Women as Pastors: Our Writers Weigh In
January 24, 2017
KAITLYN BOYD:
I remember my first time hearing a woman preach at church. Before then I had never given it much thought. It's not that I was opposed to the idea, it just never crossed my mind.
I had just graduated high school at the time, and was attending a new church that I really loved. It was actually the mom of the lead pastor who was preaching that week, and honestly my initial thought was, "Huh, she must have some sort of story to tell," not even thinking it would be a normal sermon. As she began speaking, it dawned on me that she was in fact speaking an actual sermon, and boy was it incredible.
It was such an empowering experience for me as a young woman believer. I think what I loved about it the most was how different it was. It was completely new to me for a woman to be up on the stage preaching. It implied such a confidence that was motivating in a whole new way.
In this same stage of life, when I went back home for my college service there, there was a woman preacher as well. She was younger, as it makes sense for a college pastor to be, and she quickly became a friend and mentor of mine. Watching her up on stage each week became a very normal thing in my life, that since then I have never questioned or been shocked to see women pastors.
I wouldn't even say this is on the whole approach of "women should have the same rights as men," (although, I do, but that's beside the point.) What I do care passionately for is hearing God speak through his people. Regardless of who it is, I think we have all been called to hear from him, and those who choose to share that on stage, in front of hundreds of expectant - maybe even judgmental - people, is amazing to me.
I believe I have a somewhat biased opinion, considering I am a woman; but I think it's something to be open to. Before you speak your mind about what you think about women preachers, experience it and hear God speak in a completely different way.
MATT SMELSER:
An exception to the rule is never an excuse to change the rule.
The Biblical model of relationships is one of headship and submission. The wife submits to the husband out of reverence for Christ, adorning herself with eternal beauty (1 Peter 3). The layman submits to church leadership, saving his soul from wandering. Children submit to parents to receive a blessing (The Ten Commandments, yo). Employees and citizens submit to institutions for the glory of Christ (1 Peter 3-4).
On the flip-side, the husband assumes a role of headship which carries an impossible mandate to love his wife as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5). Church leaders assume a role of headship that carries with it an increased standard for judgment (James 3).
The question is: To what extent do women in leadership roles invert the (explicit) Biblical order of headship?
Because as we seek to clarify that nuanced question, we will encounter a million exceptions. And the exceptions to a rule should never change the rule. Exceptions should, instead, give us opportunity to clarify the heart of the law (not beat people over the head with the letter of the law). In the case of submission, headship, and gender roles, the heart of the law is a beautiful picture God has given to the world to display His Gospel.
Should women be pastors? I don't know. Probably not. Should women assume leadership roles outside of the governance of a church body, completely bypassing any form of church discipline and headship (Jen Hatmaker)? Definitely not. Should women use their gifts for more than the church nursery? Absolutely.
ELISE BUCHHEIT:
I cannot look at the role of women in the church in a vacuum. I believe that people who have historical and systemic power use all available institutions and constructs to validate and reinforce that power, including religion. It is also so difficult for me to act like all we need to settle the question of "What role should women have in the church?" are the most accurate interpretations of 1 Timothy/Ephesians/1 Corinthians/etc. Maybe some of Paul's instructions were specific to the issues of each church and maybe some of the translations and interpretations are influenced by the desire to continue to empower men, I don't really know. At the end of the day, I believe that beyond the core tenets of doctrine - the apostle's creed and the universal need for a savior - there are numerous church functioning decisions that are pleasing to God. I say that as a deacon in a church which excludes women from eldership and from preaching. I also say that as someone who grew up in and worked at a church with many women pastors and teachers who greatly contributed to my faith through their mentorship and life examples. Pastors have a heavy burden to carry as they try and remain faithful to their convictions about how their church should function. While I sometimes chafe at the limitations put on women in churches, I absolutely do not want to unfairly or selfishly add to that burden just because my convictions are not the same as my pastor’s. What I do know with certainty is that we need diversity in our leadership teams. We need different perspectives and backgrounds offering advice and bringing new perspectives to the planning and decision processes (i.e. I forced my way onto the all-male Stewardship Team during consideration of new building rentals and was the only person to object to two single bathrooms to serve all the potty-training children and the entire congregation). Further, women are needed in some form of leadership in every church so that there is a safe place for the women of the church to seek counsel, pursue discipleship, and be encouraged as a daughter of Christ. While I wish this was a less divisive issue among our churches, I am glad that women are leading discussions about how to glorify God as women and as followers of Christ.
JOHN WEIRICK:
I grew up in a conservative Christian tradition that restricted women from formal church leadership. Though they believed men and women were of equal value to God, they taught an interpretation of biblical texts that stated God did not allow women to be pastors of any kind, nor were women allowed to teach boys or men. Furthermore, wives were to always submit to their husbands, and were forbidden from being fully equal co-leaders with their husbands. Because I was taught that's what the Bible required, in my mind it became sinful and shameful for any female to exert leadership, influence, spiritual direction, and anything other than subservient deference to males. Feminism was a dirty word, and their version of complementarianism functioned like a soft hierarchy.
