It was one of those topics I avoided at all costs. It seemed to have been popping up more on social media with videos having a similar theme and question: Should women preach? Should women be pastors? Shortly after leaving the hyper charismatic movement, I had worked up the nerve to search the Scriptures on several matters to see what Scripture had to say in context. Even sharing these things publicly took time because of the stigma as to what people might think. This topic, however, was one I dodged in evaluating.

Looking back, I believe it was indeed out of fear that what I had believed and even engaged in at times would be called into question. Looking to the present, I am thankful to have laid my pride aside and to have listened to teaching about women in ministry in accordance with Scripture because it brought me to repentance. The fear I had of my beliefs being called into question have been served best by understanding my rebellion against God and His order in the handful of times of preaching and teaching to a mixed congregation. Looking to the future, I hope to glorify Christ in my conduct and to serve other sisters in Christ well by pointing back to the truth of His Word.

There are many well-known women today who preach and teach in churches. Some of these women hold the title of pastor, and some have even embraced the title of apostle or prophet. They minister and exercise authority over men and women. They may even take a position in their home as the spiritual leader over their husband. Scripture is helpful to us in these matters, and this should give us great comfort and joy.

1 Timothy 2: 11-15 is the passage that leads to so much contention for so many. It says, “Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.” This is not the only place in Scripture the Holy Spirit led Paul to say anything about the role of women in the church. 1 Corinthians 14:33b-35 briefly talks about women stating, “As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also say. 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.” Titus 2:3-5 provided instruction for older women discipling younger women in conduct toward their husbands and children, with the importance of “gospel living”.

The question may be posed as to why it is an issue for a woman to be a pastor, and the answer could be found in the proceeding verses in 1 Timothy 3 where Paul clearly states under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit an overseer and a deacon are to be the husband of one wife. We see from the passages in 1 Timothy 2 that God established an order from the beginning in the garden. We consistently see in Scripture that permanent positions of leadership were held by men. Women are not second-class citizens in saying such a thing. To recognize God’s order in Scripture and why He created in the way He did does not take away from our role as women of God.

(For a message concerning 1 Timothy 2:9-15, Listen to this teaching: (155) The Role of Women in the Church (1 Tim. 2:9-15) – YouTube)

I appreciate what this author had to say about women in ministry, “Many women excel in gifts of hospitality, mercy, teaching, evangelism, and helping/serving. Much of the ministry of the local church depends on women. Women in the church are not restricted from public praying or prophesying (1 Corinthians 11:5), only from having spiritual teaching authority over men. The Bible nowhere restricts women from exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12). Women, just as much as men, are called to minister to others, to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), and to proclaim the gospel to the lost (Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; 1 Peter 3:15).”

The trap in today’s culture is set to yield to what the culture or the world says is “truth”. The world’s standard regarding women is not to be the standard for women who are in Christ Jesus, and one could make the point that the world actually holds a low view of women while the Bible holds a high view of women. When we embrace worldly beliefs and we entertain thoughts and sentiments from those who reject Christ and who view the Bible as archaic or patriarchal in a negative connotation, we engage in rebelling against God, the One we profess to love and to exalt. We diminish the very Word of God that was written by men who were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

There are going to be opposing views to what is stated here, and that is understandable. We need to have these discussions with gentleness, patience, and love. We also need to have them with an open Bible. I would encourage you to sincerely ask yourself two questions when considering this topic: When was the last time you read the passages mentioned above and the surrounding verses in your private time? When was the last time you studied these passages in your private time? These were questions I had to ask myself. This is not a debate on women being able to minister to other women, to children, or to serve in various capacities in the church and in the community. This goes back to holding a high view of Scripture, even when it disagrees with us personally.

The beautiful role God has given us as women, wives, and mothers has been assaulted from the beginning by lies and the temptation to know better in our own understanding. But God’s order and His ways are better. What His Word has to say supersedes feelings, opinions, and even the still small voice attributed to God that may be our own thoughts and desires we validate with His name. Dear sister, we need not be afraid of what His written Word tells us. Our abilities do not define us. Christ defines us.

Listen to this episode from The Lovesick Scribe podcast dealing with the topic of women in ministry: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: O Sister, Where Art Thou? on Apple Podcasts