NICHOLS-ROY BIBLE COLLEGE

ORDINATION: WOMEN AND CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Submitted to

M. C. Laloo

In Partial Fulfilment of the Course

INTRODUCTION TO PASTORAL THEOLOGY-CPT/2403

Due Date: 24th February, 2020 Date Submitted: 24th February, 2020

Expected Word Count /Page Number: 1500 Actual Word Count/Page Number: 1588/6

We declare that this assignment is our own unaided work. Every idea or phrase that is not our
own has duly acknowledged.

Signature___________________________________________

By

Rilang Suting, Micky Donald K. Bani, Overlyne Phawa, Lastborn Ch. Marak
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

2. ORDINATION

3. THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR MINISTRY OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH BASED

FROM NEW TESTAMENT

3.1 Women in the Ministry of Jesus

3.2 Women in the Ministry of Paul

4. WOMEN’S ROLE AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY

5.WOMEN ORDINATION

5.1 Arguments against the Ordination of Women

5.2 Arguments in Favour of the Ordination of Women

6. WOMEN IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP

7. THE ISSUE OF WOMEN ORDINATION AND LEADERSHIP IN NORTH EAST

INDIA (NEI)

8. TH RESPONSE OF THE PRESENTERS ON THE ISSUE OF ORDINATION:

WOMEN AND CHURCH LEADERSHIP

9. CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. INTRODUCTION

Women have contributed much to the ministry of the Church throughout its history.
However, their role in this area has never been free from controversy. Today, most Church
bodies are discussing about the place of women in their ministries. Therefore, this paper here
will make an attempt to discuss about ordination: Women and Church leadership.

2. ORDINATION

In different ages of the world there are different meanings have been define for the
term Women Ordination. However, “In the early centuries of Christianity, ordination was the
process and the ceremony by which one moved to any new ministry (ordo) in the
community.”1 By this definition, women were ordained into several ministries. Therefore,
here the presenters will make an attempt to understand ordination: women and church
leadership from the perspective of the definition given by Macy.

3. THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR MINISTRY OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH BASED

FROM NEW TESTAMENT

Before going to further discussion it is noteworthy to have discussion about the

biblical basis for ministry of women in the church based from New Testament as following:

3.1 Women in the Ministry of Jesus

Actually, “Jesus mission was not gender biased; it was gender inclusive.”2 However,
there are yet question raise by many people, why Jesus did not choose any women to be His
disciples? In answering to this question Aida Besancon Spencer3, said, “The twelve do not;
signify that only men can be leaders in the church.”4 Therefore, though women did not
choose to be one of the twelve Disciples of Christ yet there involvement in the ministry of
Jesus is noteworthy.

1
Gary Macy, The Hidden History of Women’s Ordination: Female Clergy in the Medieval West (New
York: Oxford university press, 2008), 32.
2
David Hamilton, “Jesus Broke Down the Walls,” In (Ed.) Loren Cunningham, Why Not Women
(Seattle: YWAM, 2000), 112.
3
The Professor of the New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
4
Aida Besancon Spencer, “If Jesus Were Really Counter-Cultural in His Treatment of Women, Why
Didn't He Choose any Women to be His Apostles?,”
Https://Www.Cbeinternational.Org/Resources/Article/Mutuality/%E2%80%9Cif-Jesus-Were-Really-Counter-
Cultural-His-Treatment-Women-Why-Didnt-He (accessed 21st February, 2020).

1
3.2 Women in the Ministry of Paul

Paul recognizes the leadership of women. Paul recognized the leadership of Priscilla
which has been express clearly from the term when he called Priscilla as a fellow worker.
“By calling Priscilla as a fellow worker Paul accorded Priscilla as well as Aquila, an equal
place among other such workers as Timothy, Titus, Luke (Philemon 24), Apollos and Paul
and others. This term applied to Priscilla was also applied to Euodia and Syntyche, leaders at
Philippi.”5 Thus, it is clear that women played a significant role in the early church as leaders
and as female disciple (Rom. 16:7).

