Issue of Women Pastors

Is the issue of women pastors serious? The answer is most assuredly yes. The reason is because the Christian church has a tendency to move into apostasy; after all, we are sinners by nature. But when the Scriptures clearly teach on a topic, and if the Christian were to go against that clear teaching, it then becomes necessary to address the issue.Please understand that it is not my position that women are to be belittled, or are subservient to men. I believe that women are underutilized and underappreciated in the church. But this does not mean that it is okay to violate scripture's teaching concerning eldership. The Scripture is our guide and we must submit our preference to it -- whether or not it is popular, comfortable, or likeable. To do otherwise is to sin against God.Of course, there will be those who say that this is a debatable issue and that we should not declare someone's opinion to be authoritative and then force that opinion upon others. Doesn't Rom. 14:1-12, when speaking of debatable issues, declare that we should be gracious to those with whom we disagree? Yes, it does, but we must realize that because someone debates an issue does not mean is inherently debatable. Mormons, for example, will debate whether or not people can become gods since they affirm it is possible. But the Scriptures clearly teach they cannot (Isaiah 43:10). Therefore, just because it's debated does not mean it is debatable. Basically, there are three reasons why those who claim to be Christians will affirm that women can be elders and pastors.
They are ignorant of what the Bible truly teaches in this matter.
They are listening to the opinions of non-Christian society and are projecting those preferences upon the scriptures.
They are not regenerate, do not have the Spirit of God in them, and cannot discern spiritual matters (1 Cor. 2:14).
Taking God's word seriously is the obligation of every Christian who should submit his/her preferences to it. But, sadly, this is not happening enough in the Christian church today. We must all be mindful of the warning of 2 Tim. 4:1, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires." Christians should never be so arrogant as to say, "Thank you Lord that I am not like other people who gather to themselves teachers who tickle their own ears." (See Luke 18:10-14).What we need in Christianity is more people who will stand for the truth of God's Word instead of trying to water it down in order to meet the needs and preferences of the politically correct or the unregenerate. I believe Christian men are to stand upon the word whether it is popular or not, whether it is easy or not, and whether it costs them or not. Women pastors exist because of the failure Christian men, and this failure extends all too often into the pulpit.The elders and pastors of Christian churches need to be called to account for allowing women pastors. They need to be rebuked publically.
1 Tim. 5:19, "Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning."
Should we leave a church over this?
Is this an issue worth leaving a church over? In my opinion yes it is. If a pastor cannot discern such clear teaching of Scripture and instead imposes upon the word of God faulty exegesis and faulty logic ,then in my opinion, I would be forced to leave. I would not be able to trust his judgment concerning the rest of the word of God. Again, this is my opinion. What about those who have invested years in a church when a woman pastor is introduced? Should they leave or just stick it out in silent disagreement? It is ultimately up to the individual Christian to answer this question. But, I offer my opinion. If I were to continue to attend that church, then am I not publicly displaying my support for the eldership of that church in its actions and teaching in this regard? If more Christians across the world were to study biblical theology, stand up for it, and sacrifice some comfort, then the pulpits would be that much better. Truth is truth. Stand on the truth.Also, if the elders of the church approved of having a woman pastor, then I would not be able to trust them either since they are not acting as competent elders and are not refuting error. Please consider the following twelve qualifications of being an elder.
The elder must be above reproach (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 3:2).
The husband of one wife (Titus 1:6; 1 Tim. 3:2).
Have children who believe (Titus 1:6 ;1 Tim. 3:4).
Not be a new convert (1 Tim. 3:6).
Should be self controlled and temperate (Titus 1:7; 1 Tim. 3:2).
Must be honorable, hospitable, seeking good (Titus 1:7).
Have a good reputation (1 Tim. 3:7).
Not be addicted to wine (1 Tim. 3:3).
Not be greedy (1 Tim. 3:3).
Able to exhort (teach) sound doctrine (Titus 1:9; 1 Tim. 3:2).
Able to refute false teaching (Titus 1:9)
Must be ready to earn his own living if necessary (Acts 20:17, 33-35).
Points 10 and 11 above are applicable here. If the elders (who must be male per #2) of a church do not correct the teaching of having a woman pastor, then they are not doing their job and should not be elders. Is this making a mountain out of a mole hill? No, it is not. The Scriptures teach that an elder must be the husband of one wife, not wife of one husband. The authority issue related to it is based not on culture but on God's created order. Therefore, I take the position of standing on God's Word and believing what it says in spite of political correctness, social influence, or personal preferences, as every Christian should do.
Soli Deo Gloria!