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.