Ordained but Restricted: The Unspoken Challenges for Female Pastors

In churches and Bible colleges around the world, a significant and welcome shift has occurred: women are being called, trained, and officially ordained into pastoral ministry. They receive the same anointing, the same ceremonial gowns, and the same titles as their male counterparts. Yet, a critical question lingers in the pews and corridors of church leadership: Does ordination grant them the same authority?

In a recent, insightful discussion, Pastor Sohail John and Pastor Simon Sohail explored this very paradox. They unpacked the complex reality facing many female pastors who, despite their calling and qualifications, are often restricted by cultural traditions and unwritten rules that limit the scope of their ministry.

The Gap Between the Spiritual Calling and Physical Practice

The conversation highlighted a stark contrast. Spiritually, the New Covenant is a "covenant of the spirit," where distinctions that once mattered are superseded by a new identity in Christ. Women played pivotal roles in the early church—from Mary Magdalene, the first to announce the resurrection, to Phoebe, whom Paul calls a "servant (deaconess) of the church." The foundation for women in active ministry is clearly present.

However, when it comes to the physical, practical duties of a pastor, a "cultural barrier" often emerges. The speakers pointed out that it is exceptionally rare to see a female pastor:

• Officiating a funeral service.

• Leading a wedding ceremony.

• Serving as a pallbearer or giving the final blessing at a burial.

These duties, considered standard for any male pastor, seem to be off-limits for many ordained women. This raises the question: If a woman is appointed by God and affirmed by the church to be a pastor, why is her authority curtailed when it comes to these fundamental community rites?

Is it Biblical Law or Human Tradition?

The discussion delved into the roots of this hesitation. Much of it stems from an adherence to Old Testament models of leadership, which were predominantly male. While the Old Testament contains powerful female leaders like Deborah, Esther, and Ruth, the priestly and ceremonial roles were reserved for men.

However, the speakers compellingly argued that applying these physical and ceremonial laws to the New Testament era is a misunderstanding of Christ's work. The New Covenant is spiritual, not physical. Jesus himself challenged traditions that had become more important than God's law. He taught that what defiles a person comes from the heart, not from external factors like unwashed hands.

Similarly, the argument that physical states (such as those unique to women) could be a barrier to ministry is an echo of old purity laws that were fulfilled in Christ. As one pastor noted, Jesus prayed from the cross in a state of ultimate physical degradation, and Paul and Silas worshipped while beaten and imprisoned. Their spiritual service was not hindered by their physical condition.

A Call for Courage and Consistency from Church Leadership

So, what is the solution? The pastors issued a powerful challenge directly to the Bible colleges, denominations, and bishops who ordain women.

If an institution has the conviction to ordain a woman as a pastor, it must also have the courage to stand by her and grant her full pastoral authority. Leaders must be the "first drop of rain" that starts a change. They should be the ones to invite female pastors to officiate weddings and funerals, actively dismantling the cultural barriers that hold them back.

Without this consistent support, the ordination of women risks becoming a symbolic gesture rather than a full affirmation of their God-given calling.

The conversation leaves us with a profound challenge: Are we, as the body of Christ, truly living in the freedom of the New Covenant, or are we allowing the shadows of past traditions to limit the work of the Holy Spirit in our midst? It's a question every church and every believer must thoughtfully consider.