Question: .

Some churches believe that it is wrong to have women as pastors in the church and don't allow them to hold any offices of authority over men. Are there any verses in the Bible to support this?

John

Answer:

Dear John,

A big topic! And a controversial topic! Here are a few thoughts.

Those who are opposed to women pastoring and having authority, in a pastoral role, usually cite the following: 1 Timothy 2:11-12, 1 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Corinthians 14:34, and Ephesians 5:22-24. Some also quote the same passages to explain that women should do nothing at all in the official services of the church. They would note that all of the patriarchs, priests, elders, kings and prophets of the Old Testament were men. They would note that the 12 apostles were all men, and every evangelist and missionary mentioned in the book of Acts was a man.

Others take a moderating view - that women should not pastor, and perhaps not even preach. But, they believe, women may read Scripture passages, may lead in prayer, may perform and lead in choral and orchestral performances (during worship services) as well as serving as teachers in Bible classes, small group Bible studies, etc. Those who do so would note that the passages in Corinthians seem to be speaking of the pastoral role of the woman, and not other services she may fulfill, for women could prophecy.

A third group would believe that women may preach, and some of this group would say that women may even pastor. They would quote Galatians 3:28, they would cite the example of the husband and wife team of Aquila and Priscilla who taught Apollos "the way of God more adequately" (Acts 18:26). They would point out that Paul, in Romans 16, called Junias an apostle.

If you would like to research this matter in some detail and examine the perspectives of these differing groups I recommend the book, "Women in Ministry - Four Views" published by Inter-Varsity Press.

Hope this helps.

In Christ,

Greg Albrecht