Women as Pastors
Purpose: To explain Coastal Christian’s doctrinal position on women as pastors as determined through the lens of Scripture.
The word pastor comes from a Latin word which means “shepherd.” The New Testament presents two offices that constitute church leadership elder/overseer and deacon. Paul lists the qualifications for elder/overseer in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. Notice that in the 1 Timothy passage, Paul refers to them as overseers (episcopos in the Greek), and in Titus, he refers to them as elders (presbuteros in Greek). From this, it can be concluded that there is one office with different designations. The word elder refers to the life experience of the office holder, while the word overseer emphasizes the responsibility of the officeholder to watch over the congregation and meet their spiritual needs.
In the New Testament, the words pastor, elder, and overseer can be used interchangeably, with each word providing a different emphasis on what contribution the leaders make to the Body of Christ. The three words come together in 1 Peter 5:1–2 where Peter exhorts elders to shepherd the flock of
God and serve as overseers, caring for the flock as they wait for the Chief Shepherd. There are many things that could be said, but only those words obtained from scripture will determine our decisions.
Coastal Christian’s view is not because of sexist leaders or male chauvinism, nor will it be based on sympathetic views to the mistreatment of women in the past.
Coastal Christian’s position will not be determined by emotions, secular reasoning, current culture, or personal experience, but by what
scripture has to say.
What Coastal leaders are not permitted to do when determining doctrine:
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by emotions.
“I have been under the teaching of women pastors that preach
better than men!”
“I know a woman that has the gift of pastoring.”
“I just feel like...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by logic.
“It just seems like...”
“It just makes sense that...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by culture.
“Because women are now leading in areas of politics, the corporate world, community activism, etc., they should be able to...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by experience.
“I know great women preachers.”
“I know great women pastors.”
Bible proofs
Women play an extremely significant role in advancing the kingdom and there is a strong case for women being able to speak or share the Word of God in the midst of the congregation.
• Priscilla and Aquila/Acts 18:26. They take Apollos aside and explain the way of God to him more accurately. The Bible does NOT prohibit a woman from teaching a man something.
• Luke 8:2-3. Several women supporting Jesus in ministry.
• Romans 16. Paul lists about 16 people and the greater majority
of them were women.
• Acts 21:9. Phillip had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy (“Speaking forth the word of God.”).
• 1 Corinthians 11. Paul allows women to pray and prophesy in church.
Different roles do not diminish a person’s value.
• There are certainly orders within the home and in church. Genesis and Ephesians make it clear that there are different roles between a husband and the wife. But neither is more important than the other because they function in different roles or capacities. Even the very nature of God’s existence goes to prove this point.
• Galatians 3:28 - In Christ, there is no male or female.
• 1 Corinthian 12, goes on to say, that there is one body, but many parts, and no part should say to the other that one is more important than the other.
There is not one single example of a woman “pastor” in the New Testament.
• There are no examples of women overseeing or leading a flock
of people in the Bible.
• You can jump back to the Old Testament and look at Miriam and Debra. But doctrinally, Israel is not the church, and to try to be able to base a doctrinal position based on Old Testament circumstances is a slippery slope, since the priesthood and other forms of governance ended, and a new form of governance began in the New Testament.
• Miriam prophesied and Debra was a judge, but neither of them was a “pastor” within a church.
• Jesus decided women would be the first ones to discover His empty tomb and declare His resurrection.
• Some people point to the disciples and say that because Jesus selected all men, this can be considered a proof text that men have the leadership title within the local church. Some would also point out that all the writers of Scripture are men, as well.
There are biblical passages in the New Testament suggesting with strong implication that the role of “pastor” is reserved for men.
• In 1 Timothy 2, Paul talks about male authority over women in the church. And as he does, he does not refer to culture, he refers to Creation. So, the cultural debate is dismissed when the apostle Paul goes all the way back to Creation, a moment in history that cannot be dismissed.
• In 1 Timothy 3, Paul gives the requirements for those in church leadership. The qualifications are listed throughout the chapter with the male pronoun: HE must be the husband of one wife; HE must manage
HIS own family well.
