Can Women Be Called And Function As Pastors?

I’m naturally a peacemaker.

At some point, I was a people-pleaser who would sacrifice myself for others’ sake and call it peacemaking. But as I stand firmly in my late 50s, I find a little less stamina for some conversations, debates, and nonsense. Maybe it’s menopause—they say our lower hormone levels make us more sensitive to stress. Or the decades of biting our tongue have become intolerable. Or, for the first time, I see the simplicity of truth and have less patience for those who overcomplicate topics to make themselves seem significant. I don’t know the real reason for feeling safer for speaking up, but it’s new territory for me.

A few days ago, I posted something on social media without much thought. I usually get a few likes or comments, but not much. And I assumed my audience knows my story or the advocacy work I do for women who have been abused by the church. I won’t make that mistake again.

I woke up the next day to over 100 comments (not all pleasant). I opened the door for that because I was a little snarky and less eloquent or thoughtful than I normally am. I usually obsess over posts that may be read as controversial because I don’t want to be misunderstood (working on that with my therapist). Or I just don’t post at all because I like peace. But this particular post fell outside those guardrails, as I posted from my phone while waiting in a drive-through.

I decided to keep the post up and let the discussion evolve. When I had time, I replied to people, and we had healthy discussions.

I am not a theologian, so I don’t usually post about a doctrinal belief. But I did suggest they look in the comments for a link I shared from a man (Wade Burleson) who could explain further how eliminating women from the title of pastor wasn’t Biblical. (I’ll share some of that below.) Of course, most didn’t go read that, so all they had was my snarky post.

Interestingly, I saw a man post the same statement, and he didn’t get the pushback I did. Is it the algorithm or because he is a man? I don’t know.

I spent the whole day in God’s Word. I wanted to dig into this debate from a Biblical standpoint. I texted with a girlfriend who has written on the topic of women in ministry and does have a master’s degree in theology.

Now, I do have an opinion about women pastors, but it’s been years of study to get to this place. I want a Biblical view and to know the truth—and don’t want to make it say what I want it to say.

Before we get into the good stuff… here is the post that started this whole thing.

And this was part of the intro to the post:

Before people come at me …. There are more verses about women operating as shepherds (pastors) than the ones where Paul says he doesn’t permit a woman to speak or teach. If it’s so egregious, then why did Jesus never mention it? If this triggers you, then I suggest you study the Scriptures for yourself to try to see what I mean, and not on the word of someone who depends on you not understanding.

Clarification: I know soooo many amazing male pastors and have been blessed by them. This is not to throw shade at them. Because I work with victims of clergy ab*se, I’m highlighting the sad fact that this topic of limiting women pastoring, which is loving people in the name of Jesus, is up for discussion—which would further hurt women and silence their voice. The ab*sed need female pastors. I’m not a theologian, so I’ll post in comments the Biblical evidence and insight from a man who is. (Wade Burleson)

The next day Beth Moore said it much better: (taken from Church Leaders social)

I want to share the research I’ve found on women serving in pastoral ministry on this Substack. My motivation is that the greater issue (abuse in the church) is being overlooked because of a debate over whether women can be pastors. I want to see focus on topics that are harming the sheep, like sexual abuse in the church, how to vet those in close contact with the sheep, and how to take care of victims—instead of refusing more laborers in a harvest that is plentiful.

I also believe the SBC can address both subjects, and abuse doesn’t need to be “solved” before anything else. But it also can’t be ignored in favor of less urgent topics that do not harm the church.

Here we go …

Southern Baptist Convention and Women Functioning as Pastors

Here is his suggested amendment:

“It must not “act to affirm, appoint, or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer, such as preaching to the assembled congregation.”

When asked about podcasters, Mohler says:

“If she is functioning as a pastor, then she is assuming the role of a pastor, and I think that’s what’s implied here. And yes, I do see that as a problem. I don’t think the church should ever lean into offering confusion on this issue, but should lean into clarity. … If this person is functioning with other pastors as a pastor, the title really doesn’t matter all that much. That’s because the biblical conception of pastor is both the title and the function, the title and the role. And so avoiding the title doesn’t mean you’ve avoided the problem.” (source)

Author and Bible teacher Beth Moore criticized Mohler’s remarks in a post on X. (source)

“I’ve never pastored a church. Couldn’t pay me a jillion dollars to. Never been ordained. Have no desire to. The only paid staff position I’ve ever held in a church was as an aerobics teacher in our church gym. But how in heaven’s name a woman discussing a sermon on a podcast could be objectionable to some is beyond me, and what I believe to be beyond scripture.”

