I actually watched this video before coming to this site. I also checked out ChristianityToday to see how to write an article for the magazine or website. Before I wanted to submit my query I came here and found this video again! I am very interested in what else will be showing up regarding this issue! I am a women and I have been called by God into ministry and leadership.

Interesting to say the least. A few thoughts on the subject. First, this is not a few hundred years, it dates back to the first century with the beginning of the church. It is an issue that predates the church in both the nation of Israel and in the culture of the East.

Second, I do not buy that we are missing half of what God wants to say. In fact, this is a common statement that is more hyperbole than fact. Half? Really? Just because it is said by a male rather than a female.

Finally, for many places the issue of women in ministry is not as much about women being in ministry as it is about women holding the role of senior pastor.

I am also very interested in what will be showing up here.

Thanks for posting this. I love how she communicated in such a gracious and humble way the gift of shared leadership where the body can engage in both men and women being who God made them to be. This doesn't take away from a woman being a woman or fulfilling her role as a woman. I wish more people saw the benefits of women leading rather than seeing it as offensive or threatening.

I always get uneasy when people start talking about the justification of women in ministry is that they bring something unique as women that is different and needed, because when you push people on what they mean by that they usually say something about stereotypical gender characteristics like, well women tend to lead by talking with people and getting consensus rather than with authority like men do, or women are more compassionate. What about women who are characteristically more "masculine" does that mean there is no justification for them being pastors?
There are women pastors because God has called them period. There is not other justification, not woman's rights, or what women bring to ministry or anything else justifies them as ministers. God justifies them by calling them.

Leonard,
I think, perhaps, the use of the word "other half" could entail a different perspective, a different view of the world around us.
Women think differently than men, and they perceive events differently than men.
As far as "spiritual" issues...so, I think the difference actually lies in the difference of perception rather than skill sets.
Anyway, this should prove interesting at the least.

I am a business man. I will never be recognized as a pastor even though I do the work of pastoring. I, and other businessmen like me will NEVER be allowed to be a "Senior Pastor." I"m okay with that.

It's interesting to see how deeply the clergy - laity divide dupes God's people into thinking their system is God breathed, when it is not. How is it that just because you don't wear a "Pastor" title and get a paycheck out of the offering plate does it mean you are not a pastor? Where does the Bible say these are the marks of a pastor? Where does it say this is the best way to do the work of pastoring? It's interesting to hear woman sound spiritual as they try to climb into the traditions of men.

Her reasons for a woman being a pastor.

1. To many decades of Power

2. Men are not women

3. Churches are hypocritical when it comes to giving a man and a woman a "title"

4. The most abysmal one...essentially she argued for a season of affirmative affirmation/quotas in churches even if they are not "very good"...uggh!!!

Is there a biblical motivation? God bless her for giving it a shot in a very short amount of time, but this was an extremely weak argument for the "women should be pastors" side of the aisle. I for one am not convinced.

Does anyone know if this woman considers herself an evangelical?

Rose pastors a Vineyard congregation. Yes, Chap, I'd consider her an evangelical, and I assume she would, too.

Do you consider yourself one?

I assume that we can disagree on issues like baptism, gifts of the Spirit, signs and wonders, worship styles, church governance, and how women exercise leadership and still be evangelical. If one of those issues removes you from the ranks of evangelical, I wouldn't know which of those issues it would be. :-)

Chap - I didnt think she was outlining the argument for why women should be leaders, that's been done in plenty of other places. I think she was just adding some unique points from her perspective.

I heard Rose speak at an event recently and she is a good example of a woman willing to stand in the tension of being gracious to those who disagree - and still following God's call on her life.

"How I Changed My Mind About Women in Leadership: Compelling Stories from Prominent Evangelicals," recently published by Zondervan, will most likely be adding some much needed light on this subject, that will, most likely, be debated forever.

Sadly, too many women who've received a clear call by God into ministry have gotten wounded by repeatedly smacking their heads against the pastoral "glass ceiling." Many have quietly withdrawn to pursue other venues outside the church where they are welcomed, respected, and don't have to deal with undercurrents of suspicion, criticism, and disdain.

But no matter where we go, God's call on our lives and the giftedness He has given us remains ... and He has a beautiful way of opening doors for us to serve Him.

And for that, I am deeply thankful.

The problem I have with her "reasons" for a female pastor is that they are all the sterotypical reasons that "liberals" (I'm trying not to use that derogatively) use. Affirmative action, Power/control, Gender neutrality. Honestly these aren't that persuasive if you desire to take the Bible seriously (or persuade other complementarian evangelicals--and I concede maybe that is not her point). She would have been wise to side on making some type of biblical case or addressing why she rejects complementarian reasons for holding to male Pastor/eldership.
Jarod I think that is the whole point of the Ur blog "Women in Ministry".

"10 percent of Protestant senior pastors are women. That number has doubled in the last decade"
Linda, sounds like women are making a lot of inroads and are breaking through the glass ceiling.

Lastly, Wayne Grudem's "Evangelical Feminism:A new path to liberalism?" changed my mind about women serving in the office of pastor/overseer.

Always like hearing other perspectives though.

If God calls a woman to be a pastor, she will be able to serve the people the Lord gives her to serve, whether or not they recognize her with that title.