4. WOMEN’S ROLE AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY

Since here in this paper ordination has been understood as a process of set apart
someone for a new ministry (several ministries) therefore, here the presenters will discuss
about the involvement of women in different ministry of church from history (selected
centuries) as following:

Throughout the early church history “especially the second and third centuries, we
have many instances of virgins and widows who played important roles in the ministry of the
early church.”6

In the “seventeenth century women seized the opportunity to step out as missionaries.
The contributions that women made to Catholic missions are tremendous. They were
courageous and prophetic woman...”7

In the “nineteenth century, women’s ministry concentrated on evangelism, education,

medical and rescue work among widows, orphans, children and famine victims.”8 However,
still there ministries were not recognized as man’s ministry.

In the 20th century also the same scenario has been displayed by the church towards
women ministry and this is well articulated in the story of missions in North America. In
“1929, 67 percent of all foreign missionaries from the United States were women and over

5
Sharon Pearson, “Biblical Precedence of Women in Ministry” in Juanita Evans Leonard editor, Called
to Minister: Empower to Server Women in Ministry (Indiana: Warner Press, 1989), 18.
6
Anula Irvin Suguna, “The Role of Women in Evangelism”, Kristu Jyoti: A Youth Pastoral
Theological Catechetical Journal, 28, 1 (2012): 18.
7
Suguna, “The Role of Women in Evangelisation,” 18-19.
8
John C. B. Webster, “Assumptions About the Indian Women Underlying Protestant Church Politics
and Programs, 1947-1982,” in J.C.B. Webster & Ellen L. Webster (ed.), The Church and Women in the World
(Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1985), 36.

2
forty women’s mission boards had been formed.”9 However, the “leaders of the mainline
churches opposed the appearance of women in public meetings, and their assumption of
leadership roles in churches on the mission fields.”10

However, there are some women have been ordained as Pastors or leaders in the
West11 and as well as in India12 in 20th century. Though, the history witnesses’ women’s
participation as ordained minister and as a leaders yet their name have been missing from the
history. Thus because of this reason, Dorothy C. Bass sates that, “Large proportions of
women throughout history have not been granted their due voice, position and space whether
in the Bible or in the other writings.”13

No matter how women’s name have been disappear from the written history yet the
glimpse of history of Christianity witnesses the involvement of women in several ministries
of the Church.

5.WOMEN ORDINATION

Women ordination is controversial issue ever in the church. There are two views as
against and in favour of women ordination:

5.1 Arguments against the Ordination of Women

There are major arguments and factors contributing to the against of women
ordination includes “1). Traditional Interpretation of the Scripture 2). The Absence of
Women Apostles 3). The Priest as Icon of Christ and 4). Patriarchy.”14

5.2 Arguments in Favour of the Ordination of Women

9
R. Pierce Beaver, All Loves Excelling (Michigan: Eerdmans, 1968), 102.
10
Beaver, All Loves Excelling, 102.
11
The Lutheran World Federation in their survey in the West they have come to conclusion that there
are 65 percent male pastors to 35 percent female pastors. See, [n.a], The Participation of Women in the
Ordained Ministry and Leadership in LWF Member Churches (Geneva: The Lutheran World Federation, 2006),
18.
12
In the 20th century CNI Church has more than 20 women as pastors. See, Sakhi M. Athyal, Indian
Women in Mission (Lalgarh: Mission Educational Books, 1995), 80.
13
Dorothy C. Bass, “Women’s Studies and Biblical Studies: An Historical Perspective: JSOT, Vol. 22
(1982): 6.
14
Paul Ladouceur “The Ordination of Women to the Priesthood: A Pastoral Question,”
https://www.academia.edu/people/search?utf8=%e2%9c%93&q=paul+ladouceur++
%e2%80%9cthe+ordination+of+women+to+the+priesthood%3a+a+pastoral+question%2c%e2%80%9d
(accessed 20th February, 2020).

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 Though there are arguments against the ordination of women there are also arguments
in favour of the ordination of women includes: 1). New Testament supports the full equality
of women and men in Christ15 2). Church Today Cannot Take Over the Whole of New
Testament Practice16 3). The Royal Priesthood of all believers 4). Spiritual gifts are accorded
to both men and women.17

So, from the above arguments it has been manifested clearly, that though there are
some churches have been in favour of women ordination yet there are some factors which
contribute factors for the against of women ordination.

