Ministry News

More Women in the Pulpit, But ...

Details: Tuesday, 15 September 2009 10:24

Though female senior pastors remain a rare kind within Protestant churches, a recent study shows women leaders have made significant strides in the last 10 years.

According to a new Barna Group survey, the overall number of female senior pastors has doubled since 1999. From 1990 to 1999, only 5 percent of all Protestant pastors were women; today that mark stands at 10 percent. The average female pastor is 55 years old (up from 50 a decade ago) and more educated than most of her male counterparts. In fact, 77 percent of women in the pulpit have a seminary degree, whereas only two-thirds of male pastors have the same level of higher education.

Despite this, most women leading churches are still paid less than male senior pastors (average of $45,300 vs. $48,600). On the positive side, however, these 2009 averages mark a drastic improvement in narrowing the compensation gap between the sexes from 10 years ago, when the average male pastor made almost $7,000 more. According to the Barna study, one explanation for the current discrepancy in pay is the number of people each leads. The average male senior pastor guides an adult congregation of 103 members, while the typical woman in the same role leads 81 adults. [barna.org, 9/14/09]

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0 #63 Jeff Mills 2009-09-28 02:48

Sharon, thank you for clarifying exactly God's Word. We cannot argue or work around His Word which some people try to do to justify a woman being a pastor. Like you said, there are women pastors about but they are contrary to God's Word.

As for my comment about women being the weaker sex, I did not mean it to be a negative comment and I apologize if people have taken it that way, but just as you say it implies "fine China" and as we all know fine china must be treated with care.

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0 #62 Sharon Pleasants 2009-09-28 00:07

As for being the "weaker sex", I believe the words are "the weaker vessel", and the Greek implies the words "fine china", of which women are to be treated as such. The word "weak" here is not a negative, but a positive term, and people sometimes use it out of context with it's English meaning when the Greek meant otherwise.

And as for saying that God called a woman to pastor, that is a contradiction to God's Word - and not only is He NOT the author of confusion, but He does NOT contradict Himself - and when we are unsure what His will is for us, and believe that He has spoken to us and revealed His will, we must always compare it to Scripture, as it is (as Paul said) more sure than seeing or hearing. There are some well meaning, kind, hard working and dedicated women in the position of pastor - but that STILL does not mean that they were called by God, because that would mean He contradicted Himself, which He does not do.

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0 #61 Sharon Pleasants 2009-09-28 00:00

I wasn't going to post anything else here, but after reading the additional comments, I wanted to clarify just a few more things in light of the fact that I'm the only female who has spoken out against female pastors.

I base my beliefs on what the Bible tells me, because I believe that it just doesn't "contain" the Word of God, but that it IS the Word of God. The Word is very specific in saying that Pastors are to be the HUSBANDS of one wife and that women are not to usurp authority over men IN THE CHURCH. This does not mean women cannot serve in many other capacities within the church, and it says nothing about women being in places of authority in the secular world. It is the office of Pastor that is reserved for men.
As for Jeff's remark that women can't begin to do what men do, I would have to ask that he clarify that remark. I've seen women in all walks of life that did as good as or better job than some men in their fields. (to be continued)

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0 #60 Susan David 2009-09-27 13:04

Jeff, God had to speak to my husband. One day he came home and said, "We need to talk". He shared he was coming home from work & the Holy Spirit entered his truck. He felt His presence very strong. Then he heard the words, "I have called your wife as my mouthpiece & I've called you as the backbone. Support her in all she does." God had answered me by telling my husband what I could not. By the way, my children are grown, my husband helps with the work & he is one of the strongest men I know in every way. Jeff, you brag that you are stronger than women, & that you spend your whole life visiting the sick, etc, Oh how we need missionaries like you, & thank God you said, " I will". But, from your words, I'm sensing a lot of pride & yes, anger. Lynne's not the angry one, you should consider some deliverance. Pride comes before a fall. Some good advice, leave the choosing to God, He knows what He's doing. God bless you.

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0 #59 Susan David 2009-09-27 12:54

Jeff, you say it's not about the money, ok, then it's really about something else. What I'm hearing you say is women are weak & cannot do what a man can. Spiritually you are incorrect. You say women do not belong upfront. God has many jobs to complete. He is looking for those who will say, "I will." God called Barak, not Obama, in Judges 4, he told him to unite an attack on Sisera & the Canannites, but Barak did not accept the call, he was afraid, until Deborah, a Judge & prophetess, confronted his disobedience. Kathryn Kulman said she felt God had first called a male to her post, but like Barak, he refused. Jeff, God wants the job done. Many yrs ago God confirmed my office as a prophetess. I fought God & asked for a confirmation. He gave it through Dr. Albert Grimes while I attended Christian Training Center. When I married my husband 32 yrs ago, he had trouble believing me when I told him. God said, "Stop telling him, I will handle it." 3 mos later, (see next post)...

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-1 #58 Jeff Mills 2009-09-22 17:34

Quoting Susan David:

Let's ask ourselves some relevant questions here. Do our women pastors spend the same amount of time in the pulpit preaching? Do they spend the same time preparing their messages? Are they anointed by God as they give out their sermons? And do they love their flock as much as the male pastors' do? I would answer a huge 'yes' to all of these. Then they must be paid the same. Read Acts 2:17-18, the times certainly confirm this scripture is for today. Will we fight even against God? I coach pastors of both sexes and I can tell you first hand they are both equal. Let's join together and give them both our love AND support. www.clergyvideoclub.com

Another woman preacher going against Biblical teaching! Madam this is not about equal pay but about a woman's place which is not preaching from the front. You are the weaker sex and cannot even begin to do what a man can. Go back and take care of your family - or do you elave that to your husband?

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-1 #57 Lynne Gilham 2009-09-22 15:53

Thank you, Susan David.

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-1 #56 Susan David 2009-09-22 15:38

Let's ask ourselves some relevant questions here. Do our women pastors spend the same amount of time in the pulpit preaching? Do they spend the same time preparing their messages? Are they anointed by God as they give out their sermons? And do they love their flock as much as the male pastors' do? I would answer a huge 'yes' to all of these. Then they must be paid the same. Read Acts 2:17-18, the times certainly confirm this scripture is for today. Will we fight even against God? I coach pastors of both sexes and I can tell you first hand they are both equal. Let's join together and give them both our love AND support. www.clergyvideoclub.com

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-1 #55 Jeff Mills 2009-09-22 15:06

Quoting Lynne Gilham:

Jeff,
Aside from ministry, What about the women whose husbands have walked away from their responsibilities, whose husbands are lazy and refuse to work, whose husbands have died. These women have to work to support their children. There is no welfare free ride. These parents must work. They are supporting their children. Have some compassion.

Quoting Lynne Gilham:

Jeff,
Aside from ministry, What about the women whose husbands have walked away from their responsibilities, whose husbands are lazy and refuse to work, whose husbands have died. These women have to work to support their children. There is no welfare free ride. These parents must work. They are supporting their children. Have some compassion.

Now we are on a completely different subject! This is about women in the pulpit, not about husbands that have left their wives. Of course I have compassion. I spend my whole life and days visiting the sick and burying the dead etc.

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0 #54 Lynne Gilham 2009-09-22 13:49

Jeff,
Aside from ministry, What about the women whose husbands have walked away from their responsibilities, whose husbands are lazy and refuse to work, whose husbands have died. These women have to work to support their children. There is no welfare free ride. These parents must work. They are supporting their children. Have some compassion.

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