Women have served as pastors in the Adventist Church since at least 1872. There were many female pastors in Ellen White’s era — about twice as many per capita as there are today. Women ministers have been “commissioned” by the GC since 1990. Does God discriminate in whom He calls to the ministry? God has ordained and poured out His Spirit on “whosoever will.” God said we are all one in Christ; there is no male or female. (Gal. 3:28) We saw an excellent blog that explains this sensitive subject with good humor and sound reasoning. The writer resorts to the mythical book of “Hezekiah” to make her point. Don’t miss this enjoyable and incisive look at the issues: Truth About Equality in Ministry. She unveils the game of semantics about which word to print on the pastor’s certificate: “ordained” or “commissioned.”

See also Pastor Bill Cork’s article and the message from William G. Johnsson, with some similar insights.

“It is not always men who are best adapted to the successful management of a church.” (Pastoral Ministry, p. 36)

“The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the truth.” (Review and Herald, Jan. 2, 1879)

“It is the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit of God that prepares workers, both men and women, to become pastors to the flock of God.” (Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 322) [See detailed word study of “pastor” and “minister” in EGW’s writings.]

“There are women who should labor in the gospel ministry.” (Manuscript 43a, 1898) Continue reading

Confused about ordination? Watch this video! Dr. George Knight, professor emeritus of church history at the SDA Theological Seminary, clears up the confusion. Dr. Knight is a leading Adventist historian, theologian, author, and educator. He is the best-selling Adventist author of the past 30 years and is one of the most influential voices in the denomination. Here is a brief summary of some of the fascinating facts explained by Dr. Knight in the video:

1. Ordination is not a biblical concept (it is a post-biblical Catholic concept).

2. The laying on of hands is a biblical concept, but they received their “commission from God Himself, and the ceremony of the laying on of hands added no new grace or virtual qualification.” It was simply a human recognition that God had called the person. (AA, p. 161)

3. After Bible times, the Catholic church started to associate “ordination” with Continue reading

There is so much misinformation floating around about women’s ordination. There is nothing like a dose of truth to clear up the malady of confusion. Here (also in Spanish) is a logical, succinct list of facts about ordination of women in ministry:

FACT: The SDA Church has had women pastors since at least 1872.

FACT: There were many more women pastors in Ellen White’s day, proportionately, than now. Continue reading

I’ve been studying about women’s ordination. Here are the top seven, absolute most-persuasive arguments I’ve ever seen against ordination of women pastors:

1. Recognition of God’s ordination of women would violate the “biblical principle of male headship.” I haven’t really found a verse to support that theory, but it sure sounds good anyway. (After all, we gotta keep those women-folk in subjection, barefoot and pregnant, or they might try to take over the world. Imagine the horror of woman clergy staging a coup d’é·tat, armed with Bibles and communion bread!) Continue reading

Bible Study: What Does the Bible Say About Women’s Ordination? How does the creation story of Genesis 1, view male and female in relation to each other? What practice do we see in the Old Testament regarding women leaders over men? How did Jesus treat women, and why? What does Paul mean about not permitting women “to teach” in 1 Timothy 2? In this succinct study, theologian Dr. Ron du Preez and Dr. Cindy Tutsch (a retired associate director of the Ellen G. White Estate), delve deeply into Scriptures to explain the context and culture involving some of the most misunderstood and misused biblical citations used to withhold women’s ordination. Continue reading

The highly-respected minister, scholar, and leader Dr. Calvin B. Rock recently offered some valuable counsel regarding women’s ordination in this video and the message below:

“I think that the essential understanding is that of giftedness. The scriptures do not say in Joel 2, ‘God’s going to pour out his spirit in some limited manner on one group or the other.’ Giftedness, as described in I Corinthians and Ephesians and other places, does not come to us with gender label.

“For me, the whole ordination question boils down to one simple question: Does this person have the gift? And the other part of that question is: If so, who are we not to recognize it? Continue reading

In honor of Women’s Equality Day, commemorating August 26, 1920 when women received the right to vote in the USA. But before there was Congress, there was God–who created male and female as equals. “There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28)

“Men & Women, Ordained by God, Ministering as Equals. Galatians 3:28.”

God ordains men and women to serve as pastors, evangelists, and ministers for the salvation of souls. “There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) “Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit.” (Acts 2:18)

(These lapel buttons are available through Davidson Originals.)


Elder Charles Bradford, retired President of the North American Division (1979-1990), gave this inspiring message on women’s ordination in 1991, reminding us that the Holy Spirit determines to whom He will give the gift of ministry, and the Church should recognize those who have received it. Elder Bradford declared: “A gift is a terrible thing to waste.” Continue reading