Watch on Youtube

Can Women Be Pastors?

Q: Can women be pastors? Can women be given the title of pastor? I did search and the title pastor is defined as a person leading a congregation or church so my thinking is no. However, what if the title is that of pastor of children’s ministries etc? However that brought another question to mind – which is why give a woman the title of pastor and not as director? There are two groups of people – some say yes and use scripture and some say no and use Scripture. 

Paul in Corinth with Pricilla, Phoebe and a few others are all part of the thinking that women can be in authority and leadership. The argument from the yes side is that scripture is being taken out of context and that 1 Timothy 1 is a prime example of how women can be in authority (there is also question of who actually wrote Timothy 1) Acts 18 is also used as a stance that women can teach/be in authority over men.

Maybe part of the issue here is the definitions of what Pricilla was doing in Acts 18 vs what a pastor really does. But Phoebe was considered a deacon so that would assume she had some leadership capabilities. The flip side to the stance that women can’t be is how are we to mother/teach our sons? Are women allowed to be teachers? You can see the slippery slope down I am sure. 

Summary

In this episode, Dr. E addresses the often-confused conversation about women in ministry using both Old and New Testament passages. He explains the difference between the office of elder and the gift of pastor-teacher, clarifying they are not the same. In the New Testament, presbuteros (elder) and episkopos (overseer) are used interchangeably to describe a church office reserved for men. The role of pastor-teacher, however, is given as a spiritual gift, not an office, and applies more broadly. God clearly permits women to pray and prophesy in the church (1 Corinthians 11), yet Paul limits teaching authority (1 Timothy 2). Dr. E also explores how churches use titles like “pastor,” “minister,” or “director,” and why clarity matters for both leaders and members.

He points to Phoebe in Romans 16, as well as Timothy’s mother and grandmother, showing how women shaped ministry and faith. These examples affirm that women have always played crucial roles in church life, though not as elders. Dr. E concludes that men and women share equal value before God, but Scripture gives them distinct roles for order and faithfulness. This episode provides biblical guidance for navigating the challenging discussion with both conviction and grace.

Takeaways:

• Scripture affirms equal value of men and women while assigning distinct church roles.
• The New Testament reserves the position of elder/overseer for qualified men.
• The gift of pastor-teacher is not the same as the office of elder.
• God permits women to pray and prophesy but not to teach with authority over men.
• Phoebe and other women in Romans 16 show the vital role of female ministry.
• Clarity in church titles like “pastor” or “director” avoids unnecessary confusion.

Links Mentioned:

Can Women Baptize People in The Church?

Can Women Be Deacons?

What Does The Bible Say About Women Leading in The Church?

Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

Find more episodes of Ask Dr. E here.

If you’ve got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.