SIR: I recently discovered that more than one Baptist church in our area, which are members of the Southern Baptist Convention, have women as associate pastors as well as serving as deacons. While I have nothing against women being in leadership position, I do not understand how the Southern Baptist Convention can condone having women as pastors or deacons of the local body when it is strictly forbidden by Scripture. Yes, women should participate equally with men in the priesthood of believers; yes, our role is crucial (this is evident by the lack of strong males to fill the necessary roles); yes, we are an integral part of the Convention, but more so, the Body of Christ. But I, as a woman and one who studies the Scriptures, cannot see how 1 Timothy 3 can be misconstrued. Verse 2 says that the “overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife.” It clearly states in verse 8 that, “Deacons, likewise, are to be men of worthy respect.” Then in verse 11 it states that their wives are to be women of worthy respect.” Now, one has to be a man in order to have a wife. In 1 Timothy 2:12, Paul says, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have the authority over a man.”

Women should not be allowed in a pastoral position with an organization that represents Jesus Christ and claims that the Bible is the infallible Word of God. If the Bible is what the Convention believes then it should be the basis for all of its decisions. We speak of raising standards, of setting examples for our younger generation. The convention is, I believe, doing this in words but not in action. It has nothing to do with the autonomy of the church, or what one man, or many, may say, but it has to do with upholding the only authority worth upholding – the Word of God.