Page 667 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

WOMEN PREACHERS

pastoral leadership.” Like many things adopted by this interdenominational divinity schools; at Yale and Harvard,
Convention, the resolution was almost meaningless. In a they’re more than half” (Ibid.). “U.S. women ordained to full-
September 1993 meeting of the SBC Executive time ministry in 1986 increased to 20,730 from 10,470 in
Committee, a measure to expel congregations for 1977, and represented 7.9% of all U.S. clergy, according to a
ordaining women was rejected unanimously. The same recent study by the National Council of Churches. ... The
proposal was rejected at the SBC’s annual meeting in survey showed that 84 of 166 denominations ordain women to
full ministry... (National & International Religion Report, March
July 2008. The Fall 1997 edition of Folio, the newsletter 13, 1989).
of Baptist Women in Ministry, reported that there are These facts are evidence of the apostasy of the of
1,225 ordained Southern Baptist women. Roughly 200 these last days. Men and women in the world, having
of the ordained women serve as pastors and associate rejected Bible truth, are confused about the most basic
pastors. things. Many men are trying to be like women in dress
The United Methodist Church has ordained women and manner, while many women are demanding the
since 1956 and today has 4,743 women “clergy.” right to be like men, to dress like men, to do the same
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has 2,419 female work as men, to play the same sports as men, to fight in
leaders. In 1979 the United Presbyterian Church, armies like men. They want more than equal pay for
forerunner of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., adopted a equal work; they are demanding a man’s place in the
resolution REQUIRING the congregations to elect home, church, and state.
women elders. This politically correct denomination also The Bible speaks too clearly on this subject for there
voted to ban the ordination of any man who opposed to be any confusion. The problem is that churches too
women clergy and gave such men 10 years to change often are looking to sources other than the Bible for
their minds or get out (EP News Service, June 21, 1980). guidance. God loves women as much as He does men.
So much for the supposed broadminded attitude of Women are as important to the home, church, and
Modernists. society as men are. In Jesus Christ, women enjoy the
The United Church of Christ has 1,803 female same spiritual position and blessings before God as men
leaders. do. This does not mean, though, there is to be no
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has difference in men and women in their appearance and
1,358 ordained women. roles. There is a basic truth which needs to be restated
As of 1994, 16 of the 30 independent Anglican in the church and society today: Men and women are
communions around the world have approved different! Men and women were made for different
ordination of women priests. The Episcopal Church in roles. The N.T. affirms that men are to be the leaders in
the United States, which approved womens ordination the home, church, and state. Women were not created
in 1976, has more than 1,000. The Episcopalians to rule these divine institutions; men were. The prophet
ordained the first Anglican female bishop in 1989. The Isaiah was condemning Israel when he said women
General Synod of the “mother church” in England ruled over them (Is. 3:12). In the church, according to
endorsed the concept of female priests in 1993. In 1991 the Bible, no woman is qualified to be a pastor or a
Queen Elizabeth showed her approval of all this by deacon or to hold any other leadership position over
appointing a woman as one of her royal chaplains in men. See 1 Co. 14:34-37; 1 Ti. 2:11-14.
Scotland. Some are saying that the commands quoted above
The Church of Scotland approved the ordination of were meant only for first century Christians or were
women in 1968 and now has 100 female ministers. only for the particular situation at Corinth. This cannot
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, though more be true for many reasons.
conservative than other Lutheran bodies, is beginning to First, Paul said that his instructions in 1 Corinthians
allow women to preach in regular worship services. A 14 are the commandments of the Lord (verse 37). As such
survey showed that about 1,000 LCMS clergymen they must be obeyed by all Christians and by every
maintain that the Bible is not opposed to the ordination church.
of women (Christian News, Feb. 13, 1989). “Leaders of Second, the Apostle said that the instructions of 1
Youth With a Mission (YWAM) appointed their first female Corinthians 14 are a test of spirituality. He said that
national director in March to oversee a 200-member staff in those who are truly spiritual must acknowledge that the
Switzerland. At a conference last year, YWAM founder Loren instructions are the very commandments of God (1 Co.
Cunningham spoke out strongly against what he called ‘cultural 14:37). Those who are rejecting the teaching of 1
bias’ against women. He also warned that God’s blessing might Corinthians 14 concerning a woman’s role in the church
be removed if YWAM did not commission female are proving themselves to be unspiritual.
leaders” (Charisma, July 1993). “Women now comprise at least
a third of the student population at the leading

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 667