Christians: What do you think of women as priests/pastors/preachers?

Question

Thanks in advance for your answers! :)

Answer 1

Whoa! I first want to say to jonjon, that you have the totally wrong verse in mind here. Paul stated that to the women not to put them in the place, it was because the principal location of his sermons were in synagogues. Women were located behind a partially veiled wall. From there they would shout to their husbands various things...pray for so and so...ask the Rabi about this...etc. While they would be shouting, the message was lost. So when Paul mentioned this, he did so to emphasis that personal matters can wait til after service. That when you are there, your intention should be on receiving fellowship, NOT appropriating business. This has long been improperly envoked as a means to put a muzzle on women with the body of Christ, and its notion is completely unscriptural. I would say that there is a definitive place for women within the Church. Would it be appropriate it for them to lead...that I don't know. I know that as head of the household, men are called to be accountable to the spiritual condition of their home. Evidence of this is not only found in scripture, but also in the attacts men receive throughout life. A man's worldly value is explicitly attached to his ability to provide for his family and his ability to perform above expectations at work. So it Satan can keep him from home long enough, and waste him away long enough in the world, the man will be completely ineffectual at home within his spiritual role. How does this play out in the Church...that I don't have a definitive answer for. Christ teaches that the sexes are equal, each with an invaluable role to play unique unto them selves. I would argue that like the home, the Church is also held accountable to a man. If one doesn't step up, than like we see in the Old Testament, in the Book of Judges, God will call upon a woman, but His anger will still reside with the men that didn't step up this His call. So, I would argue that leadership, specific to that of pastoring as there are literally tons of different leadership roles within the body, would fall upon a man.

Answer 2

We cannot pick and choose what scriptures we follow, even if we don't understand God's reasoning. We can attempt to understand the reasoning, but we cannot choose to ignore the scripture. Scripture is clear on this point. It is not allowed. There are some roles within the church where it is unclear if women can have or not, but as far as one who proclaims the word publicly, the scripture explicitly forbids it.

I don't know why this is. I have a couple of different theories, but my guess is as good as the next persons. Perhaps God made men in such a way that they will always have a difficult time taking a woman as seriously as a man. (I hope this isn't the case, but even in today's society there is evidence of this). Maybe God feels that men need to lead in order to get more in touch spiritually. I just don't know. One thing I do know: It is not because men are superior to women. The Bible also is very explicit about that one!

Answer 3

I do not think that they should have any of those positions. As in a marriage, the man is the leader of the household and the man and woman submit to each other. It is relativity the same way with the church. God is the ultimate leader, the pastor should be a direct reflection of God. God intended for the man/men to lead. not the other way around. And as in marriage, if the woman tries to lead, we have all seen what happens. There is unrest in the family. The church is the family of God, therefore it should be lead by a man and only a man.

Answer 4

If God calls a woman...I am all for this. Many religions site what was done, in Biblical times. Well, women had almost NIL rights back then! Still, God used many great women! It is a man's thing to want to carry this forward!

Proofs: Anna, the prophetess, she prayed outside the Temple when Jesus was born! When Mary and Joseph, took Jesus to the Temple, for a blessing, Anna, was there! She recognized the child as the redeemer!!
Naomi, in the book of Ruth....Naomi tried to tell her husband not to leave and go into other lands! He did anyway as he allowed the drought to cause much fear, in him. Naomi, knew better but, she followed her husband and not the will of God! The husband and two sons, never returned to Israel...Naomi did and with Ruth, a true friend! There, God restored all Naomi had lost through Ruth and Boaz, the kinsman redeemer!

Now, I could go on and on as to how God has used women! It is man that chooses not to allow or, allow women, in ministry! God would that all be vessels and I pray, I am not failing HIM!

Answer 5

I think there is nothing wrong with women being pastors/preachers, if I can recall, no where in the word of God that state that a woman cannot be a preacher, i dont understand why people dont think that a woman cannot be a preacher or pastor......show me where it say it other wise.

Answer 6

Here I am in direct opposition to the doctrine of my church, knowing that what I think will never make an ounce of difference, and even though I write a column for my church newsletter, I would never pursue this one -- any woman who pursues the same education, the same classes, etc., should be allowed the same position.

If you are qualified, then you should be allowed. Period. It's not about sexism, it's about capability. Women teach Sunday School, women are DCEs (Director of Christian Education -- and they have authority over men there), women lead Bible studies -- what's the big deal?

Have a great day!

Answer 7

Wow, this question came up with our pastor, and we all have different answers, As far as a leader of a Church, The Bible says something to the effect of a Man being the leader, but we are all called to winess and desciple and I can't see God not wanting someone to not stand up and teach, we have many good ladies that teach the word, and it gets across.
I know in Corinthians it tells that woman should be quiet in church and ask any questions when they get home to thier husbands, but we have to look at it in that time frame, there was alot of talking, and the One Preaching could not be heard, So they were refrained from talking during service, but we all learn from The HOly Spirit, and we should all witness.

Answer 8

As one of my contacts consistently and correctly points out. God made men to be men and women to be women. I don't believe God intended for women to be priests, the same way he did not intend for men to give birth. It's not about sexism, it's about roles. Neither is better than they other, just different.

As far as pastors and preachers are concerned I suppose I don't see why not. That's a bit different than an RC priest.

Answer 9

The first followers of Christ had women as church leaders, here are a couple of examples, there are others --

Colossians 4:15 "... Also give my greetings to Nympha and the church that meets in her house."

Romans 16:1 "I would like you to welcome our sister Phoebe. She ministers to the church in Cenchrea. 2 I ask you to receive her as one who belongs to the Lord. Receive her in the way God’s people should. Give her any help she may need from you. She has been a great help."

Women not leading churches is based on a handful of Paul's scriptures -- some written after Paul was dead.

The first word the resurrected Christ spoke was "woman," and women were first called by Christ to spread the Good News.

Who are we to contradict Christ?

Answer 10

I think it's a good idea as long as the head pastor or minister is a man. I think we're doing ourselves a GREAT disservice to ban women from being pastors or preachers. Plus I don't think it's God's will. God used women to both lead His people, (Deborah, Esther) and play essential roles - Mary, Ruth, Rahab, etc.

I think a lot of males are threatened by the thought of a woman in a leadership position but in Christ we are neither "male nor female..." (Gal. 3:28)