Should women submit to female leaders in the church?
Question:
I am a young woman. I was wondering, what do you think about women having to submit to female leadership or authority within the church? I feel at times that this is not something that is strictly required or expressed in words, but this is something that on more or less, silently, at least in the church I attend. Do you think this undermines the pastor's authority?
Answer:
I take it that in the church you attend, you have a female pastor. The problem is that this arrangement violates the teachings of God.
"But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God" (I Corinthians 11:3).
"Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence" (I Timothy 2:11-12).
"Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says" (I Corinthians 14:34).
In looking at the qualifications for positions in the church, all the leadership positions require the person to be a man (I Timothy 3:1, 12). If a woman has been made a leader in the church, then the church isn't following the teachings of Christ. Submission isn't the most important issue when you are dealing with incorrect practices.
Response:
Yes, you are right, she is considered a pastor in some respect, as she is the pastor's wife. I have read your articles about women's roles and I agree with them. I guess deep down I always knew it, but I have been afraid to admit it to myself. This has been going on for quite some time at the church. Thank you for your answer. I don't feel guilty anymore about thinking the way I do.
