In the last year, the Southern Baptist Convention has come under fire for failing to endorse (and rightfully so) the concept of women serving as "pastors" in their congregations. There has been much discussion and division among them regarding this matter. Former US President Jimmy Carter has publically condemned the SBC for their position. A large number of churches have left the Southern Baptist Convention. Many of their congregations already have women serving in this and similar leadership capacities. There are two significant things I wish to address in respect to this matter.

The first has to do with the reasoning that is used in an effort to justify the use of women as "pastors." One individual from our area, speaking on a local television news broadcast stated that even though the Bible teaches women to be silent in the church, what is said must be interpreted for what it means today, the implication being, not what it originally meant, simply because the Scriptures are two thousand years old. According to a survey reported on CNN on Wednesday, 70% of people in the United States would agree with him. However, 1 Timothy 2:8-14 teaches the matter of women being silent in the church has nothing to do with culture. The apostle Paul gives the reason for this divine prohibition, namely Eve's role in the Fall. Thus it is not, as another stated, a matter of "the world having evolved way beyond women being seen and not heard."

However, for just a moment, let's assume the argument is true. Would these and others be willing to follow this reasoning across the board? What about the Bible's teaching on homosexuality? Have we "evolved" beyond that? Most Baptists oppose homosexuality since it is condemned in Scripture. However, if their argument regarding "women pastors" is true, they cannot oppose those who defend the practice of homosexuality, for the same cultural argument may be made against them.

Sadly, we have some in the Lord's church using the same kind of "reasoning." Thus, they are able to endorse women serving as elders, using instrumental music in worship, forming organizations, separate and apart from the church to do the work of the church, the purpose and place of baptism, fellowship with denominations etc. etc.

The second thing has to do with the prevalent notion among many religious people that the preacher is the "pastor." This notion is not supported by the teaching of the Bible. That there are pastors is clearly taught (Eph 4:11). However, when we look Bible, we seen those who are pastors are referred to as elders. When Paul speaks to the elders of the church at Ephesus (Acts 20:17,28) he exhorts them to "feed the church." The word "feed" is a translation from the Greek "poimaine," meaning "to pastor." Thus, the elders have the responsibility of pastoring the flock. In scripture, there is always a plurality of elders (pastors, bishops, overseers ­ all interchangeable terms referring to the same work/office). It is not a one-man pastorate as is seen in denominationalism. Again, the Bible, makes it clear that those who serve in this capacity are men who meet certain qualifications among which is that each is to be "the husband of one wife" (Titus 1:6). Obviously, a woman could not fulfill that qualification.

Brethren, the Bible is not a book that changes with the whims of men, but is "God-breathed." God's teaching is the same today as it was then. What God instructed the first century church, as a matter of doctrine applies to us just as it did to them. We have no right to change the constitution of Christianity, the Bible, to suit ourselves or in order to be "politically correct." Adapted from an article by Ken Chumbley