6. WOMEN IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Gender biased in the workplace is not a new Phenomenon. This phenomenon seems to
be existing in Church as well. One could say that the Church is one of the institutions which
has accepted women in leadership, and often then with much lack of enthusiasm. Some
churches are still struggling with the idea of women leadership. Yu-Fen Lin reports that
“many Asian Christian women and female pastors are told that men lead the church, and men
are strong. Therefore, women rationalize that they should not assume leadership roles in the
church.”18 This reports shows that, though there are some women holds some position of
leadership in church yet there are many women do not get the opportunity of holding the
leadership role as male leader hold.

However, going by the definition of Servant Leadership19 women can hold the role of
leadership in church. It is because, “When leaders are not over others, people will share their
ideas, feelings, thoughts and attitudes with them and communication will be a two-way
process. Women will be good leaders in this kind of leadership, as servant-leaders. The

15
Those who are in favour of women ordination “They drew one of the Pauline text (Galatians 3:28)
which states that in Christ Jesus there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female and to the
example of Jesus which shows favouring the equality of women with men. In light of this evidence, they
concluded that there was no valid biblical reason to bar women from ordination.” See, Krister Stendahl, The
Bible and the Role of Women (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1966), 41.
16
I. Howard Marshall, “The Role of Women in the Church,” In Shirley Lees, (Ed.),The Role of Women
(Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1984), 178.
17
Marry A. Kassian, Women Creation and the Fall (Illinois: Crossway Books, 1990), 168.
18
Yu-Fen Lin, “Exploring Asian Female Pastors’ Leadership Roles in the Church: Using Deborah’s
Story,” The Qualitative Report 15 no. 6 (2010) 1431-1458 http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR15-6/lin.pdf
(accessed 20 February, 2020).
19
Servant leader mean the one who serve.

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servant does not have authority and power but should be an example, by doing ministry.”20
Therefore, women are required to get the leadership role in church.

7. THE ISSUE OF WOMEN ORDINATION AND LEADERSHIP IN NORTH EAST

INDIA (NEI)

Here the presenter will discuss about the women ordination and leadership role in NEI
as follwoing from the perspective of Nagaland and Mizoram (since they are the major
christian state):

N.B.E Bharati, in discussion about women ordination in Nagaland said, “Women

should remain single to be ordained. While men are given even posthumous ordination,
women cannot even ask for it.”21 However, in 2017the Morung Express reports that, in 2017
WSBAK22 has ordained 70 including women but 15 candidates were given full ordination
(reverend) while the rest were given ‘Ministry License,’ which included 18 women.”23

  Coming to Mizoram Presbyterian Bharati said, though Mizoram has many trained
women theologians yet the ordination is denied to them that imply denial of privileges such
as housing, low salary and many other privileges.24
Therefore, it is to be understood living in this 21st century though the “North-East
India started to do ordination for women but this ordination, not as Pastor or Presbyter, but
they have separate ministries for them” said by R.L. Hnuni. 25 In addition to what Hnuni said,
it is proper to say that though the Nagaland and Mizoram offer ordination for women, but all
these are perhaps exceptional cases only.

8. TH RESPONSE OF THE PRESENTERS ON THE ISSUE OF ORDINATION:

WOMEN AND CHURCH LEADERSHIP

20
Sakhi M. Athyal, Indian Women in Mission (Lalgarh: Mission Educational Books, 1995), 107.
21
N.B.E Bharati, “Ordination of Women in India: A Historical Appraisal,” In Zubeno Kithan
(Compiled) Women in Church and Society (Kolkata: Sceptre, 2014), 411.
22
The Western Sumi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu.
23
The Morung Express, “WSBAK ordains 70 people; 18 women given 'Ministry License,”
https://morungexpress.com/wsbak-ordains-70-people-18-women-given-ministry-license (accessed 20 February,
2020).
24
Bharati, “Ordination of Women in India: A Historical Appraisal, 412.
25
Hnuni, “The Role of Women in the Church,” 64.

5
 The presenters in opine of women ordination and church leadership. The presenters
based their arguments for the women ordination and church leadership based on some factors
as following:

It is important to have women pastor because “women understand family systems

better, and that is where we need the most work.”26

It is a matter of Justice. Therefore, when the church does not include women in
priesthood and leadership role there is a serious injustice against women, and against God
who calls both men and women to be priests and leaders.

For the church “To function effectively, it needs all women to fulfil the biblical
directive to minister.”27 Therefore, for the well-functioning of church, women are
commendable to carry the role of leadership.

