GOSPEL TODAY Returns with a cover featuring Dynamic Women Pastors
January 9, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Church, Gospel Today Features, Leaders
By Darryl Izzard
GospelToday.com
Is it right for women to be allowed to Pastor? This is an age old question with strong opinions on both sides. This month Gospel Today talks with seven powerful women who serve at the forefront in the body of Christ as pastors. Each of them have a heart to serve people, a will to obey God and a passion to win the lost.
The church has long been the domain of men who held all leadership roles within its ranks; however, the past few decades have seen a rise in female pastors joining men in leading their churches through spiritual and religious services.
In 2008 Gospel Today Magazine was pulled from LifeWay Christian Bookstores across the United States. Why? The cover, and topic, was “Female Pastors”. According to the Southern Baptist Convention, owner of the LifeWay Christian Bookstores, it was pulled because it went against their belief on Women’s roles as pastors, that it’s only a role reserved for men.
This month Gospel Today Magazine continues the conversation with insightful profiles of seven amazing female leaders who are making a dynamic impact on the kingdom.
Many mainstream denominations like the Southern Baptist Church are clear and very firm on their position regarding this issue. Their statement of belief reads: “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by scripture.”
Other denominational mainstays like the Africa Methodist Episcopal Church have become open to the idea of women pastors and ordained it’s first in 1960.
“I think the church has always been run by women,” Rev. Kim Anderson, senior pastor of the Metropolitan A.M.E. Church. It’s just that the pastor has always generally been men. Women are beginning to mount the pulpit but we’ve always been running the church. You take women out of the church, you don’t have a church.” Rev. Anderson is the first female pastor for Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in it’s 107-year old history.
Recent US Federal Labor Statistics document that one in every eight clergy members is female.
Even with the rise of the acceptance of women as pastors, there are a number women who feel that a woman’s proper place is to serve as a helpmate to her husband.
“I am a woman. I have been happily married to a God fearing man for twenty-two years, and it has been the best of my life. I see my husband as the head of the household. He is head Elder in our local church. He is also a lay Pastor. I would never dream of usurping his authority in the home or the church. The marriage in our home and in the church works because we live the Biblical principles of a husband and a wife. I honor him as head of the home, and he honors me as his helpmate, companion, and friend.“ – GT Reader
Get this month’s edition of Gospel Today Magazine. You will be inspired by the stories of these seven pastors.
What are your thoughts? Can women ministers become pastors? Would you attend a church if the Pastor was a female?
The fact that we are still asking this question says to me that we as Christians still have a lot to learn. I am so troubled that there are still churches that hold onto this backwards thinking. I just don’t see how they can justify this protocol. When you look at the church population it is made up of majority women, so it’s ok to do sustain the church but not lead the church? We’ve got to be better in 2011!
I am a firm believer in women being Pastors!! Women can speak to the needs of other women; They can minister to men also! They can truly give powerful insight!!
Thru-out my lefe, all of my Sunday School teachers have been women. What’s the difference .. teaching the word is teaching the word and the ability to teach the word is not limited to males vs. females!
I fully believe that women should be able to pastor a church as God sees fit. I grew up in a church with a women pastor. I would worship and serve in a church with women pastor. The Bible records that it was a women who first spread the “Good News” that Jesus lives. Matthew 28 give tells this story. Women have always played a major roll in the church. Why not Pastor?
It is tradition and not scripture that keep women out of the pulpit. Read “By Your Traditions” by Dr. Arthur D. Griffin, Sr.
I am actually amazed that we are still at it after all these years of females successfully pastoring major Congregations, however, small our number might be compared to males. But…I suppose… any opportunity to get “our” names and faces out there (even if the same names and faces) is welcomed.
Aleuta Continua(The Struggle Continues)
The Rev. Dr. M. Frances Manning-Fontaine
Senior Pastor/Teacher since 1993
New Hope Baptist Church of Hackensack
In our 91st year of serving the Community
I believe that according to the Word of God that a woman can preach but can’t pastor due to the qualifications of a Pastor….Must be the Husband of one wife. Now I also believe that a woman was not called to lead a man in anything for man was created frist and if you look in the Bible the church was set up by God using men…..God, Jesus and Holy Ghost are all Male gender. First officers of the church (deacons) all male. Men and Women alike need to come back to the place where God ordained them to be for when you step out of place..there is a price to be paid
Thank the Lord for using ALL persons willing to deliver GOd’s word. As a woman pastor I’ve
found it’s best to follow God rather than man.
