Women in Ministry 3.19.23
You might have heard that Saddleback, the megachurch founded by Rick Warren in Southern California, has recently been ousted from the Southern Baptist Convention for naming a woman to its pastoral team. Throughout the years, Pastor Warren has urged Southern Baptists to overcome their differences and treat each other as “allies.” There seems to be a firm line drawn in the sand, however, that churches and ministries should be led only by men. It’s not just the Southern Baptists but many other churches have embraced a culture that men are the only ones allowed in leadership and are to maintain the power of control. It’s actually very sad, and in my mind, not supported by the Scriptures.
Old Testament history includes accounts of strong female leadership in many roles. Miriam was a prophet to Israel during the Exodus, alongside her brothers Moses and Aaron (Exodus 15:20). Deborah, both a prophet and a judge, directed Barak to lead the army of Israel into successful combat against Israel’s oppressors (Judges 4 to 5). Huldah, also a prophet, authenticated the scroll of the Law found in the temple and helped spark religious reform in the days of Josiah (2 Kings 22:14–20; 2 Chronicles 34:22–28).
The New Testament also shows that women filled important ministry roles in the Early Church. Tabitha (Dorcas) initiated an effective benevolence ministry (Acts 9:36). Philip’s four unmarried daughters were recognized prophets (Acts 21:8,9). Paul singled out two women, Euodia and Syntyche, as “women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers” (Philippians 4:2,3). Priscilla was another of Paul’s exemplary “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3,4)
From our humble beginnings in 1914, the Assemblies of God, has embraced a belief in egalitarianism, which is the doctrine that all people, regardless of gender, are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities. I can certainly tell you that after 37 years of leading WFA, we have always done better if both males and females were on our board of directors. Women bring a perspective that men simply don’t have. That’s probably why God declared, after creating Adam, that is was not a good thing for man to be alone. We need both genders to be whole and complete. That’s true in life, in culture, in corporate institutions, in government and in the church. I’m proud to say that I hired a female youth pastor back in 1995 who served us well for five years. Pastor Janice Hendricks also served this staff with excellence for almost 23 years as our Children’s Pastor and is currently one of our elected deacons.
Here’s our official position as members of the A/G: “After examining the various translations and interpretations of biblical passages relating to the role of women in the first-century church, and desiring to apply biblical principles to contemporary church practice, we conclude that we cannot find convincing evidence that the ministry of women is restricted according to some sacred or immutable principle. The Bible repeatedly affirms that God pours out His Spirit upon both men and women and thereby gifts both sexes for ministry in His Church. Therefore, we must continue to affirm the gifts of women in ministry and spiritual leadership.”