“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

Ty Gibson, co-director of Light Bearers, posted “A Closer Look at Women’s Ordination” (or printable PDF or Spanish) on June 5, 2015, as the result of an arduous 5-month study that began on January 14.

Ty says, that is when “I decided that it is time for me to knuckle down and study the subject of women’s ordination for myself” because “my church is engaged in a titanic conflict over the subject.” He came into the study with a mind set against WO. But he decided to study with an open mind, trying to lay aside his biases and preconceptions on the topic, and simply examine what the Bible and the writings of Ellen White have to say. Continue reading

One of the false arguments asserted by the anti-WO activists is a new theology of “male headship.” They claim that it applies to the pastor as head of the church. There are several problems with that new theology. For one, the minister is not the head of the church!

Ellen White made it clear that Jesus Christ is the only head of the church. She also preached that the secret of unity is the equality of believers in Christ. (Ellen White, 1SM 259) She said the Holy Spirit “prepares workers, both men and women, to become pastors.” (Ellen White, Testimonies Vol. 6, p. 322) Our prayer is that the Adventist Church will unite in the equality of believers, including equality in ministry.

For more information on headship, including insightful papers and videos, see our post, Pastor Is Not the Head.

Ellen White was a founder of the Adventist Church. She was a messenger of the Lord. And an influential leader. And yes, she was a woman. At the General Conference Session in 1887, “Ellen White’s name was among those voted to receive papers of the ordained ministers.” (Ellen G. White: The Lonely Years: 1876-1891, p. 377). Ellen White held ministerial credentials by 1871. (There were numerous female pastors in Mrs. White’s era, as early as 1872.)

Ellen White received the salary of an ordained minister starting in 1881. She received ordination certificates as an Ordained Minister in 1883 and other years such as 1887, 1899, 1909, 1913. She was listed as an ordained minister in the General Conference Yearbook starting in 1884. She made many positive statements affirming women in ministry. “There are women who should labor in the gospel ministry,” she said. (Manuscript 43a, 1898). In this video you will hear insights from Adventist leaders and scholars regarding EGW and women’s ordination. Her writings and her ministry undergird their support of women’s ordination.

“No son siempre los hombres quienes mejor se adaptan a la administración exitosa de una iglesia.” (El Ministerio Pastoral, p. 38)

“Se necesita la influencia refinadora y suavizadora de las mujeres cristianas en la gran obra de predicar la verdad.” (El Ministerio Pastoral, p. 88)

“Si hubieran veinte mujeres donde ahora hay una, que hicieran de ésta santa misión su obra predilecta, veríamos muchas más almas convertidas a la verdad.” (El Ministerio Pastoral, p. 88) Continue reading

“We must not think, ‘Well, we have all the truth.’… The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light.” (Evangelism, p. 296)

“… our ways of looking at things vary. We judge differently. Our understanding of truth, our ideas in regard to the conduct of life, are not in all respects the same.” (Ministry of Healing, p. 483)

“We should have a spirit of progress. We must guard continually against being fixed in our views, feelings, and actions. The work of God is onward.… Energy, tempered with patience and ambition, and balanced by wisdom, is now needed by every Christian.” (Testimonies 3, p. 540)

“A spirit of Pharisaism has been coming in upon the people who claim to believe the truth for these last days.… They have said, ‘We have the truth. There is no more light for the people of God.’ But we are not safe when we take the position that we will not accept anything else than that upon which we have settled as truth. We should take the Bible, and investigate it closely for ourselves. We should dig in the mine of God’s word for truth.… Increasing light is to shine upon us.…” (Review and Herald, June 18, 1888)

“… unity … does not mean uniformity in everything. Unity in diversity is a principle that Continue reading