Biblical Perspectives on Women's Ordination and Ministry

The scriptural and historical record reveals that while women are called to a vital and essential "woman ministry" in the church, the formal and official ordination of women to the gospel ministry as traditionally expected of ordained ministers lacks specific biblical encouragement and was not practiced by pioneersDG 255.2+1. God has a special, sacred work for women to perform that is distinct yet complementary to the gospel ministry5MR 134.3+1.

The Nature of Woman Ministry

• A Divine Call: God calls for a numerous company of women to publish His word, a prophecy realized through those who labor for souls with prudence and tenderness Psalms 68:11GCDB March 7, 1899, page 172.38+1.

• Reaching the Unreachable: There are specific fields, such as working with women in private settings or reaching those in profligate conditions, where a woman ministry is the only effective means of laborGCDB March 7, 1899, page 172.38.

• Blending of Attributes: Women workers should possess a blend of Martha’s willingness to minister and Mary’s love for the truthChS 27.3.

• The Gospel in the Home: Consecrated women may unite with their husbands in gospel labor, and their influence in the home and among neighbors is often more effective at meeting real family needs than that of a ministerEROW 4.5+2.

The Standard of Gospel Ministry and Ordination

• Careful Expression: Significant leaders were very careful about expressing any advisability regarding the ordination of women as gospel ministers, noting that such a general practice could expose the church to perils from a gainsaying worldDG 255.2.

• Lack of Precedent: There is no official statement that encourages the formal and official ordination of women to public labor such as that ordinarily expected of an ordained ministerDG 255.2.

• Setting Apart by Laying on of Hands: The biblical practice for those entering the gospel ministry involved being set apart by prayer and the laying on of hands, as seen with brethren called to the workARSH March 28, 1854, page 77.3+2.

• Qualifications: Those called to the gospel ministry must possess specific qualifications pointed out in the Word and be regarded as servants of the Most HighARSH December 27, 1853, page 197.7+1.

The Relationship Between Ministry Branches

• Medical Missionary Work as the Arm: Medical missionary work is designed to be the "helping hand" or the "arm" of the gospel ministry, never to be exalted above it or separated from itPCO 72.5+2.

• Unity of the Body: While women perform essential missionary work and "Bible work," these efforts are meant to blend with the gospel ministry to create a symmetrical wholeMTC 132.5+3.

• Christ as the Head: In all lines of service, whether performed by men or women, Christ is the Head, and every human ambition must be submerged in Him 1 Corinthians 3:9KC 100.2+1.

Biblical Admonitions

• Silence and Subjection: Scriptural instructions regarding church order emphasize that women should learn in silence with all subjection 1 Timothy 2:11.

• The Goal of Soul Winning: The ultimate objective for every child of God, regardless of their specific role, is to become more like Christ and to labor for the salvation of souls 1 John 1:7DG 15.2+1.