The Truth About Women Pastors That No One Wants to Admit

Apr 9

Many believe that the Bible permits women to serve as preachers, pastors, elders, deacons, and more. But is that really what the scriptures teach?

The History of Women Serving as Pastors

Today, many churches ordain women as pastors. Some of the largest denominations that do this include the United Church of Christ—not to be confused with the Church of Christ.

Here are some historical milestones:

1853 – The United Church of Christ ordained its first woman minister.
1888 – The Disciples of Christ ordained their first female minister.
1914 – The Assemblies of God USA began ordaining women into ministry.
1956 – In May, the Methodist Church voted to allow women to become full clergy members.
1956 – Margaret Towner became the first female pastor in the Presbyterian Church USA.
1970 – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to allow female ordination.
1970 – The Episcopal Church voted to allow the ordination of women.

Other denominations that ordain women include the Church of the Brethren, Mennonite Church USA, American Baptist Church USA, Alliance of Baptists, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, National Baptist Convention USA Inc., Progressive National Baptist Convention, General Lutheran Church, and many more.

You may have even heard of some prominent women in ministry, such as Paula White, Victoria Osteen, Bobbie Houston, and Joyce Meyer.

With so many churches ordaining women, it's important to examine the reasons they give for the practice and see whether or not it holds up biblically. Below are six of the most popular arguments in favor—and a biblical response to each.

1. Galatians 3:28 Teaches Equality in Christ

The Argument:

Galatians 3:28 says,

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 2:28 | ESV)

Some interpret this verse as establishing gender equality in all aspects of Christian life, including leadership.

The Response:

Context matters. Galatians 3:28 speaks about salvation, not church leadership. It affirms equality in salvation, not the erasure of God-given gender roles. Paul, the same author, explicitly teaches in 1 Timothy 2:12–14 that women are not to teach or exercise authority over men in the church:

“I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” (1 Timothy 2:12-14 | ESV)

2. Women Held Leadership Roles in the Bible

The Argument:
Several women in Scripture held leadership roles:

Deborah (Judges 4–5): A judge and prophetess.
Priscilla (Acts 18:26): Taught Apollos with her husband Aquila.
Junia/Junias (Romans 16:7): Described as "outstanding among the apostles."
Phoebe (Romans 16:1–2): Called a "servant" or "deaconess."
Mary Magdalene (John 20:17–18): First to announce Christ's resurrection.

The Response:

Deborah operated under the Old Covenant, during a time when "everyone did what was right in their own eyes" (Judges 21:25). Her leadership was exceptional, not normative. She even acknowledged that Barak should have led (Judges 4:6–9).
Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos privately, not in a church assembly or a mixed-gender class. The extent of Priscilla’s teaching role isn’t specified.
Junia in Greek may be either masculine (Junias) or feminine (Junia), depending on translation. When we encounter challenging passages, it is wise to let the more clear passages interpret the more confusing ones, and we must follow Peter’s warning about Paul’s writings in 2 Peter 3:16. The text says Junia was known among the apostles, not necessarily an apostle. Because there is no indication that there were any female apostles in Scripture, and because we have many verses that make it clear that God desires male spiritual leadership, we must conclude that Junia was not an apostle.
Phoebe is called a diakonos, which can mean servant or deacon. However, 1 Timothy 3:12 states deacons must be "the husband of one wife," implying the role is male. We must conclude then, that Phoebe served in the church, but not in the official role of deacon.
Mary Magdalene shared the news of Jesus’ resurrection, but she wasn’t functioning in a pastoral or teaching office. Simply relaying what Jesus told her does not make her a pastor.

These examples don’t establish a precedent for women in church leadership roles.

3. Paul’s Prohibitions Were Cultural

The Argument:
Some say Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 14:33 and 1 Timothy 2:11–12 were cultural, reflecting the lack of education among women in the early church. They argue that today women are often as well trained, or even better trained, than men, so these instructions no longer apply.

The Response:
Paul’s reasoning isn’t cultural—it’s based on the order of creation. In 1 Timothy 2:13–14, Paul roots his argument in Genesis:

“For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” (1 Timothy 2:13–14 | ESV)

This is a timeless truth based on creation, not on first-century culture.

4. The Priesthood of All Believers

The Argument:
1 Peter 2:9 calls all believers a "royal priesthood" and are to “proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Therefore, both men and women should be able to serve as leaders.

The Response:
The "priesthood of all believers" refers to direct access to God through Christ, not to leadership roles in the church. Women are to proclaim God's excellencies, but within their biblical roles—teaching children, other women, and men privately.

5. Spiritual Gifts Are Not Gender Specific

The Argument:
God gave spiritual gifts—like prophecy—to both men and women. Examples include Philip’s daughters and the women of 1 Corinthians 11. Peter also quotes Joel in Acts 2:17, saying:

“…your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…” (Acts 2:17 | ESV)

The Response:
While women did receive prophetic gifts, and some women today are extraordinarily talented preachers and teachers of God’s word, that does not negate God’s divinely given gender roles. . 1 Corinthians 11 and 14 show that even prophetesses were to be silent in the assembly. Women who have talents for teaching or preaching should utilize their gifts when and where God has specified for teaching and edifying other women and children (Titus 2:3-5), but not to teach or exercise authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12).

6. The Great Commission Is for Everyone

The Argument:
Matthew 28:18–20 commands all disciples to make disciples, baptize, and teach. Therefore, women should be allowed to lead and teach publicly.

The Response:
Yes, all Christians are called to evangelize. But that doesn’t mean all are called to preach in public worship, teach a mixed-gender Bible class, or lead a congregation. Private evangelism and public church leadership are not the same. Women are to teach and disciple, but not serve in authoritative leadership roles like pastors or elders.

Final Thoughts

Women play an essential and powerful role in the church. I imagine that many of us wouldn’t be Christians today without faithful women who served God.

But according to Scripture, church leadership and mixed-gender teaching are roles reserved for men. The arguments in favor of female pastors rely on misinterpretation, contextual confusion, or dismissal of clear biblical instruction.

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If you're wondering what ways God does desire for women to serve in the church, you may be interested in this article that discusses 5 exciting ministries that every woman should know about.