Theology Online

The term for "pastor" in the New Testament is synonymous with the word "shepherd," "elder," “Overseer,” and "Bishop." The term means "to have spiritual authority over the church body." In every case that the word is used in the New Testament it refers to male leadership. God has ordained that the leadership of His church is to be male. This does not mean that women do not have a place in ministry in the church. Women have always held an important place in ministry starting with the ministry of Jesus. In Luke 8:1-3, women participated with the disciples in public ministry with Jesus. They gave witness to the resurrection as the Lord Jesus commanded the women in Matthew 28:1-10. They participated in the establishment of the Church as the Holy spirit filled all of the believers in Acts 2, and as a result they announced the great things that God had done. The growing church in the book of Acts modeled the fulfillment of prophecy that His Spirit would be poured out on all people, men and women, old and young, to tell forth God's message (Acts 2:15-18). Other examples of women involved in ministry include the daughters of Philip who prophesied (Acts 21:9); Dorcas who served (Acts 9:39-41); Lydia who opened her heart and home (Acts 16:40); Priscilla who taught Apollos (Acts 18:24-28); and Phoebe who the apostle Paul addressed as a servant, minister, or deacon (Romans 16:1-2).

However, when it comes to discerning what the Bible has to say about women as elders, bishops, or pastors, the Word of God is our guide and Jesus Christ is our model. When Jesus chose the twelve disciples, He chose them as males. Many, who desire to serve as women pastors, or who attend churches pastored by women, tend to use the cultural dynamic equivalent argument by saying that Jesus was in a male dominated culture and therefore had to choose men. Those who use this argument need to remember that Jesus was never bound by culture or traditions. Jesus often broke or violated cultural and religious taboos. Some examples are shucking grain on the Sabbath (supposedly violating the restriction against work on the Sabbath). Jesus response to the Pharisees objections were that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. Jesus also associated with the outcasts of society- touching lepers, forgiving prostitutes, dining with tax collectors. It is well documented that some of His ministry support came from the wife of a Roman gentile public official. Since Jesus was not bound by culture or tradition, He laid the foundation for His church from the beginning as He desired it to be organized, and from the beginning He chose His elders or pastors to be male. The apostle Paul, also one who was not bound by tradition or culture, and in keeping with the teachings of Jesus, had an opportunity when addressing Timothy as to the role of a pastor, to set a precedent, and allow for both women and men as pastors. Instead, Paul affirmed Jesus' example, and designated that pastors are to be male (I Timothy 3:1-7).

The setting apart for ministry is called ordination. There is a biblical precedent for setting apart men for special work for God. Those set apart were expected, both by God and His people, to instruct, protect, motivate, and equip God's people to know and glorify God personally and corporately by obedience to His will, including evangelizing those who were not God's people, thus participating in building and advancing God's kingdom. An example of ordination in the Old and New Testament is the appointment of Aaron's sons as priests (Exodus 28-29, Leviticus 6-9); in Jesus' words regarding His choosing and appointing the twelve (John 15:16); in appointment Paul and Barnabas for missionary work; in the appointing of elders in the churches led by Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14:23); and in the appointment of elders by Titus at Paul's direction (Titus 1:5). Once again, these men "set apart" for ministry were solely male. The only place in the Bible where women served as leaders, was during the time of the Judges. I believe it is significant that this time in Israels' history was characterized by the writer of Judges as a time "where everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 17:6). Historically, the problem with women assuming the role of pastor has coincided with a decline in competent and strong male leadership, as I believe we are seeing today. Does this mean that women pastors are not sincere? Does this mean women pastors cannot love and minister to their congregations? Does this mean that women pastors are not a competent or professional as male pastors? To all these questions I would answer no, instead I would assert that those who are ordained and serving a women pastors are outside the counsel of Scripture and God's ideal for His church, and this is a very precarious place to be. The Christian and Missionary Alliance recognizes that women are often called to full time ministry as missionaries, teachers, and even associate ministers. We, the Christian and Missionary Alliance, call this consecrated for ministry. This means women are welcome to participate in the works of ministry in every area, including teaching the Bible, except in the area of pastoring a church or holding positions of leadership in the denomination such as District Superintendent, President or Vice President, since these are also positions that carry the weight of elder/ pastor. The C&MA recognizes the contribution of women for and to ministry but cannot ordain what the Bible has chosen to be silent on. Those who argue for ordination of women and consequently women pastors use obscure texts relating to women in ministry and commit gross errors in biblical interpretation to justify their positions. Women and Men are equal before God in gifting, talents, value, and esteem but God has given to each different roles within the church for His purposes and those roles work best and for the greatest good when they are used in God's way for His glory.

EVANSTON ALLIANCE CHURCH HOME PAGE

Send mail to webmaster@evanstonchurch.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: May 15, 2007