John

In response to mentanna’s reply, I would like to state that I, too, have heard some people state that women gifted as pastors can serve in children’s ministry, women’s ministry, etc…

That seems to me like a very nice way of being manipulative!

Sure, I agree that women are inherently more nurturing, especially towards children, but I don’t see that limitation to the gift in the New Testament.

It seems to me that a gifted pastor sincerely cares for people and wants to see them thrive and grow, much like a shepherd tends the flock. This can be done at any number of levels and does not need to be in an official or ordained capacity. I have said before that if churches could see past the lone Pastor mentality and look for and release the gifted pastors in any given church body that the church body would be far better served…and I would expect that both men and women would be gifted to do so.

Hi Cheryl,

Let me state out the gate that I am not a complementarian.

I think you take a very wise tack in pressing the fact that women are gifted as teachers. In short, I believe that modern churches have muddied the waters in making ministry an office, especially as it relates to Pastors. Pastoring is a gift, not an office, and so the crux of the issue, is that many churches these days place an undue amount of practical authority on the shoulders of the Pastor, which in turn forces their hand to push Paul’s Timothy passage on authority further than he did himself.

So, I don’t see a New Testament warrant for a teacher as having authority. A gifted teacher persuades, dialogues and instructs in many a different way as guided by the Spirit. Yes, they are held accountable for what they teach, but I don’t see any inherent authority in the New Testament practice. (cf. Priscilla in Acts 19)

Great post!