Leadership is all about influencing others. In ministry we need strong leadership of

people who can influence others and can move them towards the goal. If leadership is all
about influencing others then it is acceptable to say, without doubt that, women are capable
so much in this area. Woman can influence people very quickly which give us another reason
to allowing women hold on the role of leadership in church.

9. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the above following discussions demonstrate the ordination of women

in church ministry and call for the need to ordain women and give them the opportunity of
leadership role in ministry. It is therefore necessary for the church to re-examine and change
the traditional attitudes towards women and allow them to be ordain as minister and leader,
so that the purpose of God will be fulfilled, by sharing the partnership in God’s mission.

26
Sword Jajo, “Critique on Women’s Ministry of the Tangkhul Naga Baptist Churches,” Indian
Theological Journal 10 (2016), 115.
27
Kassian, Women Creation And The Fall, 162.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books

[n.a]. The Participation of Women in the Ordained Ministry and Leadership in LWF Member
Churches. Geneva: The Lutheran World Federation, 2006.

Athyal, Sakhi M. Indian Women in Mission. Lalgarh: Mission Educational Books, 1995.

Beaver, R. Pierce. All Loves Excelling. Michigan: Eerdmans, 1968.

Kassian, Marry A. Women Creation and the Fall. Illinois: Crossway Books, 1990.

Macy, Gary. The Hidden History of Women’s Ordination: Female Clergy in the Medieval
West. New York: Oxford university press, 2008.

Pearson, Sharon. “Biblical Precedence of Women in Ministry” in Juanita Evans Leonard

editor, Called to Minister: Empower to Server Women in Ministry. Indiana: Warner
Press, 1989.

Stendahl, Krister. The Bible and the Role of Women. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1966.

Articles in a Book

Bharati, N.B.E. “Ordination of Women in India: A Historical Appraisal,” In Zubeno Kithan

(Compiled) Women in Church and Society. Kolkata: Sceptre, 2014. 404-420.

Hamilton, David. “Jesus Broke Down the Walls,” In (Ed.) Loren Cunningham, Why Not
Women. Seattle: YWAM, 2000. 111-128.

Marshall, I. Howard “The Role of Women in the Church,” In Shirley Lees, (Ed.), The Role of
Women. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press, 1984. 177-197.

Webster, John C. B. “Assumptions About the Indian Women Underlying Protestant Church
Politics and Programs, 1947-1982,” in J.C.B. Webster & Ellen L. Webster (ed.). The
Church and Women in the World, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1985.

Journals

7
Bass, Dorothy C. “Women’s Studies and Biblical Studies: An Historical Perspective: JSOT,
Vol. 22 (1982): 6.

Jajo, Sword. “Critique on Women’s Ministry of the Tangkhul Naga Baptist Churches,”
Indian Theological Journal 10 (2016).

Suguna, Anula Irvin. “The Role of Women in Evangelism”, Kristu Jyoti: A Youth Pastoral
Theological Catechetical Journal, 28, 1 (2012): 18.

Online Sources

Ladouceur. Paul “The Ordination of Women to the Priesthood: A Pastoral Question,”

https://www.academia.edu/people/search?utf8=%e2%9c%93&q=paul+ladouceur++%
e2%80%9cthe+ordination+of+women+to+the+priesthood%3a+a+pastoral+question%
2c%e2%80%9d. Accessed 20 February, 2020.

Lin, Yu-Fen. “Exploring Asian Female Pastors’ Leadership Roles in the Church: Using
Deborah’s Story,” The Qualitative Report 15 no. 6 (2010). 1431-1458
http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR15-6/lin.pdf. Accessed 20 February, 2020.

Spencer, Aida Besancon. “If Jesus Were Really Counter-Cultural in His Treatment of
Women, Why Didn't He Choose any Women to be His Apostles?,”
Https://Www.Cbeinternational.Org/Resources/Article/Mutuality/%E2%80%9Cif-
Jesus-Were-Really-Counter-Cultural-His-Treatment-Women-Why-Didnt-He.
Accessed 21 February, 2020.

The Morung Express, “WSBAK ordains 70 people; 18 women given 'Ministry License,”
https://morungexpress.com/wsbak-ordains-70-people-18-women-given-ministry-
license. Accessed 20 February, 2020.