Until years after college, I did not challenge this interpretation of the Bible. When I started reading more widely, listening to stories of people from outside my normal sphere of influence, and intentionally choosing to challenge my assumptions about many aspects of God, faith, and practical living, my perspectives began to shift. What was most surprising was the way others thoughtfully, passionately, and convincingly argued for a historically, theologically, contextually consistent interpretation of Bible passages regarding women in leadership in the church and in the home. And while they made the biblical case for women's equal place in the church and in the home, the majority of their engagement with the ideas, and those who interpreted things differently, was filled with love, respect, and willingness to walk through the discussion together, instead of bitterly arguing points to the detriment of constructive criticism and the peace of unity among communicators throughout various Christian traditions.
It became especially apparent that not only did God not prohibit women from leadership, but throughout Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures, God used women in unique and powerful ways to lead people to greater flourishing. And as I looked around at people I knew, I found women who did not clamor for attention or the right to lead, but who led with passion, conviction, power, and integrity in their personal, professional, and ministry life. They didn't need the formal leadership offices to know God called them and prepared them for leadership ministry.
The more capable, empowered, faith-filled women I see leading well, and the more men I see affirming their ministry and sharing leadership opportunities with them, the more confident I grow for the present and future of the church embodying the way of Jesus and bringing renewed life into the world.
CASSIE LEE:
What are your initial thoughts when you think about women leading as pastors or ministry leaders in official roles within the church? Are you for it or against it? Why?
For it. Throughout the bible you see various women playing important roles and I think it’s important to involve women in leadership. Many people believe in complementarianism, but only with women as the complement. I believe men and women complement each other, especially when it comes to loving and leading people as a church.
Have there been any key women pastors in your own life that have influenced you? Can you share more about that, and tell us what was meaningful about their presence and their role in your life?
The church I was saved in was led by a husband and wife team. They broke down many of the preconceived notions I had about sexism in the church. I saw a lot of myself in the female pastor.
What do you think a woman's role in the church should be? Should there be positions that are off-limits? Why or why not?
I don’t think any positions should be off limits. Throughout the Bible, women are seen in instrumental roles, I don’t see why today’s church should be any different.
What's exciting to you about gender roles in the church? What's frustrating?
I have seen many men in our church step out of society’s expectations of them and really love on other people. Selfless, lay your life down love that society often views as “weak” in men. I’m super excited about this. What’s frustrating is feeling limited in my ability to live out the gospel and lead others simply on the basis of my anatomy, especially when I believe the gospel does not support this stance.
Are there passages in the Bible or other writings/resources that have helped solidify your view on gender roles in the church?
This is SO GOOD: https://www.elca.org/JLE/Articles/1149
TAYLOR SCHUMANN:
I am fully supportive of women in all areas of ministry and leadership positions, including pastoral ones. I could write pages on the subject. However, the truth is that it would take more than 1-2 paragraphs to explain the biblical basis for this belief, and to counter the interpretations of verses like Ephesians 5:21-33 or 1 Timothy 2:8-15 that are so often used to keep women quiet in the church. There are countless resources and information out there, and ways to learn, and I am always willing to send you in the right direction if you are interested.
So when I’m asked the question “How do you feel about women in church leadership?” instead of going all out with thousands of words that would take days to write, my response is to direct people to look at the women in the Bible. What did they do for the kingdom? How did they serve? Who did they lead? Who did they minister to? Were they restricted in any way in their ministry?
Deborah led Israel | Judges 4
Mary Magdalene was the first to preach the gospel to people (including men) | John 20:1-18, Luke 24:1-12, Mark 16:9-11
Esther saved her people | The Book of Esther
Priscilla corrected a man who was preaching false teachings | Acts 18:24-28
Junia, an apostle in the early church who partnered with Paul in ministry as an equal | Romans 16:7
Miriam, a prophet who led worship | Exodus 15
Nympha and Lydia who hosted church in their homes | Acts 16:11-15, Colossians 4:15
Phoebe, a female deacon | Romans 16:1-2
Mary who annointed Jesus as the Messiah | John 12
Huldah who interpreted the law for the nations | 2 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 34
Anna, a prophet who worships and fasted both day and night | Luke 2:22-40
Joanna and Suzanna, disciples who traveled with Jesus Christ | Luke 9:1-3
In scripture we see women serving as prophets, apostles, and disciples of Jesus. They shared the gospel, interpreted his teachings, partnered with men in ministry, led worship, and brought people to Jesus in countless ways. The truth is, many limits we’ve placed on women in ministry and leadership are all manmade, earthly constructs. Maybe we should let women do as much in the church today as the women of the Bible did. If God intended women to be silent onlookers of Jesus and the church, then nowhere in scripture would we see women exercising this level of leadership.