NPR has been reporting on this topic in the past few days1 and from my understanding this won't necessarily affect local congregations. Southern Baptist Convention website states : >Jesus Christ is the head of the local church—we are not. Each church is responsible before God for the policies it sets and decisions it makes. or Article XIV >Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. **My question is**: Will this have any other side effects/impacts besides changing the constitution and having fewer congregations part of the convention? Will this affect SBC relationship with Woman’s Missionary Union ? The SBC FAQ also states >The Convention recognizes the biblical language concerning the office of pastor. The BF&M statement says, “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the **office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture**.” The passages that assign the office of pastor to men do not negate the essential equality of men and women before God, but rather focus on the assignment of roles. making the whole topic is slightly confusing, i.e. is this vote to make this policy more official as part of the constitution and will there be fewer side effects then predicted? Related: - What is the biblical justification for permitting female pastors? - In a congregationalist church, who is in charge and what does this imply for women in authoritative roles? 1 See [this article](https://www.npr.org/2024/06/11/nx-s1-4996537/southern-baptist-convention-will-decide-whether-to-expel-churches-with-women-pastors) (6/11/24), [this article](https://www.npr.org/2024/06/12/nx-s1-5002004/southern-baptist-convention-set-to-vote-on-whether-to-ban-female-pastors) (6/12/24), [this article](https://www.npr.org/2024/06/04/nx-s1-4992298/southern-baptists-are-meeting-in-indianapolis-and-they-have-a-full-agenda) (6/4/24)

Sometimes my friends call me Father as a joke. It is funny because I am a woman and not a priest. We are wondering if this is a sin of irreverence.

The concept of "fivefold ministry" comes from Ephesians 4:11-13: > 11 And he gave **the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers**, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ [ESV] Are there any denominations that believe that the totality of the fivefold ministry is available to women? In other words, are there any denominations that believe that the existence of female pastors, female teachers, female evangelists, female prophets and female apostles is entirely within the realm of possibility in modern times? **Note:** for reasons for not conflating spiritual gifts and church offices (some make this distinction), see https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/90856/50422 ___ **Related**: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/90741/50422

It seems that that [1Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB)](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%202:12-14&version=NASB) says that women shouldn't be pastors. But there are many denominations that allow this. >[1 Timothy 2:12-14 (NASB)](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%202:12-14&version=NASB)
> **12** But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a > man, but to remain quiet. > **13** For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. > **14** And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being > deceived, fell into transgression. This idea also seems supported by the [command that women should remain *silent* in church (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2014:34-35&version=NASB) . What is the biblical basis for allowing women to preach or be a pastor? Specifically, what is the biblical basis of the doctrine of [ordination of women](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordination_of_women#Christianity) ? Also, how do the followers of this doctrine reconcile their beliefs with that of [1 Timothy](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Timothy%202:12-14&version=NASB) and [1 Corinthians 14:34-35](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2014:34-35&version=NASB) above?

Eh just something I thought of re movies / series like The Last Man on Planet Earth or Y: The Last Man . Case 1: 99% of males die. Then what? Case 2: Or idk doesn't have to be scifi: There could just be like a 90% drop for incoming priests sometime in the future. No males die. People are still Catholic. Just less interest in becoming priests. Then what?

If a woman believes that she has been called by God to a leadership position in the Church (e.g. teacher, pastor, evangelist, prophet, apostle, etc.), what would be the process for her to have her divine calling acknowledged, accepted and respected by the members of her congregation? Since the answer to this question undoubtedly depends on the denomination, what would be an **overview** of denominational guidelines for women who believe they have received a call from God to a leadership position in the Church and want the approval of their congregation to operate in their calling in a responsible manner? ___ **Appendix - Relevant NT passages on divine calling** > 11 **And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers**, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV) > 11 All these are empowered by one and **the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills**. (1 Corinthians 12:11 ESV) > 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 **And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues**. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:27-31 ESV) > 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, **the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”** 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:2-3 ESV)​ ___ **Related questions** - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/90598/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/83881/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/91350/50422

There is a lot of debate between Roman Catholics and Protestants on if women can be reverends or pastors within the church and have and maintain a leadership role. What was the early church fathers' views on females having leadership roles within the church? (i.e. reverends, priests)

On whether or not women can be preachers, know several who disagree: Voddie Bauchman, John MacArthur, Norman Geisler, John Pipper, Albert Mohler, Yago Martins (from "Dois Dedos de Teologia"), etc. Considering their background are Calvinist, Baptist and / or Presbyterian, is it perhaps one of the things that distinguishes them from Pentecostals? Or are there Pentecostals too that disagree with it?

