Dear Dr. Betters,

For the past two years, my family and I have attended a local church which is affiliated with a large popular denomination.  Our current pastor is biblically and doctrinally sound subscribing to a conservative literal view of scripture.  Last month we received word that our current pastor is being re-assigned and the new pastor will be a female.  I have never attended a church with a female pastor and was somewhat unsettled when the announcement was made.  Even though I felt I know what scripture said on the subject, I did not want to “lean on my own understanding” so I resolved to study all relevant scripture on the subject and prayerfully seek guidance from the Holy Spirit.  As the spiritual head of my family, I feel it is my responsibility to make sure that the church that we attend is a bible based and bible honoring church that is genuinely seeking God’s guidance and will.  Is it permissible for a church to be pastured by a female and if so how can this be resolved with 1 Timothy Chapter 2?  If it is not permissible then what option do I have other than to pull my family out of this church?

 Sincerely,

Chad

Pastor Betters Responds:

Dear Chad,

            It appears from what you have written that you already know that it is not permissible to have woman pastors. You seem to be aware of the Scripture passages that teach this.  Your main concern seems to be what action you should take in response to this. The question to address, then, is why so many in the church ignore verses like the ones in 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy, which seem to be so clear.  The catalyst for this is defective Scripture interpretation, which is summarized by the statement “the Bible contains the Word of God”, rather than believing that the Bible IS the Word of God.  People who hold this view will say that God can, and does, speak to individuals through the Bible, and it becomes the Word of God to them only when He does so.  This means that, in their view, the Bible isn’t always the Word of God. This makes it possible for anyone to dismiss passages with which they do not agree, including the ones about women pastors in the church.  I am sure you can see how this can easily lead to other problems.  When a denomination allows women to be pastors, it is probably just the tip of the iceberg.  It also likely allows gay pastors, and won’t readily condemn other forms of immorality.  They will also engage in out right heresy, challenging key doctrines like the bodily resurrection of Christ, saying that such doctrines are myths that were added later to the gospel stories.

            In light of all this, I would say that the option of leaving this church is one you should seriously consider.  I know that such a decision is not to be taken lightly, and won’t be easy.  I also know that the temptation is there to stay and try to change things, but should you?  Try to “take the pulse” of the rest of your congregation.  If most of them feel as you do, then staying may be an option to consider.  However, if your concerns are in the minority, you likely will be fighting a losing battle.  For what it’s worth, if I were faced with this situation I would not even consider staying.  The danger that I would be exposing myself and my family to false, and sometimes subtle, teaching would be too great in my view.  I hope that this helps you to make a decision that is pleasing to God. 

In His Grip,

Dr. Chuck Betters

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