God is a God of order and the church has order as well. Just because the woman are in majority does not justify them running the church. Just because i can be a single parent and raise children doesn’t mean its the best thing for me or the kids. The Husband is the head of the Wife, if you have to heads in the house that is a 2-headed monster. The Men should lead period but their is nothing wrong with a woman being a Co-Pastor but not a Pastor. Why would she want that burden and responsibility of leading? Just because she can do it doesn’t mean that it is preferred. The Word hasn’t changed just the thoughts of Men…just like same sex couples getting Married. People change but the Word of God is still the final Authority.
This discussion continues the confusion of equality with assignment. That statement alone should be enough but let me say a little more. If we are able to resolve that men and women are equal before God the question of assignment is not the heated debate we make it. there are Biblical, physical, and emotional distinctives related to gender. We also cannot allow secular dscussion to determine Christian theology. If one denies the infallibility of God’s Holy word (The Holy Bible) the discussion is useless. It is better to agree to disagree.
Humans are not seahorses. God made all of creation. He determined that the male gender would give birth when it comes to seahorses. he determined that the female gender gives bith with humans. God set the order for the human family and if Christians allow secular culture to rule family life we will continue the path toward destruction as historically demonstrated by The Decline and Fall of Roman Civilization (Edward Gibbons. This is not a new discussion.
There are leadership roles for women. There is even a place for proclaimation but when we get to Heaven we need to ask God why he set certain things in certian order. His ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts. he is God all by himself. He doesnt need any help from men or women.
Amen, Ayeesha! I totally agree why in the 21st century is this even a question. If it were not for the women in the church, where would the church be? We can be the pastors’ aides but not the pastor. I applaud and have so much respect for the female pastor. Keep on preaching my sisters in Christ.
I think women can be Pastors of a church, however I’m confused that she can be the lead of her husband at the church and he be subject to her authority, but at home their roles change. I’m a member of a church were the Sr Pastor is a man, and his wife is the co-pastor. I’ve witness several times when confusion has come because members are not sure who to consult with. EVERYTHING has to have two approvals, it’s brings about confusion….Hum could this be the reason because it’s not right? I honor them both however, the Sr. Pastor (male) seems to always have to get her approval before he can o.kay a ministry, an event, an announcement etc., when it appears that when the co-pastor (female/wife) says “where going to do a,b,c…) it’s done. Who is the Pastor.
Since God is the one who calls Men and Women to Pastor, I think man better stop messing with The WORD,God can do whatsoever He Pleases,It all belongs to Him anyway.Glory be Unto God and His Son JESUS who Called me(Chosen) into Ministry and the Holy Spirit Anointed me, Not man.
That was Paul speaking,about Women in Leadership Roles,not God’s,and if you will read farther,you will see that he said,it was his opinion. “Study to show thyself approve,and you will not be ashame of your works”Don’t read one verse,read the whole chapter.
I understand the first church was patriarchal and women were expected to keep silent, times change and women are called just as men to preach and proclaim the word of God. In all things I do believe in being decent and in order but time out for believing that women cannot be called to pastor. I have had the opportunity to hear the gospel preached from two of the Pastor’s featured on the cover of the magazine all I can say was “What a word, what a wordâ€. My co-pastor is a woman and I received openly form her just as I do from pastor. To my beautiful sisters preach on for your labor is not in vain.
I feel they do just as good as the men in the;church. With all this gay stuff going on, they bring a different flavor to the church. A balance and it is good.
When I read the question “Should Women Be Allowed To Pastor?” My first response was not my answer, but my question. Who is the one that is doing the allowing? When these kind of debates surface there are two things I remember, one is the words of the Pharisee Gamaliel; “If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.” The second is the advise of Dr. James M. Washington, who has since moved from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant, Dr. Washington advised students not to take a stance against women in ministry because there is a thin line between disagreeing with women in ministry from a patriarchal standpoint and claiming that their claim to a call from God is a lie. For to call the work of the Holy Spirit a lie is blasphemy. I have been in ministry for 37 years as an Associate Minister, Assistant to the Pastor, Assistant Pastor and now Pastor and I have one focus, Jesus Christ and him crucified. I leave the debates between men and women who think that have a say in what God does. The last time I looked there were no vacancies in the Trinity!
It is true that women were designed to aide the men. However, Paul was absolutely not talking about women not being preachers or pastors. The statement refers to the fact that the women were asking many pertinent questions that the leader did not have the time to answer. Even then it seems that women were more interested in the intracacies of Go than the men. If we study the word and God elevates us and speaks to us we need to bothh preach and pastor. God clearly states that life as we knew it is changing and is going to change even more. We need to watch and pray as instructed and this would not even be a question. Women have been in leadership positions since the old testament- nothing has changed with the exception of more opportunity and availability through Christ.
