WOMEN PASTORS
Scripture References
Gender-Specific Parameters
But I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.
1 Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB)
Note: The context of these passages is the local church. Therefore, women are excluded from teaching and exercising spiritual authority over men as their pastors. Paul’s reason is that Eve sinned because she was deceived and believed Satan’s lies. Adam was not deceived but willfully sinned against God. The inference is that women are not to lead churches because they are more vulnerable and susceptible to spiritual deception, which could lead others astray.
Qualifications for Pastors
It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, skillful in teaching, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into condemnation incurred by the devil. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (NASB)
Note: A woman cannot occupy the role of overseer (pastor) in the church because she cannot be “the husband of one wife.” Furthermore, the entire description in these passages exclusively denotes men.
For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, namely, if any man is beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of indecent behavior or rebellion. For the overseer must be beyond reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not overindulging in wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, righteous, holy, disciplined, holding firmly the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it.
Titus 1:5-9 (NASB)
Note: A woman cannot occupy the role of overseer (pastor) in the church because she cannot be “the husband of one wife.” Furthermore, the entire description in these passages exclusively denotes men.