Women can possess the GIFT of pastoring without serving
with the role or TITLE of “pastor.”
• Many women have the gift of leadership, oversight, shepherding, organization, etc. In fact, Scripture talks about older women teaching/leading younger women.
• Some people say that women weren’t pastors because they weren’t as educated and they didn’t have a chance to be educated enough to be pastors.
But nowhere in the New Testament is your education a requirement
for the title “pastor.”
• Galatians 3 does not enter into the discussion since the context deals exclusively with salvation.
In conclusion, Coastal Christian affirms the God-ordained and significant role that women should play in establishing and leading the local church. Every leadership opportunity is open to women except those that are excluded by Scripture. The Scriptures clearly state that men are to serve in the office of elder and that women are not to serve in church positions in which they
exercise authority over men or in which they teach doctrine to men
(1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:6-9). We do not see this as an issue of equality, for men and women are equal under God. The Bible is clear that men and women do not have the same roles. Qualified women should serve in any leadership position that is not forbidden in the Scriptures.
The word pastor comes from a Latin word which means “shepherd.” The New Testament presents two offices that constitute church leadership elder/overseer and deacon. Paul lists the qualifications for elder/overseer in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. Notice that in the 1 Timothy passage, Paul refers to them as overseers (episcopos in the Greek), and in Titus, he refers to them as elders (presbuteros in Greek). From this, it can be concluded that there is one office with different designations. The word elder refers to the life experience of the office holder, while the word overseer emphasizes the responsibility of the officeholder to watch over the congregation and meet their spiritual needs.
In the New Testament, the words pastor, elder, and overseer can be used interchangeably, with each word providing a different emphasis on what contribution the leaders make to the Body of Christ. The three words come together in 1 Peter 5:1–2 where Peter exhorts elders to shepherd the flock of
God and serve as overseers, caring for the flock as they wait for the Chief Shepherd. There are many things that could be said, but only those words obtained from scripture will determine our decisions.
Coastal Christian’s view is not because of sexist leaders or male chauvinism, nor will it be based on sympathetic views to the mistreatment of women in the past.
Coastal Christian’s position will not be determined by emotions, secular reasoning, current culture, or personal experience, but by what
scripture has to say.
What Coastal leaders are not permitted to do when determining doctrine:
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by emotions.
“I have been under the teaching of women pastors that preach
better than men!”
“I know a woman that has the gift of pastoring.”
“I just feel like...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by logic.
“It just seems like...”
“It just makes sense that...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by culture.
“Because women are now leading in areas of politics, the corporate world, community activism, etc., they should be able to...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by experience.
“I know great women preachers.”
“I know great women pastors.”
Bible proofs
Women play an extremely significant role in advancing the kingdom and there is a strong case for women being able to speak or share the Word of God in the midst of the congregation.
• Priscilla and Aquila/Acts 18:26. They take Apollos aside and explain the way of God to him more accurately. The Bible does NOT prohibit a woman from teaching a man something.
• Luke 8:2-3. Several women supporting Jesus in ministry.
• Romans 16. Paul lists about 16 people and the greater majority
of them were women.
• Acts 21:9. Phillip had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy (“Speaking forth the word of God.”).
• 1 Corinthians 11. Paul allows women to pray and prophesy in church.
Different roles do not diminish a person’s value.
• There are certainly orders within the home and in church. Genesis and Ephesians make it clear that there are different roles between a husband and the wife. But neither is more important than the other because they function in different roles or capacities. Even the very nature of God’s existence goes to prove this point.
• Galatians 3:28 - In Christ, there is no male or female.
• 1 Corinthian 12, goes on to say, that there is one body, but many parts, and no part should say to the other that one is more important than the other.
There is not one single example of a woman “pastor” in the New Testament.
• There are no examples of women overseeing or leading a flock
of people in the Bible.
• You can jump back to the Old Testament and look at Miriam and Debra. But doctrinally, Israel is not the church, and to try to be able to base a doctrinal position based on Old Testament circumstances is a slippery slope, since the priesthood and other forms of governance ended, and a new form of governance began in the New Testament.