Allowed? I’m Appointed and Anointed and Satisfied!
What we think should be what God says, according the His Word. Can we find women pastors in the scriptures? Yes, we can. Our experiences and women leading in all other areas of life don’t make women pastors valid, God’s Word and plan for the church is what makes women pastors valid. First, we can find Biblical models of women leading in the pastorate and in public worship, and second, we know that the order of God for family does not ever preclude an individual’s calling to serve in church leadership. God never anointed the couple to do what he has called the one designated to the office/function to do; So, a woman can be called to the pastorate and the husband can sit at home or serve alongside in ministry, depending upon his own calling. Mulloverthis.
Amen Ladies, we are all God’s divine tools that have been placed here on earth to instumentally do his will. Yes we should all study to show thyself approve and not be ashamed. If you feel that God has orchestrated you in the role of Pator just remember that obedience is better than sacrafice. Love the Lord with all your heart and soul.
I believe God, God calls, and qualify. he is the author and finisher of our faith. Yes God is the head and the chief cornerstone, but he does call woman to preach and to pastor church. Who he call he qualify, some were call, some were sent and many(mael or female ) just went. God can and will anoint anyone he see fit to lead his people. I was blessed to be under a great woman of God none other than Mother Sarah M. Hankins, who God called home July 29, 2002, she preached the gospel and she builted a church from the ground up in Jamaica Queens, she was a mother first and then a great leader, she will always live in our heart, soul and mind. An anoited women of God yes women can and should be installed as Pastors, some of the greater women of God leads church. Another woman pastor is Dr. Phyllis G. Young. Women make up the church. To God be the Glory. Praise him Peace and Blessing.
Nellie, you hit the nail right on the head. Keep preaching the word my sisters.
I have been ministering for 18 years and the LORD, has called me not man.I am called to be a Pastor.I am waiting on HIS timing to the church he wants me to be the pastor in. I believe if we put aside our personal belief and read the word of God, more souls would be save for the Kingdom of God. We must read the word in Matthew 28: the mission that Jesus came on this earth . The Lord is calling more women and men to accomplish His work.HE doesn’t respect a person. People today need to get a grip and stopping fighting and trust The Lord. He came to seek and save the soul, that is what it is all about!!!!
Ok. So if Paul’s opinion doesn’t matter, what did God say about women pastors? I thought Paul was inspired by God to write this and if it was God inspired then why are we having a hard time accepting it? We follow other things that Paul wrote.
For me it’s not a question as to whether women can Preach, Minister or Pastor a church, the real question is “What do you believe your God can acheive through women?”. If a poll were taken, how many would have said that Moses could lead God’s people safely out of Egypt or Joshua would have befeated Jericho. I just don’t understand how so many question what God is already doing as if He needs a man’s permission or understanding. My God is God alone!
“defeated Jericho”
AMEN! Nellie. I agree with you. This is the problem in the church today, no one is studying for themselves. They take what another human teaches them to be true and run with it. There are more important matters to be discussed in this society than whether or not women should be pastors. I interned under a female pastor for 2 years in an AME church. I have and love women preachers. They bring a realistic point of view to the Word of God. It is not fluffed up and superficial in nature. That does not mean that the male pastor make it fluffed up but having been around a while, many are not teaching and preaching what is needed today. People are hurting and looking for answers and, unfortunately, many of these people a Christians who attend church that are looking for answers. So yes, let the sisters preach and pastor!
Many Female Pastors as myself have served Male Pastors for over 25 years and worked and helped them to build there Churches before we were sent out to Pastor. Paul was talking about a particular situation when he was speaking of Women being silent in the Church. That Scripture has been taken totally out of context to hold Women in Bondage.Women have always built & pioneered Churches but many because of people taking Scriptures out of context turned them over to Males but worked in secret and were the forces that Prayed, Fasted, worked hard and sacrificed to keep them open and viable.
hold up wait a minute………even though God can use anybody to do His will, why do we like keeping things stirred up? if you are His sheep then you heard HIS voice and not another. go and do what Hes called you to do.
Women must remember that there are many gifts of the body of Christ. Women can have many roles,but pastoring over a man is certainly not one of them. We have become too wordly. Read God’s Words and see what He said. Stop listening to women who want to be seen and heard. What happened to being missionaries, speakers, and teachers. There’s lots of work for women to do in the church and outside of the church. Women stay in your place. Just because women are wearing pants now, does not mean that women should be pastoring!!!!!!!!!!!
