To Christians: would you accept the authority of a woman-pastor/teacher in church?

Question

Christian tradition as long withheld ordained ministries such as the priesthood, pastorship, eldership, etc. from women. While some newer denominations now have women pastors and preachers, the mainline denominations in general still bar women from the pulpit. The Bible is often cited as justification to the principle that men only should be in Christian leadership. Wonder if other people apart from myself are wondering if this is right?

I am HUMBLED by all the responses so far from my Christian brethren. I see that most if not all of you have thought and wrestled with this question. That alone comforts me, for I have wrestled long and deep with this issue, for I am one who takes my Bible very seriously indeed.

If we interpret 1 Cor. 14: 33b – 36 in its most literal sense then the passage directly contradicts 1 Cor. 11: 5 where women are described as taking an active role in church assemblies by praying and prophesying during services.
Secod, Paul's purpose was to answer a number of questions raised by Corinthians. Paul’s style in answering questions was to write a brief quotation of this question (or report) and then respond to it. Hence, this question was forwarded to Paul: "As in all of the synagogues of the saints, women should remain silent..." Paul's response begins in v. 36 to 40:
"What!? (monous?)Was it from you that the Word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?..."

1 Timothy 2: 8 – 15
Traditionally, "ouk epiprepo" has been translated “I do not permit/allow.” The Greek verb is in the present active indicative – a tense that indicates present continuous action without reference to duration. The more correct rendering should be “I am not permitting/allowing a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man....” Why is this important to know? Because most of us, when we read “I do not permit” actually re-translate that in our heads to mean, “I never permit....” That is not what the Greek says. Closer is, "I am not presently permitting/allowing women to teach..."
There is also considerable debate as to why Paul wrote in the first person: “I am not permitting” instead of “It is not permitted.” Was Paul merely stating a personal opinion here as he was more careful to indicate in a passage in 1 Corinthians 7: 12: “But to the rest, I, not the Lord say..

Almost all commentators agree that Priscilla and her husband Aquila were side-by-side companions of the apostle Paul in his work both in Corinth and in Ephesus, and that of the two, Priscilla was the more gifted and capable teacher, since her name is most often listed first. Together, they were the instructors of the mighty Apollos in his early preaching efforts. Here is a clear-cut case of a knowledgeable woman being used in the teaching of a man with no hint of an objection from Paul. If the prohibition in 1 Timothy 2 is meant as a universal absolute, then why did no one rebuke Priscilla?

Answer 1

I have in the past thought one or two of the directives given in the Bible were outdated because of changes in our environment and knowhow but in the end found that there were things I had no idea were part of my decision to disobey, and have paid for my error, even though I thought at the time I was making a sound decision, so I would say that a woman ought not to teach men or hold the office of elder. In Cor. 14 (can not remember 1 or 2) in the king james Paul while refering to womans abilities uses the word "What" and then mentions who was first to see the light. In acts in Corinth women were the first to follow Jesus so I do not think this guideline has anything to do with a prejudice Paul had nor that he believed that women were in any way inferior. There is no doubt a hidden reason.

The reason may be that men are not going to be listening if a woman is teaching because men are visual as we all know.

Answer 2

No. It is the Word of God and not tradition. The Word of God is a command and not a citation or justification.

The "principle" is not the leadership of men so much as the easy deception of the woman.

This is not my idea but the Word of God. If you do not accept the Bible as inspired; we have reached a total of seven errors in your question, before looking at the spirits behind your question.

It is God not man that has withheld this and you have placed yourself contrary to Almighty God. If you cannot read the Word of God; what spirit will you be listening to as you teach and preach and counsel?

The total situation you describe is one which the Holy Spirit has departed from; and the people, like Sampson of old, wist not that the Lord was departed from him.

But do what you will and consider what you will. The situation is past correction because the male leadership has not kept the Word for the past 50 years.

Answer 3

God says Women's work is equally important to man's. (Gal. 3:28; I Pet. 3:7; Prov. 31:10-31)

God also tells us what their teaching limitations are. (Titus 2:3,4; Proverbs 31:1; 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:5; Acts 18:26; 2:17; 21:9; John 4:28-30,39,42)

None of the verses place women teaching as a leader of a church where they would be in authority over men.

Verses where women are subject to men: Genesis 2:18; 3:16; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18; I Corinthians 11:3; 14:34; I Timothy 2:12-14; 3:4,12; Titus 2:4,5; I Peter 3:1-7

Make of this as you will. As far as I am concerned, what God says is true and right.

