Thanks for taking the time to respond, Tim. 
We actually don’t have (and haven’t had) any officially ordained church leaders. That just hasn’t been important in our context, not that we’re opposed to it. The EFCA allows a lot of freedom with each church, and they’ve told us clearly that each church can have female pastors or elders, etc. if they want to, but that they themselves will only ordain men. 

Hi Pastor Mark,

I find myself on the side of the debate that women should not be pastors based on my reading of scripture and have actually been considering your church. I noticed though that your denomination does not ordain women in my research. I don’t feel this is an issue we should divide over though. I did have a question though as I am considering your church, do you plan on ordaining women in the future and/or changing your church’s denomination?

Really ? Jesus brought intelligent women with him when he travelled, he had respect for women, not like some very wealthy pastors who dont practice what they preach and who show disdain for women.
JESUS loved women.
Women are equal intellectually to men, they bring a feminine touch to Gods word.
Some women are happy to be at home and thats fine but don’t knock women who are brave and womanly and love God and want to tell thee world about him.

Kristy…let me stop laughing before I comment…. Ok. I’m back.

“There is absolutely NO evidence in scripture that this belief about women is true! It’s definitely NOT how Jesus saw women. It’s a man-made cultural view.”

Then explain this evidence:

I Timothy 2:11-15: “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”

I Corinthians 14:34, 35: “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. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church”

1st Peter 3:1-6: “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”

Titus 2 3-5: The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

1 Peter 3:1-2: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

The ONLY way you could refute this EVIDENCE is to say God’s word is not accurate, or someone else got it wrong when penning it. I guess the Holy Spirit messed up when inspiring the men who did jot it all down as the spirit dictated? Now that would be calling God a liar. Because He said that the Holy Spirit did that. Sorry, but that’s the way it is. All else is…REBELLION.

Amen brother. But rebellion is the order of the day. They have no idea what they are doing and the consequences. Yet the bible is perfectly clear on this matter. Sad indeed.

Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.”

Julie…the same rebellion that Eve fell victim to along with Adam’s consent, is this very same cancer that has infected the Body of Christ. Women being thrust into areas of authority God expressly forbade, and for good reason. If you read the word as it is written you should have zero doubt of women not being ordained as ministers and/or teaching from the pulpit. Unfortunately, most want to explain this away with modern excuses of why God did not mean what He said. Same for homosexuality. Bible is more than clear on that subject, yet we act as if God did not mean “abomination”. How is it Julie you and some others agree with the author of this article? The author is one of those men that wants praise from women and those like-minded. The modern Christian. Just like the world thinks. Feministic roots. Typical Satanic tactics. Man is easy prey when not grounded in simple truth as the bible is clear about regarding this subject. No mystery. Just women want their way. It’s called Rebellion. The world has taught that foul family destroying doctrine of men are dumb, women rule. Now the Body of Christ has bought into it as well. “Men won’t lead, so we will”. Let’s face it, women want to be famous, feel powerful, etc., and be praised like anyone would in the world. And in this case…within the ‘Church’. Victims of Lucifers assault on all things concerning God’s Order. Men are afraid to speak out against it lest they get called all manner of names. “ism’s”. “ist’s”., etc. Accusations. Who is the “Accuser” Yes? A very clever devilish tactic. It is brilliant admittedly, yet foul. You praising this ridiculous effeminate article are no better. I suggest you ask the Lord what is the real truth in these matters. That would be wise. And FORGET what I say, any commentor here says, and any famous pastor or the author of this article says (Mark B.), and read the scripture of a woman’s role in God’s order. Most will justify everything with other out of context, unrelated scriptures to support their drivel, but God’s word is 100% accurate and you can trust it. None of these commentators is God. I’m not either. Use the KJV while you’re at it. Report back your findings. Thx. Take care.

GUEST?…YOU are in rebellion. Read scriptures below and tell us they don’t mean what God plainly says. Go ahead. Your arguments are worn out. It is called REBELLION. Satan has duped women (and men for allowing) yet again into rebelling against God’s ORDER. It does NOT matter if a woman is gifted, etc., God set His order in motion and it is to be followed. A woman’s gifts are to be used as God instructed. MEN are to lead, teach, etc., and even if you think “well they don’t, so we women will”? REBELLION is just the same. Stop the whining and read what God clearly has told mankind in how to conduct their affairs God’s way. Not our way.

I Timothy 2:11-15: “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”

I Corinthians 14:34, 35: “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. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church”

1st Peter 3:1-6: “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”

Titus 2 3-5: The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

1 Peter 3:1-2: Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Bottom Line…BETH GO HOME!! Do what the scriptures teach. It’s called GODS WORD…..NOT Man’s.

Grow up, Jack. How many souls have you saved? Or is putting people down on random blogs your version of “witnessing”? I weep for the souls who’ve encountered your foolishness.

Like John MacArthur ISN’T narcissistic? He – and other so called judgmental Christians have driven me away from god. They can’t agree on anything. Christians are Christianity’s worse enemy.