• Miriam prophesied and Debra was a judge, but neither of them was a “pastor” within a church.
• Jesus decided women would be the first ones to discover His empty tomb and declare His resurrection.
• Some people point to the disciples and say that because Jesus selected all men, this can be considered a proof text that men have the leadership title within the local church. Some would also point out that all the writers of Scripture are men, as well.
There are biblical passages in the New Testament suggesting with strong implication that the role of “pastor” is reserved for men.
• In 1 Timothy 2, Paul talks about male authority over women in the church. And as he does, he does not refer to culture, he refers to Creation. So, the cultural debate is dismissed when the apostle Paul goes all the way back to Creation, a moment in history that cannot be dismissed.
• In 1 Timothy 3, Paul gives the requirements for those in church leadership. The qualifications are listed throughout the chapter with the male pronoun: HE must be the husband of one wife; HE must manage
HIS own family well.
Women can possess the GIFT of pastoring without serving
with the role or TITLE of “pastor.”
• Many women have the gift of leadership, oversight, shepherding, organization, etc. In fact, Scripture talks about older women teaching/leading younger women.
• Some people say that women weren’t pastors because they weren’t as educated and they didn’t have a chance to be educated enough to be pastors.
But nowhere in the New Testament is your education a requirement
for the title “pastor.”
• Galatians 3 does not enter into the discussion since the context deals exclusively with salvation.
In conclusion, Coastal Christian affirms the God-ordained and significant role that women should play in establishing and leading the local church. Every leadership opportunity is open to women except those that are excluded by Scripture. The Scriptures clearly state that men are to serve in the office of elder and that women are not to serve in church positions in which they
exercise authority over men or in which they teach doctrine to men
(1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:6-9). We do not see this as an issue of equality, for men and women are equal under God. The Bible is clear that men and women do not have the same roles. Qualified women should serve in any leadership position that is not forbidden in the Scriptures.
Women as Pastors
Purpose: To explain Coastal Christian’s doctrinal position on women as pastors as determined through the lens of Scripture.
The word pastor comes from a Latin word which means “shepherd.” The New Testament presents two offices that constitute church leadership elder/overseer and deacon. Paul lists the qualifications for elder/overseer in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. Notice that in the 1 Timothy passage, Paul refers to them as overseers (episcopos in the Greek), and in Titus, he refers to them as elders (presbuteros in Greek). From this, it can be concluded that there is one office with different designations. The word elder refers to the life experience of the office holder, while the word overseer emphasizes the responsibility of the officeholder to watch over the congregation and meet their spiritual needs.
In the New Testament, the words pastor, elder, and overseer can be used interchangeably, with each word providing a different emphasis on what contribution the leaders make to the Body of Christ. The three words come together in 1 Peter 5:1–2 where Peter exhorts elders to shepherd the flock of God and serve as overseers, caring for the flock as they wait for the Chief Shepherd. There are many things that could be said, but only those words obtained from scripture will determine our decisions.
Coastal Christian’s view is not because of sexist leaders or male chauvinism, nor will it be based on sympathetic views to the mistreatment of women in the past.
Coastal Christian’s position will not be determined by emotions, secular reasoning, current culture, or personal experience, but by what scripture has to say.
What Coastal leaders are not permitted to do when determining doctrine:
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by emotions.
“I have been under the teaching of women pastors that preach better than men!”
“I know a woman that has the gift of pastoring.”
“I just feel like...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by logic.
“It just seems like...”
“It just makes sense that...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by culture.
“Because women are now leading in areas of politics, the corporate world, community activism, etc., they should be able to...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by experience.
“I know great women preachers.”
“I know great women pastors.”
Bible proofs
Women play an extremely significant role in advancing the kingdom and there is a strong case for women being able to speak or share the Word of God in the midst of the congregation.
• Priscilla and Aquila/Acts 18:26. They take Apollos aside and explain the way of God to him more accurately. The Bible does NOT prohibit a woman from teaching a man something.
