The role of women in church leadership and governance is a much debated topic in Christian circles. Those who believe women can serve as elders point to examples of female leaders in the early church, as well as biblical passages that suggest women held positions of authority. However, there are also verses that seem to restrict women’s leadership, leading many Christians to believe that the office of elder is reserved for men.
Let’s look at some of the key biblical passages regarding this issue:
Evidence for women elders
Romans 16:1-2 – Paul commends Phoebe, referring to her as a “deacon” and “benefactor.” Some take this to mean she held an official leadership position in the church.
Romans 16:7 – Paul sends greetings to Andronicus and Junia, calling them “outstanding among the apostles.” Junia appears to be a woman, which would make her an apostle.
Acts 18:24-28 – Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, privately corrected Apollos and explained the way of God to him more accurately. Priscilla was helping instruct and lead.
1 Corinthians 11:5 – Paul refers to women praying and prophesying in church, activities often linked to leaders and teachers.
These examples indicate women could hold positions of responsibility and authority in the early church. While the word “elder” is not explicitly used, they suggest women served in leadership capacities.
Evidence against women elders
However, other passages present a more restrictive view of women’s roles in the church:
1 Timothy 2:11-12 – Paul instructs women to learn quietly and not teach or have authority over men. This has been taken to prohibit women from preaching or having governance authority in church.
1 Timothy 3:1-7 – The qualifications for overseers/elders include being the “husband of one wife.” This implies elders were to be male.
Titus 1:5-9 – Similar to 1 Timothy, the qualifications given for elders specify that they are to be men.
1 Corinthians 14:33b-35 – Paul instructs women to remain silent in church and not speak, but rather to ask their own husbands at home if they have questions. This could restrict women from preaching, teaching, or leading.
These verses present a much more limiting perspective on what leadership roles in the church were open to women.
Different views on women as elders
Given these differing biblical emphases, Christians have come to different conclusions about what is permitted regarding women as elders and church leaders. Here are some of the most common views:
Only men can be elders
This view holds that the passages restricting women from teaching and holding authority over men prohibit them from serving as elders. Only men can serve in this capacity according to clear biblical teaching. Women are equal but have different roles.
Women can serve in any role except elder
This perspective still reserves the position of elder for men only, based on texts like 1 Timothy 3. However, it allows for women to serve in many other ministry and leadership positions in the church.
Women can be elders
Some Christians believe examples like Phoebe and verses granting women the ability to pray and prophesy in church mean there are no limitations on women serving as elders or any other leadership position except senior pastor. They take the 1 Timothy 2 passage as limited to a specific situation rather than universal.
Egalitarian/Full equality view
This view holds that passages restricting women were only addressing specific situations. In the kingdom of God and church, women should be able to serve in any position or role that they are gifted and qualified for, including as senior pastors and elders. There are no distinctions or limitations.
As can be seen, committed Christians handle these biblical texts differently. All agree that women are fundamental to the church and gifted by the Holy Spirit. The dispute is over what boundaries on ministry roles are intended in Scripture versus simply reflecting ancient cultural norms that are superseded in Christ.
Church history and tradition
Looking at how these issues have been viewed historically can provide another helpful perspective into women serving as elders or comparable church leaders.
In the early church, many prominent female leaders emerged, like Priscilla mentioned previously. There were also deaconesses who assisted with baptisms for women and other functions. Some of their descriptions sound very much like the office of elder.
However, by the second century, much more restriction set in. The church was starting to build a clerical class and solidify power in the hands of male bishops, presbyters, and deacons. Church orders from this time forward prohibited women from ordained ministry or taking on church roles viewed as having authority over men.
In the 16th century Reformation, some Protestant reformers like John Knox opposed female leadership over both church and society. The Church of England also affirmed an all-male clergy. Other major denominations followed similar patterns.
By the 20th century, women were able to vote and be ordained as clergy or elders in some Protestant groups like the Pentecostals, Baptists, Anglicans, and Reformed churches. But most prohibited women from senior pastor or elder until more recently. Even today, Catholic, Orthodox, and some Protestant denominations still understand elder/priest roles as being restricted to men based on tradition and their reading of Scripture.
Evaluating arguments from each perspective
When examining this issue, here are some questions to consider about the arguments coming from different perspectives:
- Do passages like 1 Timothy 2 reflect universal truth or a specific situation Timothy was addressing at Ephesus?
- How much weight should historical practice be given versus biblical examples of women in leadership?
- Does “husband of one wife” definitively exclude women from being an elder or simply describe a characteristic Elders would have since most were men?
- Does gifting and calling take priority over gender when it comes to leadership positions?
- Should passages about order and submission shape church polity, or do passages about mutual submission and equal access to gifts counter them?
This issue requires extensive biblical study as well as listening to wise voices from church history. It’s important to avoid reactionary positions on either extreme and to aim for conclusions that uphold the whole counsel of Scripture.
Navigating disagreement within the church
Sincere believers come to different conclusions about appropriate roles for women as elders or comparable church leaders. How can unity and fellowship be maintained amidst disagreement?
Here are some suggested principles for navigating controversy on this issue:
- Stay gracious and humble, avoiding an elitist or contentious spirit.
- Don’t impugn the motives of those who see things differently.
- Remember that godly character is more important than specific roles.
- Distinguish between church governance and ministry gifting.
- Grant freedom in areas of doctrinal dispute.
- Focus on proclaiming the gospel and serving those in need together.
This issue has room for added biblical and theological reflection. We should be charitable toward fellow believers who come to different conclusions after careful study. Unity around the gospel and mission should be kept as the priority.
Principles for deciding church leadership
Stepping back from the specific question of women as elders, Scripture provides some helpful principles to guide who should serve in leadership positions in the church:
- Character matters more than identity – Elders/leaders should exemplify Christlike maturity and godly character above all else (1 Tim 3:1-7).
- Gifting forms the basis for role – Roles in the church should correspond to spiritual gifting rather than be assigned simply on the basis of gender, ethnicity, etc (Romans 12:6-8).
- Humble servanthood defines leadership – Church leaders are to emulate Christ by exercising authority through self-sacrificial service, not top-down power (Mark 10:42-45).
- Men and women partner in ministry – Scripture presents men and women partnering together in advancing the Kingdom, with Christ as the head (Philippians 4:2-3).
- Order and decency matter – All things in the church should be done properly and in order, in a way consistent with God’s character (1 Cor 14:40).
We must aim for church leadership that reflects these principles and honors God above all.
Conclusion
The question of whether women can serve as elders continues to be controversial. Both perspectives have biblical cases that can be made. As the people of God, we must strive to handle His word faithfully and to test conclusions through thoughtful study and Spirit-led wisdom. Most importantly, we must act in love and unity on issues where Christians disagree. The gospel of Christ defines us more than church polity. By staying centered on Jesus and our shared mission for His Kingdom, divergent views on appropriate leadership roles need not divide His body.