My concern with Mohler’s statement resides in the vagueness of “assuming the role of a pastor” and “functioning with other pastors as a pastor.” What exactly does it look like to function as a pastor? What are the things he is suggesting women can and cannot do?

This would be SBC-wide rather than determined by individual churches.

That amendment would leave female congregational members in a vulnerable position. If a woman has been abused by a man, she needs “pastoral care” from a woman and not a man. When I believed only men could pastor (which we will discuss the Greek word in a bit), I went to pastors for help when a man abused or harassed me. It was a horrible experience for several reasons: I was embarrassed, dismissed, downplayed, gaslit, slandered, and DARVO (deny, attack, reverse victim, offender). They couldn’t be both pastor AND church overseer because it was a conflict of interest.

• I needed a woman to talk to who held the authority of a pastor to stand up for me. If she’s not a “peer” to the pastors, she will experience the same things as I did and struggle to get true accountability.
• I needed someone I felt safe sharing my story with, and men were not.
• I thought I needed someone who was trained and endorsed as a pastor because that title carries weight and respect.

Wade Burleson, a SBC pastor who has been an advocate for accountability within the SBC churches and disagrees with Mohler’s proposed amendment, recently said,

“The very arguments used against creating a database of known clergy abusers are being flipped in service of Mohler’s amendment, he said. “We were told the Southern Baptist Convention had no authority to interfere in the affairs of local congregations because each church stands under Christ’s authority alone. However, in 2026, many of the same voices that rose to speak against my database motion wish to amend the SBC Constitution and dictate to autonomous churches who may or may not lead them. … Apparently, autonomy matters only when it protects institutional liability, but it disappears when gifted women teach Scripture, lead ministries, exhort believers, or administer churches.” (source)

Women in Seminary

Southern Seminary receives tuition payments from women who come to study the ‘functions of pastoring.’ But Al Mohler wants to prohibit them from functioning in pastoral roles in the local church. Which means they can’t be paid for the position they were trained in and educated for. How can a Seminary ethically take tuition for a degree when they know it will be worthless once they graduate?

Pastor / Shepherd Definition and Functions

The literal meaning of the Greek word poimēn (ποιμήν) is “pastor” and is also translated in English portions of scripture as “shepherd.” While the term appears 18 times in the New Testament, it is translated as “pastor” only once, in Ephesians 4:11. In all other occurrences, it is rendered as “shepherd,” referring either to literal shepherds or to Christ’s role as the spiritual shepherd of the church. (source)

When someone is pastoral, like a shepherd, it is demonstrated through care, oversight, compassion, instruction, mercy, and love. The Bible never states that duty is only designated for men.

Moral and Ministry Qualities Drawn from poimēn (ποιμήν):

• Sacrificial love (John 10:11).
• Vigilant protection (John 10:12-13; Acts 20:28-31).
• Intimate knowledge of the flock (John 10:14).
• Guidance into unity and mission (John 10:16).
• Teaching that feeds and matures (Mark 6:34; Ephesians 4:12-15).
• Accountability before God (1 Peter 5:4).

Burleson questions the specifics of a pastor’s functions on social media:

What is the function of pastoring? How about teaching, evangelizing, making disciples of Christ, baptizing, exhorting, encouraging, correcting, administering, serving in communion, acts of mercy, and all the other gifts of the Holy Spirit and/or actions that fulfill the Great Commission? In other words, ‘the functions of pastoring (shepherding)’ are roles for the entire Body of Christ, as we are gifted by our Head.’

He makes a strong case that giving an inch is the beginning of a mile:

Pretty soon, there’ll need to be a ‘list’ of what a woman can and cannot do in the SBC to avoid violating the Mohler Amendment. Lists such as:

• Can she speak about the Bible on a podcast?
• Can she sing a song that prophesies the Word of God?
• Can she participate in distributing the Lord’s Supper?
• Can she serve on a committee where men are present?
• Can she vote when her vote might overrule a man?
• Can she read the Bible from the platform?
• Can she share her testimony and read Scripture while doing it?
• Can she teach the Bible to men in a Sunday School class?
• And on, and on, and on, and on the list goes.

Servants

Let’s look at what God’s Word says about being a pastor in the context of a “servant.”

Wade Burleson shares: The word ‘pastor’ should be viewed as a ‘verb of service’ and not a ‘noun of status.’ It’s a practice, not a position; a service, not a status; a gifting, not a gender.

Note: The Greek word poimén is a noun.