Answer 4

Too many people look at this question as an invitation to be argumentative. Biblical teaching does not allow for women to be Leaders in the Church. This, by no way, makes them inferior or less than any man or church leader. God has set a part for every Christian to play in His plan and we are to respect and love each other for that part that we play. Regardless of sex. I am the leader of my house but that does not put me above my wife, it put me beside my wife. The Pastor is not above the women in the church.
"The Bible is often cited as justification to the principle that men only should be in Christian leadership. Wonder if other people apart from myself are wondering if this is right?" This quote from the above question interests me. 1. Of course the Bible is used as justification for issues in the Church..would a true Christian use any other work to cite from? 2. If you are a Christian how can you wonder if the Bible is correct in directing Church administration? Doesn't that go against being a Christian?
Again, not having women as Church leader's is not wrong, it is not sexiest or elitist. It is part of God's plan. For men to look down on women or to think they are inferior because of their own misunderstanding of scripture is the part that is wrong.

Answer 5

Obey God it doesn't matter what Catholic church teaches the equal matters in a way they have got a quite one-of-a-kind aproach despite the fact that They nonetheless feel in God however they are saying works get you to heaven which isn't real Beleving in Christ is the one real strategy to heaven you'll cross to church at a catholic position however you are going to simply get an additional interpritation and a few one-of-a-kind teachings The King James Version is the Baptist Bible And the NIV is the precise Christian Bible the Catholics Use an additional variant that I do not know off the highest of my head however learn an NIV to be able to thoroughly reply all and any questions you may have.

Answer 6

You are right.
Two thousand years ago men played the main roles in almost all social activities which were physically oriented. Nowadays, societies are more sentimentally oriented, so women are holding more and more important roles. But it seems that no individuals can any longer play the role of teachers or preachers, because of the rapidly development of knowledge and of means of spreading information. So leadership and mastership should be passed on to institutions. The laws should govern and not the individuals.
In this new world of a mature humanity, individuals consult and act collectively in teamship under the leadership of administrative councils. That is why national parliaments are considered as highest governing bodies of all advanced and democratic nations.
How and why religious organizations keep on lagging behind human organizations?

Answer 7

There is one book that will debunk the fact that women are not allowed to speak in Church or that women can be pastors. It's called "Who Said Women Can't Teach?" by Charles Trombley and is an in depth Biblical study that highlights the fact that the scriptures often quoted to support the fact that women should not be pastors or should not speak or teach in church are always quoted out of context and do not mean what people want it to mean.

Furthermore there are many examples in the Bible which debunk the idea that women are not allowed to be leaders in churches.

People need to stop using the Bible to spread a gospel of oppression of one group. The Bible was previously misquoted to supported racism and is again being used to justify women being excluded from the church leadership. This perversion of the Bible needs to stop.

Answer 8

I have no problems with a woman in charge of some ministries in Church and/or leading Sunday School classes. However, I do not accept a woman as the Pastor/leader of the Church. By denomination, I am a Wesleyan.

By justification, the Bible states clearly that the Pastor/Overseer/Bishop should be a man. I refer to 1 Tim 3:1-15 which states that he must be "...the husband of one wife...". I also refer to Eph 5:22-33 where we are instructed in husbandly and wifely duties. Christ is often referred to as the bridegroom of the Church and as such it is logical to apply His instructions in Eph 5:22-33 to how the Churches are run as well.

I do not discount the work, effort, and skills of women in the church. The church would probably not be here except for their determination and perseverance in their many and varied ministries both at church and at home.

Answer 9

I'm Pentecostal and would have no problem with a woman being a Pastor. If that is what God has chosen for her to be. I believe this for two main reasons. The Word is for every man, woman, and child. If that is the case why couldn't women be pastors? They could still be shepards to their sheep and submisive to their husbands. I do not believe women should be allowed any further leadership in the church beyond Pastor. The second reason for this belief is that in his first letter to the church in Cor. he says "What ye..." once retranlated to modern language it shows he is saying what are you doing. He is questioning them for returning to Jewish law; implemented to prevent confusion from God having spilled out his spirit upon the people. Ask, seek, knock.

Answer 10

Well you fail to understand what is written, Male Female he created them he them. Both men and women are called to the cause of god. Niether men nor women have the ultimate athourity Only god has that. Is god a male or a female well god is everything so god is both male and female. Remember what christ statted and keep it formost on your mind many are Called to the kindgom FEW are choosen. You sex has nothing to do with the kingdom. It is your spirit and that you need to control. Love god FEAR GOD cause you do not know God.