One of the more prominent issues coming up at the annual Southern Baptist Convention in June is the question
of whether or not a woman can be Biblically granted the role of pastor. To understand that question better, we
must define some words and talk about responsibilities. We must also remember the organization of the
Christian church today is much different in many ways than in its infancy.
A couple of words we should look at is “ordination” and “pastor”. In the King James Bible the word “pastor” is
mentioned only in the book of Jeremiah (several different words translated as pastor) and in Ephesians 4:11. In
the NIV, the word only appears once: Also Ephesians 4:11. The vast majority of theologians, however, agree
that “overseer” and “elder” also refer to the same office as “pastor”. The words indicate both leader and
shepherd. In the New Testament the offices were filled by men.
These men were often “ordained”, that is set aside for the office they held. Most often this was done by the
“laying on of hands”. Aside from this office of shepherding, the only other designated office is “deacon”.
Therefore, these men were ordained for their ministry. That is, they were approved by a body of believers who
attested to their calling.
Now look at the modern-day church “offices”. We have Youth Pastors, Children’s Pastors, Worship Pastors,
Discipleship Pastors, Senior Pastors, Executive Pastors, Associate Pastors, and Mission Pastors. Most of these
positions are ordained, but some aren’t. It is a fact that a few of these offices, Youth, Music, and Children, can
readily be filled by a woman…if we drop the word “pastor” and substitute “director”.
The question is really this: Should a woman be ordained as the leader/shepherd of a body of believers? In
recent years, several ordinarily conservative churches have answered “yes” to that question. In doing so they
have abandoned, not only many years of church polity, but also sound Biblical teaching. On the surface, we see
a woman as just as knowledgeable and capable as a man to pastor a church. I can’t argue with that…. except for
this: God’s plan and purpose.
The Bible clearly says that the man should be the leader of the family…and the church. That doesn’t demean the
role of the woman one bit if you are thinking with a spiritually mature mind that is focused on God. The
“worldly” way of thinking says that means that a man is superior to a woman. Nothing is farther from the truth.
The fact is that men and women are different, created in God’s image with special and unique characteristics.
They are not suited for each other’s roles in God’s amazing plan.
To say that a woman shouldn’t be a pastor is not saying that she is less than a man or less important to the
church. Many churches would have folded and failed long ago if not for the hard work and determination of the
women God had gifted to those churches. And the Bible speaks volumes when it says that every part of the
church is of equal importance.
Don’t fall prey to the jumble of indignant voices crying out that men and women are the same. They are
not…and with reason. But both sexes, in their differences, are vitally important to a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing
church.
Say good things about your Savior and His church.
Bro. Tony
of whether or not a woman can be Biblically granted the role of pastor. To understand that question better, we
must define some words and talk about responsibilities. We must also remember the organization of the
Christian church today is much different in many ways than in its infancy.
A couple of words we should look at is “ordination” and “pastor”. In the King James Bible the word “pastor” is
mentioned only in the book of Jeremiah (several different words translated as pastor) and in Ephesians 4:11. In
the NIV, the word only appears once: Also Ephesians 4:11. The vast majority of theologians, however, agree
that “overseer” and “elder” also refer to the same office as “pastor”. The words indicate both leader and
shepherd. In the New Testament the offices were filled by men.
These men were often “ordained”, that is set aside for the office they held. Most often this was done by the
“laying on of hands”. Aside from this office of shepherding, the only other designated office is “deacon”.
Therefore, these men were ordained for their ministry. That is, they were approved by a body of believers who
attested to their calling.
Now look at the modern-day church “offices”. We have Youth Pastors, Children’s Pastors, Worship Pastors,
Discipleship Pastors, Senior Pastors, Executive Pastors, Associate Pastors, and Mission Pastors. Most of these
positions are ordained, but some aren’t. It is a fact that a few of these offices, Youth, Music, and Children, can
readily be filled by a woman…if we drop the word “pastor” and substitute “director”.
The question is really this: Should a woman be ordained as the leader/shepherd of a body of believers? In
recent years, several ordinarily conservative churches have answered “yes” to that question. In doing so they
have abandoned, not only many years of church polity, but also sound Biblical teaching. On the surface, we see
a woman as just as knowledgeable and capable as a man to pastor a church. I can’t argue with that…. except for
this: God’s plan and purpose.
The Bible clearly says that the man should be the leader of the family…and the church. That doesn’t demean the
role of the woman one bit if you are thinking with a spiritually mature mind that is focused on God. The
“worldly” way of thinking says that means that a man is superior to a woman. Nothing is farther from the truth.
The fact is that men and women are different, created in God’s image with special and unique characteristics.
They are not suited for each other’s roles in God’s amazing plan.
To say that a woman shouldn’t be a pastor is not saying that she is less than a man or less important to the
church. Many churches would have folded and failed long ago if not for the hard work and determination of the
women God had gifted to those churches. And the Bible speaks volumes when it says that every part of the
church is of equal importance.
Don’t fall prey to the jumble of indignant voices crying out that men and women are the same. They are
not…and with reason. But both sexes, in their differences, are vitally important to a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing
church.
Say good things about your Savior and His church.
Bro. Tony