• Luke 8:2-3. Several women supporting Jesus in ministry.
• Romans 16. Paul lists about 16 people and the greater majority of them were women.
• Acts 21:9. Phillip had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy (“Speaking forth the word of God.”).
• 1 Corinthians 11. Paul allows women to pray and prophesy in church.
Different roles do not diminish a person’s value.
• There are certainly orders within the home and in church. Genesis and Ephesians make it clear that there are different roles between a husband and the wife. But neither is more important than the other because they function in different roles or capacities. Even the very nature of God’s existence goes to prove this point.
• Galatians 3:28 - In Christ, there is no male or female.
• 1 Corinthian 12, goes on to say, that there is one body, but many parts, and no part should say to the other that one is more important than the other.
There is not one single example of a woman “pastor” in the New Testament.
• There are no examples of women overseeing or leading a flock of people in the Bible.
• You can jump back to the Old Testament and look at Miriam and Debra. But doctrinally, Israel is not the church, and to try to be able to base a doctrinal position based on Old Testament circumstances is a slippery slope, since the priesthood and other forms of governance ended, and a new form of governance began in the New Testament.
• Miriam prophesied and Debra was a judge, but neither of them was a “pastor” within a church.
• Jesus decided women would be the first ones to discover His empty tomb and declare His resurrection.
• Some people point to the disciples and say that because Jesus selected all men, this can be considered a proof text that men have the leadership title within the local church. Some would also point out that all the writers of Scripture are men, as well.
There are biblical passages in the New Testament suggesting with strong implication that the role of “Pastor” is reserved for men.
• In Timothy Chapter 2, Paul talks about male authority over women in the church. And as he does, he does not refer to culture, he refers to Creation. So, the cultural debate is dismissed when the apostle Paul goes all the way back to Creation, a moment in history that cannot be dismissed.
• In Timothy Chapter 3, Paul gives the requirements for those in church leadership. The qualifications are listed throughout the chapter with the male pronoun: HE must be the husband of one wife; HE must manage HIS own family well.
Women can possess the GIFT of pastoring without serving with the role or TITLE of “Pastor.”
• Many women have the gift of leadership, oversight, shepherding, organization, etc. In fact, Scripture talks about older women teaching/leading younger women.
• Some people say that women weren’t pastors because they weren’t as educated and they didn’t have a chance to be educated enough to be pastors. But nowhere in the New Testament is your education a requirement for the title “Pastor.”
• Galatians Chapter 3 does not enter into the discussion since the context deals exclusively with salvation.
In conclusion, Coastal Christian affirms the God-ordained and significant role that women should play in establishing and leading the local church. Every leadership opportunity is open to women except those that are excluded by Scripture. The Scriptures clearly state that men are to serve in the office of Elder and that women are not to serve in church positions in which they exercise authority over men or in which they teach doctrine to men
(1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:6-9). We do not see this as an issue of equality, for men and women are equal under God. The Bible is clear that men and women do not have the same roles. Qualified women should serve in any leadership position that is not forbidden in the Scriptures.
The word pastor comes from a Latin word which means “shepherd.” The New Testament presents two offices that constitute church leadership elder/overseer and deacon. Paul lists the qualifications for elder/overseer in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9. Notice that in the 1 Timothy passage, Paul refers to them as overseers (episcopos in the Greek), and in Titus, he refers to them as elders (presbuteros in Greek). From this, it can be concluded that there is one office with different designations. The word elder refers to the life experience of the office holder, while the word overseer emphasizes the responsibility of the officeholder to watch over the congregation and meet their spiritual needs.
In the New Testament, the words pastor, elder, and overseer can be used interchangeably, with each word providing a different emphasis on what contribution the leaders make to the Body of Christ. The three words come together in 1 Peter 5:1–2 where Peter exhorts elders to shepherd the flock of God and serve as overseers, caring for the flock as they wait for the Chief Shepherd. There are many things that could be said, but only those words obtained from scripture will determine our decisions.
Coastal Christian’s view is not because of sexist leaders or male chauvinism, nor will it be based on sympathetic views to the mistreatment of women in the past.