The role of women in leadership in an official and unofficial position has been a heated debate and an ongoing conversation among theologians, scholars, leaders, clergy, laypeople, etc. Many have used the Scriptures to address their agendas. The Scriptures have been misquoted, misapplied and misinterpreted to suit an individual/committee agenda and/or theory and it is my argument that such has been the case as it pertains to allowing women to operate in ministry an official and/or unofficial capacity. Many will say that Paul was against women being in a position of leadership using the first letter to Timothy, a true son of the faith. In 1 Timothy Paul addresses Timothy and speaks to him about how women are to conduct themselves in public and in worship.
The epistles were considered letters and the writers addressed them whether to an individual such as Timothy or the group with the intent of addressing something that was going on in the region/community. It is hard for me to accept an argument that Paul was against women operating in ministry via prayer and/or prophecy if in 1 Corinthians 11 we see where Paul addresses on how women ought to do so publicly. Paul’s authority and directness as it pertains to women in authority had to address the condition of the times and is not a direct attack or directive of women not being capable or sent by God to proclaim His Word and mission.
The potency of Paul’s view on women should come from a foundational theology he expressed in Galatians, one of his earliest writings. I don’t believe it was the intention of Paul to set an ethnicity or gender above or against one another, but rather to show equality. When he makes the statement of “neither male nor femaleâ€, Galatians 3:28.
Women Pastors .. this has been an ongoing discussion that needs to be put to rest. My prime example is my Pastor, Dr. Yvonne Bennett of the Hallelujah Christian Fellowship Church in Union, New Jersey is a hidden treasure who brings the word and has helped bring thousands to Christ. Women are anointed and gifted and should continue to do what they do, brining the word in and out of season. God bless.
Women can pastor a church because the first person to carry the gospel was a woman. The only reason why most people say a woman can not lead is not only according to the scripture that says she must be silent, they also are looking at the fact that she ate of the tree of knowledge back in Gensis, most baptist, methodist and other church denominations blame that on her.. NO IT IS NOT HER FAULT.. Who did GOD give the commandment to? He Gave it to Adam, Adam knew the rules of the garden, he knew not to eat of that tree, Eve did not twist his are or threaten him to eat of it, he just did in his own mind he made that choice so really it is Adams fault that we are all in bondage and that we have fallen. NOT EVE’S NOT THE WOMAN. you want to contact me visit my website at http://www.wgm1.webs.com or [email protected]
1 Peter 2:18-21 says:
“Slaves , submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.” NIV
Obviously, everyone would consider slavery and beating of slaves as hideous and certainly nothing to recommend submission to. Yet at the time (in context of the above Biblical text) it was legal and socially acceptable, just as it was in the history of America. Often slave masters would read these texts to control their slaves on Southern plantations. Likewise, the “historical context” of oppressing women also shows up in Biblical texts. Why is it not so hard to understand the wrong of slavery, but not grasp the same wrongness in the oppression of women who are called by God to preach and pastor? If we can easily understand the context for one, we should also understand the other. This is 2011, not 70 A.D.
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Wonderful topic to address. I would have preferred a cover with issue relating to women pastors and not sex and singleness in conjunction with. I better marketing plan for advertisement should have been the order.
We tend to confuse “role” and “worth.” Although males and females are worth the same in Christ (Gal. 3:27), different roles have been placed upon men and women (1 Tim. 2:8ff): males are to pray and women are to be subjective. The fact that Paul takes us back to creation (“for Adam was first formed, then Eve” and “Adam was not beguiled, but the woman”) suggests that this precedent transcends any/every culture. Women ARE important; but that doesn’t meant men and women have the same roles. Just my thoughts…
With the world in chaos, wars, earthquakes, and famine, people are still denying God’s Word for women. The list should be what’s on the hearts and minds of the Body of Christ, not whether a woman should be a Pastor or Preacher. I heard a message last Friday night during a prayer service that caused me to look deep in the mirror of my soul. The title, “Caught Red Handed.” Test: Jeremiah 9:17-25. Don’t let the title fool you. We all have blood on our hands because too many are busy with unimportant things. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand, the days are short and we must occupy until He returns. What are we occupying our time, and mouths with? Children being killed on the streets of every city, in every state, in every nation around the world. Why, the Body is not occupying the things of God, but of man. This is why we have all these things going on in America, the Body is busy with man’s stuff and not God’s. Look at the list above, and see where you are. Then repent, as I did and weep for America as Jesus did for Jerusalem! Woman are not fearful to obey God’s instructions which is why man doesn’t want her to preach; “she cries loud and she spares none.”