There have been many changes in the roles of women over the past century. More and more women are taking on jobs that at one time were only for men. From the local hospital to Wall Street, women are involved, and quite often, in charge. The clergy has been no exception.
While some religions accepted women as pastors and priests with open arms, others strictly forbade it. Some Protestant churches have allowed women leaders for many years, while the Roman Catholic Church is just now beginning to accept women as authorities. Even the very strict Seventh Day Adventists church is allowing women to have the same rights as ministers, although they cannot be ordained, except to the lower position of elder. But still, very conservative churches still keep the tradition of all male leaders. There are even disagreeing views among leaders in the same religion, confusing each other, and their congregations. In some cases, the church’s stance may be to allow women to be ordained, but and individual leader may refuse to do so.
Those who are accepting base their views on what is acceptable now because of women's liberation, and equal rights. If there are women politicians running our country, why can't they run our churches? Even in those churches where women can become ordained, they are still, like many other formerly male occupations, completely equal. Some who are ordained still have a higher-ranking male to keep over them. Most women clergy are also paid, on average, almost ten percent less than their male counterparts.
Those who are opposed stand by tradition, and scripture to support their views. One of the most used scriptures comes from Genesis, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children, yet your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you" (3:16). They say that because Eve was being punished for not listening to the Lord, her daughters would forever be subject and submissive to their husbands, and therefore, it would not be proper for her to be of authority over any man. Some even say that because Adam listened to a woman, who was not to have authority, that men are to suffer and always have mortality. The point of women are to be submissive is further established in First Timothy, "I desire then that . . . the men should pray . . . that women should adorn themselves modestly and sensibly . . . Let a woman learn in silence with all submissiveness . . . I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men: she is to keep silent" (2:8-12). Some people believe that the Lord makes a point to keep women from being leaders in church because they are leaders of their homes, and doing His most important work of being mothers and raising His children to serve Him.
We may never have a universal agreement on the place of women as church leaders, but we will always have women, doing great things in the church that most men cannot do the way a woman can. They aid to the ill and elderly, work to better the community, and bring the church family together with socials and activities. Everyday they prove that you don't need to be ordained to serve your Lord and church.