Even though titles do matter for the sake of organization within our church families, isn't it God who decides who is or is not a pastor? It is a calling that determines if you're a pastor, as well as the people who benefit from your giftedness.

So I guess I don't really see why the title matters so much, anyway.

Like Suzie said,
"There are women pastors because God has called them period. There is not other justification, not woman's rights, or what women bring to ministry or anything else justifies them as ministers. God justifies them by calling them."
and Amen to that!
God is not gender-specific.

Holly, I don't think she way saying that title matter,I think she was trying to help people to see that women are serving as pastors. Even in places that are against women as pastors and people are trying to make it feel better to them by giving the women a different title, they are still a pastor.

I think it's important to note that there are several "levels" to this discussion.

1) Should women teach?
2) Should women serve in leadership positions (as elders or on pastoral teams)?
3) Should women be senior pastors?

Scripture gives us a lot of examples of women teaching and serving in leadership positions in both the old and new testaments. Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Tabitha, Priscilla, Junia, etc. are referred to as prophet, judge, and apostle. I don't know how anyone can deny the evidence regarding questions 1 & 2 above that God has called many women to be teachers and leaders.

Regarding question 3, should women be senior pastors? Are there any "senior pastors" in the bible - male or female?

This is a great opportunity for this issue to be fleshed out. I really appreciate the views and respectful tone here. Here are my thoughts as I have had to think this through for a variety of reasons this past year.

I don't doubt that women are able to lead or able to teach or gifted or feel a drive to serve in these ways. I would say though that anecdotal reasons that aren't supported by scripture aren't persuasive enough for me. I'm sorry that so many churches have had to jump through weird hoops in order to remain true to their beliefs on these things. I understand that this is silly and embarrassing a set up for hard feelings and confusing to say the least. I'm not sure what the solutions to these picadillos are...but I don't think this line of argumentation, these anecdotes are enough to stand up to what we see as the model in scripture. If our Lord Jesus, the social and spiritual iconoclast that he was/is meant for women to lead the church he definitely would have broken the mold and put some women in the 12..but he didn't. I don't like it either and I've struggled with this reality believe me. I'm not going to be persuaded by bad examples of male dominated abuses or even good examples of female leadership to press a point. I'm going to look at biblical examples and support. Then I'll choose carefully a church where the men who lead are mature enough to recognize equality in our creation, who love women as Christ loved the church, who value the woman's voice and perspective and ask for it. I agree that a completely male dominated leadership is not balanced or healthy but leadership that values women and realizes the crucial need for input and influence might be closer to the biblical ideal. My thoughts...

It all comes down to two basic things ....

If God calls and gifts ... what are women to do with that? ... most women have no desire or gifting for these roles .... but some do, and we see examples in both Old and New Testaments of this.

Secondly, how we read our Bibles ... do we read and study, and listen and learn ... and yes pray for God to reveal (which in my experience He always does) - or - do we accept what our tradition (the tradition we have grown up in - church and secular) ... uses as 'spectacles' thru which to read what the Bible has to say?
NB ... it is very difficult to do this - because we all bring our background to our reading of Scripture.
Also, I think it is very difficult for men to give up their position of power (not having a go a men in particular, it is a fallen, human trait)

Please read the work of scholars such as Fee, Bruce, Keener, Witherington - and many others - evangelicals all! (and men to boot)

This is the video of the week. I got many advantage to visit this blog. This is blog given me so much knowledge.

I have benefited greatly from a book by Scot McKnight called "The Blue Parakeet - Rethinking how You Read the Bible."

I have benefited greatly recently on this topic from reading "The Blue Parakeet" by Scot McKnight.

This woman was allowed to teach only after she framed it for the audience by saying she was a missionary? How is that biblical? that's valuing traditions of men over the word of God. What is sad is that apparently the elders of that church were blind to the irony of that. the prophesy in Joel 2: "I will pour out my Spirit on all people, your sons and daughters will prophesy..." was fulfilled at Pentecost!
Also, Paul S. makes an important point--New Testament churches did not have senior pastors, men or women.

"There are women pastors because God has called them period. There is not other justification, not woman's rights, or what women bring to ministry or anything else justifies them as ministers. God justifies them by calling them."

AMEN!

I had no idea that this video of my wife was being presented in this way. Dr. Rose Madrid Swetman is more than able to present a biblical presentation on this subject. This was an interview representing the a response to specific questions. Rose in one of the most capable leaders I have ever met. Of course I have a bias unlike others who have commented

I worked with Rose for 15 years. Together with another man the three of us planted the church she now leads with her husband Rich.

And Like Rich, I'm biased since I was the man who originally ordained Rose to take my place at the innovative church they lead- Vineyard Community Church in Shoreline, Washington.

I am so proud to see her emerge as the articulate leader I always knew her to be. Im sure Jesus is smiling at all of this

1/3rd of those who come to our organization for a credential are women. But this issue isn't going to be resolved any time soon. So I would just add 2 quick points. 1. Run with those who empower you. 2. Be wary of organizations that use theology as a smokescreen for a testosterone-fueled religion that minimizes a woman's role in the church, the workplace & society. Many of these organizations exert strong levels of control that border on unhealthy. There are 600 million girls/women in the developing world suffering the indignity of FGM, child marriage, etc. Let's make sure these discussions don't distract/counteract a genuine desire for their full empowerment. God forbid that this discussion is going on 1,000 years from now.

Exceptional article!!