According to Ellen White, Christ is the only head of the church. “God has never given a hint in His word that He has appointed any man to be the head of the church” (Great Controversy, p 51). “Christ, not the minister, is the head of the church” (Signs of the Times, Jan. 27, 1890). “Christ is the only Head of the church” (Manuscript Releases, 21:274). (Incidentally, Ellen White says nothing about “male headship” before the Fall; in fact she denies this idea by pointing to Eve as “in all things” the equal of Adam. [3T 484.])

According to the Bible, Christ is the only head of the church. He is “head over all things to the church” (Eph 1:21). “Christ is head of the church” (Eph. 5:23). “He is the head of the body, the church” (Col 1:18). All Christians are to “grow up in all things into Him who is the head: Christ” (Eph 4:15), who is head of “the whole body” in which “every part does its share” (4:16).

Those who minister in the church are not the “head” or “husband” of the church. Pastors cannot exercise headship over the church. The church has one Husband, who is Christ. As Paul expresses this point: “I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Cor 11:2).

Thus, as seminary professor Dr. Martin Hanna has explained, the whole “male headship” argument of the anti-women’s ordination rhetoric is inapposite. For a detailed analysis of the unique headship of Jesus Christ, see the SDA Theological Seminary faculty’s analysis of headship. Another helpful resource is a paper entitled “Men and Women in Church Order” (recently published as a chapter in Women and Ordination).

Theologian Dr. Ron du Preez (a former opponent of WO) has also given an enlightening presentation (and printable handout) entitled What the Bible Really Says about Women as Spiritual Leaders. on What the Bible Really Says about Women Spiritual Leaders:

A pastor is a shepherd and servant, not a ruler. Seminary professor Dr. Darius Jankiewicz explains the Biblical teaching of authority:

For more helpful videos, see the NAD site.

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