I fully support women in ministry, but I believe there are boundaries. And I will do my best to explain myself. After all, I’m a woman in ministry, and I find this question very applicable — not only for myself, but for any woman who serves the LORD.

Christ did incredible things to liberate women in His day.  There are many notable, remarkable women in the early Church who served in various roles even as there are today.  I believe precisely what the Word says regarding women, and I am in ministry myself. Paul made it clear there is no longer male nor female, Jew or Gentile, slave or free. His point was that all are equal in Christ. God is no respecter of persons with regard to sex, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

However, there are biblical roles and boundaries according to God’s divine order. I do believe women can teach, and they should, but this is where boundaries need to be appropriated. I do not believe women should overtly teach men, or make men their target audience. But for men to be reached by a woman’s teaching is not a bad thing, nor is it wrong, if it is initiated by the man receiving the teaching under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. With that being said, women should teach women.

I do not believe, however, that women should pastor a congregation. In saying this, in no way do I intend to disrespect the women who pastor today. The manner in which they serve is between them and God. To their LORD they either stand or fall. But do I personally believe in it? I’m sorry, the answer would be, No. I believe pastoral leadership is reserved exclusively for the man, and for obvious reasons which relate to headship. Regardless of equality, God has established a divine order: Christ is the head of man, and man is the head of woman. To put a woman as  the head of any congregation is biblically out of order. Many married couples are in dual pastoral leadership, which I believe is wonderful. This brings added unity, and is a beautiful representation of Christ and His Bride.

I do believe women can hold many positions of authority in the Body of Christ which they do wonderfully,  beautifully, and powerfully. And any woman in ministry needs an appropriate male covering or headship. The Lord Jesus (of course) but also a husband, pastor, father, or brother would be in order.