Preaching does not require ordination. Preaching is a spiritual gift, and no one is asking that women be forbidden to preach, either to the church or the world. It is the headship role of elder/overseer that the Bible reserves for men (1 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:12, 13). “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers” (Eph. 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28–30). To the extent that preaching is part evangelism and part teaching, preaching is a spiritual gift.
But the spiritual gift of preaching is not a sufficient reason to ordain someone. There are other qualifications. For example, Paul explained a man who desires to be an elder “must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:7 NASB). His qualifications must be demonstrated to the congregation before the church will consider him for an office. |