Aside from the functions that both man and women can take in the Church (they can be lay members of the congregations- single or married, they both can be consecrated single persons, they can be religious brothers same as women can be religious sisters), there are some specific and honorable functions in Catholic Church designed only for men- whole decisive hierarchy of the Church. It seems, that even if we reject the idea of female priesthood, there is still no **"corresponding" specific function in the Catholic Church for women,** that only they could do in the Church. **Is it possible that Jesus handed over only precise functions only to the men, and had no precise idea for the women** in his Church, or is it rather the disciples and evangelists, who, as being men of these times, cared little for whatever concerned women, and simply ignored the role designed for the women, and focused on developing a patriarchal structure of the Church? Where will I find reliable resources to dig on that topic? What can be done in order to provide more recognition of female role in Catholic Church? I was raised in very conservative Catholic family, and for a long time I was simply accepting that it is the way it must be if it was always so. But since some this model disturbs me more and more and does not help at all to endure in catholicism. I would appreciate if some compassionate person wold be willing to help me in my struggles, I am not trying to fight anybody here, I smimply try to understand. I hope to find some understanding among you, thank you in advance

Is there any canon law in the Catholic Church about the role of women in the church and its possibilities to be groomed for Priesthood?

Understanding that the Catholic Church has its foundation in Judaism, which is a male based religion, how does she justify the fact that women cannot administer religious rites?

My friend in UK claims to have gone to a church where the priest is a woman. Are females given official priesthood in any christian denomination?

What is seen to actually occur if a female were to be the subject of laying on of the hands in ordination? The CCC 1577 states that "...the ordaination of women is not possible". What (in the Catholic view) would actually happen if a validly ordained Bishop attempted to ordain a female to ministry? Would the Holy Spirit refuse to flow through and into the women, thus not marking her indelibly with the spiritual character of a priest? Or would the spirit flow, but be disagreeable to catholic doctrine?

What is the biblical defence used by Anglicans to appoint female vicars/bishops? I thought the Bible was explicitly clear: >1 Timothy 2:12 I do not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. >1 Corinthians 14:34-35 34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

There are many verses in the New Testament that outline the role of women in the church. >1 Corinthians 14:34: Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. > >A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. (NIV, 1 Timothy 2:11-12) And 1 Peter 3. These verses seem crystal clear, yet many denominations, if not most, now allow women to participate equally in all areas of church government including leadership. Some of those same denominations use the Bible to justify not allowing homosexuals to participate equally in all areas of church government. The following New Testament passages deal with homosexual actions: >For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error (Rom. 1:26–27). > >Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9–10). > >Now we know that the law is good, if any one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, immoral persons, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine (1 Tim. 1:8–10). So, my question is, how can those churches follow some scriptures and not others? How do they explain it?

There is a common belief amongst mainstream LDS that the reason the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) started ordaining women with the priesthood is because they ran out of male descendants from Joseph Smith to lead the church. What's the real reason that the RLDS started ordaining women?

This question is not made to defame Biblical doctrines or teachings, just a genuine curiosity that no one I talk to has an answer for. Genesis 1:27 states "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him male and female created he them." So when 'man' in the singular is mentioned, I saw that it was the historical use of 'mankind' or 'human' and the Bible referred to both man and woman collectively in the singular (conf. Genesis 5:2). But this explanation became confusing considering 1 Corinthians 11:4-13. I don't even understand what _the image of God_ really means nevertheless. While it seems obvious that women are held in much higher respect in both the real world and the Bible than, say, animals and plants, there is also plenty of Bible to justify a subordination. And when proponents for the view 'woman are not made in God's image' are brought up, they bring up passages like 1 Corinthians 11:4-13 and 14:34, as well as the fact that every church traditionally forbade women from ordination. Ultimately, **I'd like to know what the Biblical basis is for the belief that women are made in God's image, in light of the restrictions set upon them.** Again, this is a real question not meant to defame anyone or belief and I am not advocating for any reform or anti-church political agenda. I am a God-fearing, albeit doctrinally-ignorant and confused, Christian.

Just last week in the UK, the Church of England voted on the concept of having women bishops (who would then be eligible for appointment to the House of Lords, but that's not relevant.) They voted no. On the morning TV show, "The Big Questions ", last Sunday, one of the pundits in favour of that decision stated that the church had "scriptural authority" to back the decision up. This went unchallenged, and so was not expanded upon. What is the scriptural authority behind this decision?

I understand that women within the Roman Catholic Church and I am guessing in the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches as well, cannot be ordained Priests. What I am wondering, is why they cannot be ordained as Permanent Deacons? Where is this written in Canon Law, and if it is, WHY? The traditional Deacon positions I can understand them not being allowed into, as it leads to the Priesthood. It would seem to me, that in this day and age of the great lack of Priests we see around our country (USA) and even around the world in many other countries, that this would an excellent way to ensure the Priests that need help would be able to get it. The Women would be doing the exact same duties and functions that Men Permanent Deacons presently do; so it is not like there are any need to change the rules regarding the positions, just the allowance to have women being able to serve as well. This seems to me to be a no-brainer for our Church, and would at the same time give women more inclusion in the Church functions. It could be open to both the laity and Religious women.

1 Corinthians 14:34,35 > Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to > speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to > inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; > for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. Romans 16:1 > I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a **deacon** of the church in > Cenchreae. One verse states the role of a woman in the church is passive, submissive. The second states phoebe is a "deacon". 1 Timothy 3 implies a deacon is a male (with reference to the fact that he must have one wife). What do these three verses say about the position of Women in the congregation? Other references welcome. Biblical answers only, please.