Here are two examples of what Jesus said about service or servanthood:

1. Jesus said to His disciples, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your servant.’ – Matt. 20:25-27
2. “Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. ¹¹ The greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹² Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:10-11

This command is part of a broader teaching in Matthew 23:8–10 where Jesus warns against the prideful use of honoring titles like “Rabbi” (Teacher) and “Father,” emphasizing that Christ alone holds the ultimate authority as the Master, Teacher, and Guide of the church. He links the rejection of titles to the Christian virtue of humility. Even those who are in authority, or those who do teach, should approach those roles as servants, not as celebrities. (source)

A deeper dive into the word “instructors” reveals more about how it’s about more than titles, but about how they function.

“Instructors” in Greek is kathégétés or καθηγητὴς, and is a more nuanced idea of teaching because it is a compound word from two others: κατά (an intensifier here) + ἡγέομαι (to lead or guide). Thus, the meaning includes “teaching” in the usual sense, as well as moral guidance, and might be said to include “mentoring” with overtones of “encouraging” and “training”. (source)

Spiritual Gifts

I Cor 12 is filled with examples of how believers are given gifts without prejudice to race, gender, title, or prominence. Spiritual gifts, instructors, and authority (apostles, prophets, pastors— V28 ) are never stated to be for men only.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities (working), but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. – I Cor 12:4-6

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. – I Cor 12:11

Burleson posted on his Facebook:

• Teaching is never called a male gift.
• Exhortation is never called a male gift.
• Wisdom is never called a male gift.
• Administration is never called a male gift.
• Prophecy is never called a male gift.
• Mercy is never called a female gift.

Teacher

The Greek word for pastor or shepherd mentioned earlier, poimēn, has been translated differently in different portions of Scripture and in different translations. “Pastor,” “Shepherd,” and “Teacher” were hard to distinguish from one another because a Pastor/Shepherd was also a teacher of a flock.

The Greek text does indicate that the ποιμήν (“shepherd, pastor”) was synonymous with the διδασκλος (“teacher”). If they were not synonymous (rather, to be distinguished), the Greek text would have used δὲ διδασκάλους. (source)

Henry Alford commented,

Some, as pastors and teachers (from these latter not being distinguished from the pastors by the τοὺς δέ, it would seem that the two offices were held by the same persons. The figure in ποιμένες, if to be pressed, would imply that they were entrusted with some special flock, which they tended…and then the διδασκαλία [“teaching”] would necessarily form a chief part of their work. (source)

The question, in Scripture, becomes: In the NT did a person pastor/shepherd without “teaching”? According to my research on the word, as seen above, no. They are synonymous or implied. Interpretation and, therefore, application can work in two directions. If women can pastor, they can also teach. If they cannot pastor, they cannot teach.

Now I see why Al Mohler has such a strong opinion about women not pastoring. Possibly to him, it’s synonymous with teaching. And in Paul’s writing, he forbids that. More on that later.

But since we are looking for truth across Scripture, let’s look at examples that portray all three roles of pastor, shepherd, and teacher for women.

Examples of Women in Pastoral Ministry Functions

Yet, God exalted women much earlier. Especially when a man didn’t stand up and do his job. (Esther and Abigail)

Deborah was a prophetess and the only female judge of pre-monarchic Israel, serving during the 12th century B.C. Her story is primarily recorded in Judges chapters 4 and 5, where she is described as judging the people under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim. She played a pivotal military and spiritual role by summoning General Barak to lead 10,000 troops against the Canaanite king Jabin and his commander Sisera. Barak didn’t want to go unless she accompanied him. Then she prophesied that the honor of victory would go to a woman. The Israelites won a decisive battle at the River Kishon, and Sisera was ultimately killed by Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy.

Author and speaker Jenny Randle highlighted these examples of women sharing the gospel, teaching, leading, exhorting, and holding significant roles:

– Phoebe was a deacon in the church (Romans 16:1-2). The ESV version uses the word “servant,” but it also means a deaconess.

– Anna was a prophet, and the biblical text says she was at the temple and “began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Let’s recap: who did she speak to? ALL. (Luke 2:36-38)

– Priscilla was involved in Paul’s ministry. So much so that she got top billing in his letters often, he even referred to her as a “coworker in Christ.” She was significant in supporting early Christian communities and even taught proper theology to both men and women. (1 Corinthians 16:19, Romans 16:3-5, Acts 18:24-26, Romans 16:3-5)

– Women were prophets. (Luke 2:36 and Acts 21:9)

– Jesus instructed Mary Magdalene to preach of his return after his resurrection. (John 20:11-18)

– Women told the apostles about Christ after his resurrection. (Luke 24:9-11)

More examples:

Pricilla taught Apollos: “He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Acts 18:26

The Samaritan woman spread the gospel to her whole town: “Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony,” John 4:39

Junia was called “outstanding among the apostles.” Romans 16:7

Opposition To Women Pastors

I was saved in a Baptist church and discipled in a fundamentalist church that believed women couldn’t be pastors, teach men, or lead. For me, this area of study was important because I felt God calling me to teach, write, and coach. I didn’t want to disobey God.

