Why I Still Believe Pastors and Elders Should Be Men

In light of the recent Southern Baptist Convention meeting and the renewed discussion surrounding women pastors, elders, and church leadership, along with the media attention this topic continues to receive, I felt compelled to respond.

Let me begin by saying what this article is not.

This is not an attack on women. This is not a statement that women are less valuable, less gifted, less intelligent, or less capable than men. This is not an attempt to diminish the incredible impact women have had on the church throughout history and continue to have today.

Some of the most faithful believers I know are women. Some of the strongest prayer warriors I know are women. Some of the most effective disciplers, ministry leaders, teachers of women and children, and servants of Christ I know are women.

• The issue is not value.
• The issue is not gifting.
• The issue is authority.

The issue is whether we will submit to God’s design for His church, even when it runs contrary to the culture around us.

As a pastor, my responsibility is not to tell people what they want to hear. My responsibility is to teach what God’s Word says. If Scripture is our final authority, then our opinions, experiences, traditions, and cultural preferences must bow before it.

That is where this conversation begins and ends.

What Does the Bible Say?

The New Testament consistently teaches that the offices of pastor, elder, and overseer are held by qualified men.

Paul writes:
“An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife…” (1 Timothy 3:2, LSB)

Again, in Titus:
“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 above reproach, the husband of one wife…” (Titus 1:5-6, LSB)

Some argue that these are merely cultural statements. The problem is that Paul never presents them as cultural preferences. He presents them as qualifications for church leadership.

The clearest passage is found in 1 Timothy 2:
“But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.” (1 Timothy 2:12, LSB)

Now before some stop reading, notice what Paul does next. He explains why. And his reasoning matters.

Paul does not appeal to first-century culture. He does not appeal to local customs in Ephesus. He does not appeal to education levels or social conditions.

Instead, he appeals to creation itself.
“For Adam was formed first, then Eve.” (1 Timothy 2:13, LSB)

Paul roots his teaching in God’s design established before sin entered the world. That means this is not a cultural issue. It is a creation issue.

Equal in Value, Different in Roles

One of the greatest mistakes we make in modern discussions is assuming that different roles mean different worth.

The Bible never teaches that:

• Men and women are both created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).
• Men and women are both heirs of salvation (1 Peter 3:7).
• Men and women are both one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
• Scripture teaches absolute equality in value and dignity.
• 
  

At the same time, Scripture teaches distinctions in responsibility.

• The husband is called to lead his family.
• The wife is called to support and help her husband.
• Pastors and elders are called to lead the church.

These distinctions are not the result of sin. They are part of God’s design.

Just because our culture dislikes distinctions does not mean God has abandoned them.

What About Deborah, Priscilla, Phoebe, and Junia?
These names are often brought up in discussions about women pastors.
I am thankful for every one of them.

• Deborah was a judge in Israel.
• Priscilla helped disciple Apollos.
• Phoebe faithfully served the church.
• Junia was highly regarded among believers.

But none of these women are identified as pastors or elders. None of these examples overturns the direct teaching of 1 Timothy 2, 1 Timothy 3, or Titus 1. What they do demonstrate is that God has always used women in significant and powerful ways. The church should celebrate that.

What Does Church History Tell Us?
For nearly two thousand years, Christians from every corner of the world understood these passages in the same way.

The early church fathers understood them this way.

• Augustine understood them this way.
• Chrysostom understood them this way.
• The Reformers understood them this way.
• Martin Luther understood them this way.
• John Calvin understood them this way.

Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Anglicans, and countless others all held to male eldership for centuries. The idea that women should serve as pastors and elders is not the historic position of Christianity. It is a relatively recent development.

That fact alone should at least cause us to pause before assuming the church somehow misunderstood these passages for nearly twenty centuries.

The Real Issue
In my opinion, this debate is ultimately not about women.
It is about authority.

Will we allow Scripture to define the church?
Or will we allow culture to define the church?

Every generation faces pressure to reinterpret the Bible according to the values of the moment. But God’s Word has not changed. His design has not changed. His wisdom has not changed.

The church does not have the authority to rewrite what God has established.

When We Ignore God’s Design

I have watched this happen repeatedly.
When churches begin setting aside clear biblical teaching in one area because it feels uncomfortable or unpopular, they rarely stop there. Soon other doctrines are questioned.

• Biblical sexuality is redefined.
• Marriage is redefined.
• Gender is redefined.

The authority of Scripture itself begins to erode. The issue is never just one doctrine. It is whether God’s Word remains our authority.

Whenever humanity believes it can improve on God’s design, the results are never better than God’s original plan.

• That is true in the home.
• That is true in the church.
• That is true in society.

God’s commands are not given to restrict us. They are given to bless us.

My Conclusion
I believe women are indispensable to the church.

• I believe women should teach.
• I believe women should disciple.
• I believe women should evangelize.
• I believe women should lead ministries.

I believe women should use every spiritual gift God has entrusted to them within the framework He has established. But I also believe Scripture is clear that the office of pastor, elder, and shepherd is reserved for qualified men.

Not because men are superior. Not because women are less capable. Not because of tradition. But because that is the pattern God established in His Word.

The question before us is simple.
Do we trust God’s design enough to obey it?

As for me, I believe God’s way is always better than our way. And when the church humbly submits to His design, both men and women flourish exactly as He intended.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Jody