Three Premises on Women in Ministry

by Janet Peifer

In the 1970's while helping Donna to grow in her understanding of the Bible and in her relationship with Jesus Christ, she said to me, "Janet, you ought to be a  pastor."  To which I replied, "the Bible doesn't allow for that."  Ten years and numerous life experiences later, I was enrolled to begin undergraduate classes to earn a BA degree in biblical and religious studies. Prior to those initial college courses I had discovered two books that explained the traditionally held prohibition scripture passages about women with an intriguing openness. I mistakenly thought that the two books may have been among only a few books written to  affirm God's call to women in ministry. I delved into my studies with an urgency to understand the Greek biblical text written by the Apostle Paul and the cultural practices of the day in which it was written.

In hindsight, it would have been wiser to begin by studying Genesis, chapters 1, 2, and 3, but I mistakenly thought that the only passages which speak about women and leadership were those written by the Apostle Paul. I now teach and preach about women in ministry from the following three premises. 

Premise #1:  For the most part, there is little reason why persons in a congregation should believe that the scriptures do not prohibit women from pursuing and filling pastoral ministry and leadership positions in the church. Because, likely few persons in one's congregation: 

1. have heard even one sermon which would condone and affirm it;
2. have seen or read a book or an article condoning or affirming it;
3. have known any female pastor to serve as an exemplary role model;
4. have been exposed to responsible principles of biblical interpretation on the controversial passages about women, (i.e., studying the statements in context; understanding the difference between descriptive and prescriptive passages; carefully examining the general tenor or direction of scripture in order to arrive at the meaning or principles to be applied to the specifics, etc.)

Premise #2: The New Testament foundation for utilizing the gifts of every believer must rest squarely on Jesus (the accounts of his life and ministry in the gospels), on Pentecost, and on the founding of the first century church (the accounts in the Acts of the apostles). The Apostle Paul's writings must, therefore, be interpreted through the light of the gospels and Acts, and not vice versa.

Premise #3: We will be greatly aided in our contemporary culture if we come to believe that Jesus set the precedent; that is, set the direction in which people were to go in their relationship to women and the utilization of their gifts. The first century church leaders then worked at specific applications to the teachings of Jesus to give direction to new believers and to get wanderers back on track with Christ's teaching and example. One is on shaky ground to build doctrine for the 20th and 21st century church on the applications and guidelines of a newly formed and often floundering first century group of believers. Doctrine and practices regarding women in ministry must be built on the foundation of God's redemptive plan for humankind as fleshed out in the life, teachings and ministry of Jesus Christ. 

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