Can a woman be ordained as a pastor of a Christian church?
While many denominations are ordaining women as pastors, it is not a biblical position. First Timothy 3, where the qualifications of elders and deacons are listed, is directed solely to men.
The apostle Paul has written, “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Tim. 2:12).
These verses have to do with the learning and teaching of doctrine. Keep in mind that women led in the mystery religions of Paul’s day which were sex orgies. Paul is cautioning women not to speak publicly with the idea of making an appeal on the basis of sex. Paul strictly forbade women to speak in tongues in the assembly. (See 1 Cor. 14:34.)
The apostle Paul speaks of the fact that there were some preaching Christ out of love, “knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel” (Phil 1:17). Then he mentions the other group who were preaching the gospel, but they actually were using it to hit at the apostle Paul. And he says, “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” (Phil. 1:18).
He said that some were preaching Christ “of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds” (Phil. 1:16). And you would think that Paul would be dead set against them. Then he says that there’s another group preaching Christ out of love; he would, of course, be for them. But surprisingly he says that he is for both groups, because both preach Christ.
The important thing to Paul was that Christ be preached, no matter whether it was done in pretense or by true motives. It is tragic that at times Christ is preached in envy and strife. He is still presented in that way today, but we can always rejoice whenever Christ is preached.
I am a little rough on female preachers because I believe their office is unscriptural, but, as I have said on several occasions, some women are preaching Christ better than the average male preacher. What is my position? I rejoice and thank God that Christ is being preached.
There are many wonderful Bible classes today, and they are largely being run and taught by women. Many of them are in places where there is nothing in the world but liberal churches, and these classes have been a regular oasis.
I like to tell the story of Dr. Ironside who was walking through a park in Oakland, California, when a woman was preaching there. One of his Brethren friends said to him, “Isn’t it a shame that this woman is here preaching?” And Dr. Ironside said, “It’s a shame that there’s not some man to take her place.” Now, that’s the problem. Thank God, Christ is being preached. That’s the important thing. We can rejoice today whenever the Word of God is given out.
McGee, J. V. (2001, c1990). Questions and answers (electronic ed.) (188). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.