This list was taken from Wade Burleson’s Facebook post on May 24, 2026. I cannot write it better, and I think it’s important for people to hear it from a male theologian and pastor of an SBC church. He addresses the most common objections to women in pastoral roles or ministry leadership.

1. 1 TIMOTHY 2:12 – “I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man.”

This is the verse most often quoted. But context matters. Ephesus was saturated with false teaching. Women in that culture were largely uneducated and particularly susceptible to deception through the cultic influence of Artemis worship. Paul’s concern in 1 Timothy is false doctrine, not female chromosomes. The Greek word translated “exercise authority” is authentein, a rare term carrying the idea of domineering or abusive control. Paul prohibits abusive usurpation, not Spirit-gifted teaching. Otherwise, Paul contradicts himself, because elsewhere women prophesy publicly in church gatherings.

2. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:34 – “Women are to keep silent in the churches.”

If taken absolutely literally, women could not sing, pray, confess Christ, or speak at all in worship. Yet only three chapters earlier, Paul explicitly acknowledges women praying and prophesying publicly (see 1Corinthians 11:2-16). The context is disorder. People were interrupting one another. Tongue speakers were chaotic. Prophets were talking over each other. Questions were being shouted during worship gatherings. Paul commands silence repeatedly in the chapter, not only to women but also to tongue speakers and prophets when appropriate. The issue in I Corinthians 14:34 is orderly worship, not permanent female muteness.

3. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:3 – “The head of a woman is man.”

The Greek word “head” does not necessarily mean ruler or authority. In many Greek contexts, it means “source” or “origin,” like in English, “the head of the river” is the “original SOURCE of the river.” Paul immediately grounds his argument in creation order, then astonishingly balances it by declaring: “In the LORD, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.” – I Corinthians 11:11 Mutual dependence destroys hierarchical supremacy. This passage in 1 Corinthians 11:3 actually moves Christ’s Church toward male/female reciprocity, never male domination.

4. EPHESIANS 5:22 – “Wives, be subject to your own husbands.”

The verse before it (Ephesians 5:21) says: “Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.” Mutual submission is the controlling principle given by the Apostle Paul. Christian marriage is not male domination. It is a reciprocal sacrifice modeled after Christ, who laid down His life for His Bride. A husband who uses Ephesians 5 to establish power over a woman understands neither Christ nor Paul.

5. QUALIFICATION FOR ELDERS in 1 TIMOTHY 3: Paul says an overseer should be “the husband of one wife.”

Some insist this settles the debate permanently. However, by that logic, unmarried men could never serve. Paul himself would be disqualified. The phrase is an idiom that means “morally faithful and above reproach.” Literally, it is character language (’a one-woman man’), not a universal female exclusion formula.

The New Testament consistently emphasizes spiritual maturity, character, humility, and gifting for servant leadership.

Never gender.

Overseer

I Tim 3:1-7, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

The Greek word for overseer is “episkopos” or ἐπίσκοπος and has also been translated into English as “bishop” or “guardian.” (Acts 20:28, Phil 1:11, I Tim 3:2, Titus 1:7, 2 Peter 2:25)

The definition for overseer in Bible Hub is “One of the co-superintendents entrusted with the well-being of a local assembly or of assemblies within a city or location {literally or figuratively}.” A man called by God to literally “keep an eye on“ His flock (the Church, the body of Christ), i.e., to provide personalized (first-hand) care and protection.” It is also like a person looking intently for the end of the race to see who won.

This sounds very different from a pastor or shepherd. If overseer was meant to be the same, it would’ve been written with the word poimēn. But it was not.

Another word commonly used in connection with Overseer is Elder. Presbuteros or πρεσβύτερος. It means “properly, a mature man having seasoned judgment (experience); an elder.” In the Greek Scriptures, the word refers either to an older person, to members of the Jewish ruling body, or to the Spirit-appointed office-bearers who shepherd Christ’s church. The term appears 66 times and serves as a vital link among Israel’s tribal leadership, the synagogue system, and New Testament congregational life. The feminine plural, presbyteras, occurs in 1 Tim 5:2. It refers to aged women, i.e., not women with an official church office or title.]

