QUESTION: "Pastor, do you have women preachers or women Pastors in your Church?"

 Dear Friend, the answer is no. There is no Biblically based authorization for women Pastors. Women can hold the office of Deaconess or Prophetess, but women are not allowed to teach men in the congregation. However, this does not mean that women are less knowledgeable than men, and certainly women should be respected and honored as co-heirs of the Kingdom of God. But God’s Word is definitely clear on this subject. For some this seems unfair but we must always trust that God knows what He is doing. Whether we like it or not we must always yield to God and not usurp authority not granted to us. Those who enter into God’s Kingdom will only do so on His terms.

     Paul instructed Timothy to teach the churches that women should not teach men saying -"A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet." (1 Timothy 2:11-12) The Book of 1^stCorinthians teaches the same thing, notice - "The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says." (Chapter 14:34) Concerning the qualifications of a Pastor Paul wrote, "HE must be the HUSBAND of one wife". . . "HE must be one who manages HIS own household well". . . "HE must have children who are believers". . . "HE must not be accused of rebellion". . . "HE must have a good reputation", etc.

    I believe that women are expected to evangelize and witness and perhaps even teach others outside the church of God, and the Bible says that women should teach other women. But in the Church, God has ordained only men to teach and Pastor His flock. In our congregation only the men teach during the regular service but we open the pulpit to everyone for testimony service. We also have a interactive weekly Bible Study conducted by women for women.

     The truth is, everybody is under subjection to authority. A Church may have a number of Elders but they must still submit to their Senior Pastor. James told the Church that not many of them should attempt to teach because the teacher will incur a much stricter judgment. (Chpt.3:1) God offered His own beloved Son for the remission of our sins, let us humbly allow Him to place us in the Church Body as He wills.