Question

Dear Reverend Keith,

Thanks for wonderfully expounding the scripture about tithe, I really appreciate it. I have a small doubt about woman ministers, though I fully respect their intelligence, integrity and sincere loyalty towards the call. Somehow apostle Paul (in epistles) does not encourage woman to speak in the church and to be under the men, and to ask questions only to their respective husbands at home. Apostle Peter (in epistles) encourages woman to be modest and not to braid their (resist fashion or style statements) hairs and putting of ornaments etc... the bottom line "learning in subordination". In the book of Joel "Spirit will be poured on your sons and daughters, shall see visions...". Through woman the disciples came to know about Jesus resurrection. Woman caught in adultery was forgiven by Lord, upliftment of woman first time in the history of mankind through Lord Jesus. In secular world woman are treated at par with men. In the light of all these above stated facts, How do you view woman pastors? What does the scripture say emphatically and authentically.

Answer

Thank you for your kind encouragement.

By the way, I do not wear a religious title of any kind (See Matthew 23:8-12). Members of the congregation where I preach just call me "Keith," and you may do the same.

Since pastors ("shepherds"), elders, and bishops ("overseers") are all the same thing (Acts 20:17,28; 1 Peter 5:1-2), and a bishop (1 Timothy 3:1-2) or elder (Titus 1:5-6) must be "the husband of one wife," obviously a woman may not be a pastor. Furthermore, pastors (elders, overseers) rule in the local church (1 Timothy 5:17), and women cannot be over men in the church (1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:11-12), so again, obviously women may not be pastors or exercise any other leadership role over men in the local church. Women may indeed teach (e.g., Acts 21:9; Titus 2:3-5), as long as they do not teach over men (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12). It does not mean women are inferior to men. It just means God gave men the leadership role in the home and in the church (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:3; 14:34-35; Ephesians 5:22-24; 1 Timothy 2:11-15).

Cordially,
Keith Sharp

PASTORS (Three Greek Words - Six English Words - One Office) Keith Sharp
Greek Words	(poimen)	(presbuteros)	(episkopos)
English Words	pastors, shepherds	elders, presbytery (1 Timothy 4:14, KJV, NASB)	bishop, overseers
References	Ephesians 4:11; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2	Acts 11:30; 14:23; 15:2,4,6, 22-23; 16:4; 20:17; 21:18; 1 Timothy 4:14; 5:17; Titus 1:5; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1	Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2