Functions: Shepherding, Teaching, Oversight (source)

1. Shepherds – “Be shepherds of God’s flock…watching over them” (1 Peter 5:2).
2. Teachers – They must “hold firmly to the trustworthy word” (Titus 1:9).
3. Decision-Makers – They participate in discipline (Matthew 18 principle applied; Acts 15 example).
4. Intercessors – “Is anyone sick? Let him call the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him” (James 5:14).

When someone is sick, who do we call to pray with them? The elders. Not the pastoral care or volunteer team. That makes it a bit more complicated when there are a lot of needs, like in a mega-church, right?

1 Timothy 3:2 states that a man needs to be the husband of one wife. That suggests that elders can only be men. But I’ve also heard people smarter than me say that means the elders should only be men. I don’t have enough room to unpack that in this post.

Conclusion

I am not a theologian. I am a regular woman with a heart for studying Scripture and obeying God. I’m grateful for tools that let me do that. My heart is to find the facts and share them because I love Jesus, want to honor Him, and be like Him to the lost world.

Why is this important to me?

There have been so many times I was manipulated and lied to by men in the ministry for their own gain. This isn’t new; it’s been happening for generations. Just like people were lied to by the Catholic Church, which caused Martin Luther to post his 1517 “Ninety-Five Thesis.” I believe we need to study the Bible ourselves, understanding the Hebrew and Greek cultural contexts and audiences. We need to discuss in a healthy way. Support each other’s curiosity and learning process. Jesus loved it when Mary (Martha’s sister) did that.

If you read my other posts, you’ll learn I’ve been abused by religious men. I have learned to forgive at the deepest levels, and I still love God. I’m an advocate for victims of spiritual abuse and religious trauma. I’m a trauma-informed coach (PCC with the ICF), and I teach and train others to coach in a prayer model I created. My ministry offers many free resources for those who are healing or helping others heal. Many women can’t receive this kind of ministry from male-only pastors. This is why I’m passionate about knowing the truth—that is what sets us free.

Let’s sum this up:

When we hear that the person ministering to God’s people must be a male pastor, teacher, or elder, we need to remember that these are distinct gifts, roles, titles, and functions. We see the evidence in the different Greek words. Maybe we’ve combined them into one and unintentionally sidelined half of the body of Christ?

Pastoring and shepherding come from the same Greek word and are not designated exclusively to men. Teaching was always associated with this work. Women should be able to do those servant functions and hold titles that reflect their work. We see many examples in the Old and New Testaments where God used women in pastoral positions based on their function. Jesus and Paul praised women in their leadership roles. Jesus wasn’t into titles. We learned in Matt 23 that He actually didn’t like them. He never said women can’t pastor people. He encouraged us ALL to go and share (teach) the Gospel and disciple the nations.

The only reference I could find designated solely for men was the office of the elder/overseer. They also function as pastors and teachers (among other qualifications). And that is the subject of debate among the most respected scholars. I’d love to read your research (not opinion) or references to studies on this topic in the comments on this. Be respectful, please.

It seems plausible to me that women can function as pastors/shepherds and teachers. And in order for the congregation to know they’ve been esteemed, trained, and qualified, we give them the title of pastor.

Or do we eliminate titles completely (since Jesus didn’t like them)? What if we call all leaders who tend to the care of the flock brothers and sisters?

What if we just did the work of sharing the Gospel with all humility? Bind up the brokenhearted, minister to the widows and orphans, and heal the sick. I’m concerned there is too much jockeying for position, influence, and authority between “us” and “them,” and it’s keeping our eyes off the important things. There is so much to do before Christ returns.

“Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.” 2 Tim 2:14

What if we are at another crossroads like Martin Luther in 1517? Which side of history would we be on?

I welcome your thoughts and comments below.

UPDATE: June 2, 2026

Al Mohler updated the Amendment to change one word from “such as” to “specifically.” That means, he is stating he only wants to restrict women from preaching from the platform to the congregation.

Here is his new wording:

“6. does not act to affirm, appoint, or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer, specifically preaching to the assembled congregation.”

Here lies the problem:

• The phase “assembled congregation” is open to interpretation. How many people make up an assembly? A Bible study, a small group, or other meetings? What about missionaries?
• How is the platform defined? Can women preach from the ground, just not from a stage? I’m not being troublesome. I’ve heard this was the case before.
• What defines preaching? Can women read the Word when men are present and share how God transformed their lives by it?
• What functions define pastor/elder/overseer? Without specifics, people are left guessing, and without clear expectations, it’s open to debate and division.
• He is still putting pastor/elder/overseer as if it’s one function and title.“Pastor/elder/overseer” are three different words and functions. My concern is that it puts these roles on the same level, even though Biblically, they were not meant to be.