see how a woman could be a pastor and simultaneously obey the command laid out in 1 Tim 2:12. In the first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul writes: “The women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church” (1 Cor 14:34-35).

The Other Side of the Story:

There are arguments presented that the Bible contains examples of women who held positions of authority and prestige within the church.  References are made to deaconesses (Rom 16:1-2), prophetesses (1 Sam 2:1-10), and women who were greatly respected in the 1st Century Church community (2 John).  None of these Godly women are identified as being pastors though.  In 1 Timothy 3, Paul specifies that a pastor is a “man with one wife” who is “able to teach”.  It seems like a contradiction if it is true that women are permitted by scripture to be pastors.  In one verse Paul says “women are to remain silent”, and just one chapter later Paul identifies a pastor as being a man who is “able to teach”.  How does a person go about teaching when they are quiet?

In the epistle to Titus, Paul writes: “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” (Titus 2:3-5).  Paul makes it clear that women have a critically important teaching ministry, namely, the ministry of teaching younger women how to reflect Godly character.  This is classic Christian discipleship.  God wants all of His children to grow in holiness on a daily basis.  Women have a lot to offer in the official ministreal teaching capacity, just not in the capacity of “overseer”, where they would be tasked with the responsibility of teaching over men.

Occasionally, the argument is made that society has progressed past the culturally “backwards” idea that women aren’t equal to men in the pastoral ministry capacity. These arguments appeal to people’s emotions.  While Western civilization has undoubtedly “progressed”, and it isn’t popular to adhere to ancient (cultural) policies regarding gender roles, the Bible is clear on this issue.  Women are not called into pastoral ministry where they will rule over men.  Often times the Christian will pick and choose which scriptures they want to believe based on their feelings.  Subjective feelings do not change the meaning of the scriptures, no matter how much you may want them to.

My Position:

I want to be clear, I consider men and women to be equals (while submitting to the scriptural principles taught in Ephesians 5:21-33) .  I consider my wife to be my superior in many ways!  However, I am convinced that God has created men and women in separate, yet complimentary ways. The position of pastor is a uniquely male calling, while there are things that women are called specifically to do exclusively.  It would be inappropriate for a male pastor to disciple a young female on a one on one basis in private.  The Apostle Paul states that “older women” are set apart specifically for this task.

Regardless of your view on this topic, it isn’t a display of good Christian character to insult women who serve in an official ministry capacity.  Many times these women are the wive’s of the pastor, and receive the title “pastor” accordingly, even though they don’t have any actual teaching ministry over men.  It’s important to remember that all Christians, whether male or female, are members of a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV). It’s also important to note that it’s a sad thing when there aren’t enough “qualified men” to fill the positions!

I’d love to read your thoughts in the comment section below!