Coastal Christian’s position will not be determined by emotions, secular reasoning, current culture, or personal experience, but by what scripture has to say.
What Coastal leaders are not permitted to do when determining doctrine:
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by emotions.
“I have been under the teaching of women pastors that preach better than men!”
“I know a woman that has the gift of pastoring.”
“I just feel like...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by logic.
“It just seems like...”
“It just makes sense that...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by culture.
“Because women are now leading in areas of politics, the corporate world, community activism, etc., they should be able to...”
• Coastal leaders cannot be influenced by experience.
“I know great women preachers.”
“I know great women pastors.”
Bible proofs
Women play an extremely significant role in advancing the kingdom and there is a strong case for women being able to speak or share the Word of God in the midst of the congregation.
• Priscilla and Aquila/Acts 18:26. They take Apollos aside and explain the way of God to him more accurately. The Bible does NOT prohibit a woman from teaching a man something.
• Luke 8:2-3. Several women supporting Jesus in ministry.
• Romans 16. Paul lists about 16 people and the greater majority of them were women.
• Acts 21:9. Phillip had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy (“Speaking forth the word of God.”).
• 1 Corinthians 11. Paul allows women to pray and prophesy in church.
Different roles do not diminish a person’s value.
• There are certainly orders within the home and in church. Genesis and Ephesians make it clear that there are different roles between a husband and the wife. But neither is more important than the other because they function in different roles or capacities. Even the very nature of God’s existence goes to prove this point.
• Galatians 3:28 - In Christ, there is no male or female.
• 1 Corinthian 12, goes on to say, that there is one body, but many parts, and no part should say to the other that one is more important than the other.
There is not one single example of a woman “pastor” in the New Testament.
• There are no examples of women overseeing or leading a flock of people in the Bible.
• You can jump back to the Old Testament and look at Miriam and Debra. But doctrinally, Israel is not the church, and to try to be able to base a doctrinal position based on Old Testament circumstances is a slippery slope, since the priesthood and other forms of governance ended, and a new form of governance began in the New Testament.
• Miriam prophesied and Debra was a judge, but neither of them was a “pastor” within a church.
• Jesus decided women would be the first ones to discover His empty tomb and declare His resurrection.
• Some people point to the disciples and say that because Jesus selected all men, this can be considered a proof text that men have the leadership title within the local church. Some would also point out that all the writers of Scripture are men, as well.
There are biblical passages in the New Testament suggesting with strong implication that the role of “Pastor” is reserved for men.
• In Timothy Chapter 2, Paul talks about male authority over women in the church. And as he does, he does not refer to culture, he refers to Creation. So, the cultural debate is dismissed when the apostle Paul goes all the way back to Creation, a moment in history that cannot be dismissed.
• In Timothy Chapter 3, Paul gives the requirements for those in church leadership. The qualifications are listed throughout the chapter with the male pronoun: HE must be the husband of one wife; HE must manage HIS own family well.
Women can possess the GIFT of pastoring without serving with the role or TITLE of “Pastor.”
• Many women have the gift of leadership, oversight, shepherding, organization, etc. In fact, Scripture talks about older women teaching/leading younger women.
• Some people say that women weren’t pastors because they weren’t as educated and they didn’t have a chance to be educated enough to be pastors. But nowhere in the New Testament is your education a requirement for the title “Pastor.”
• Galatians Chapter 3 does not enter into the discussion since the context deals exclusively with salvation.
In conclusion, Coastal Christian affirms the God-ordained and significant role that women should play in establishing and leading the local church. Every leadership opportunity is open to women except those that are excluded by Scripture. The Scriptures clearly state that men are to serve in the office of Elder and that women are not to serve in church positions in which they exercise authority over men or in which they teach doctrine to men
(1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Timothy 3:1-2; Titus 1:6-9). We do not see this as an issue of equality, for men and women are equal under God. The Bible is clear that men and women do not have the same roles. Qualified women should serve in any leadership position that is not forbidden in the Scriptures.