Philip Payne's related argument in 'Man and Woman, One in Christ': if we are equal in Christ, we cannot exclude anyone from leadership based on gender.

Philip Payne's argument differs from Groothuis's: his is about equality in Christ (salvation), not equality in nature. If women are equal in Christ, excluding them from leadership by gender necessarily violates that equality. Mike attended the ETS conference and saw Payne in person. Many egalitarians cite Payne as their primary influence.