What About … The Ordination of Women to the Pastoral Office

What About …
The Ordination of Women to the Pastoral Office

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many denominations ordain women to the pastoral office, even some Lutheran churches. It is important that Missouri Synod Lutherans be able to give a kindly response and explanation to those who may question our position on this issue. We have an opportunity to speak the truth in love.

What does God say about women serving in the pastoral office?
The Lord teaches us through His Word that women are not given the responsibility of serving the church as pastors. We read the following statements:

“As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says …what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord” (1 Cor.14:33–34,37).

“Let a woman learn in silence with all submissiveness. I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent”(1 Tim.2:11–12).

“The saying is sure: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Now an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife…”(1 Tim.3:1–2). “This is why I left you in Crete …that you might appoint elders in every town as I directed you, if any man is blame-less, the husband of one wife…”(Titus 1:5–6).

God has given His church many gifts. Among them is the gift of the office of the public, pastoral ministry. We receive what God gives, in the way He has given it, and in the form He has given it. We do not tell God that His gift is not good enough for us, or that we don’t like the form in which He has given the gift. We receive God’s gifts as He gives them, with thanks and praise. We rejoice in the opportunities God has given us, as His redeemed people, to serve Him in the church, and in our daily lives.

The church which wishes to remain faithful to the Word of God cannot permit the ordination of women to the pastoral office.

The Bible says that we are all one in Christ. Don’t these words imply that women may serve as pastors?
There are those churches which believe that St. Paul’s words in Gal.3:28 mandate the service of women as pastors: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

But this verse does not teach that there is no dis-tinction between these various groups; rather, it teaches the equality of salvation that all Christians have in Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul wants us to know that all individuals are equally sinful and equally saved by the work of God through Jesus Christ. Gal. 3:28 does not contradict or overturn St. Paul’s comments elsewhere. This passage does not speak to the issue of the ordination of women; instead it is speaking of the equality of our salvation in Christ, for which we praise the Triune God, but it certainly does not mean that all may serve as pastors.

If men and women have equal rights, why can’t women be pastors?
The issue of the ordination of women is not a matter of “human rights” or “church traditions” or various human opinions and customs. Nor is it a matter of “discrimination against women.” Various social reformers in our culture would have us believe that men and women are totally interchangeable and that their God-given differences simply have no bear-ing on life in this world. Not only does this run contra-ry to the clear testimony of nature, it also contradicts the Bible.

The Bible teaches us that both men and women were created in the image of God, but are two dis-tinct and special creations. We praise God for His wis-dom in creating human beings as man and woman.

We believe that God has gifted men and women with different responsibilities and duties. For exam-ple, men are gifted by God to be husbands and fa-thers; women are gifted by God to be wives and mothers. So also in the church, God has gifted men and women with different, though complementary, opportunities and responsibilities for service.

What are the roles of men and women in the church?
Together, men and women serve their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Men have the divine obligation to be the leaders of the church. Women are called to be of assistance to men in this capacity. An attitude of service guides what we do in the church, not a demand for “rights” or an attitude of “lording it over” one another. We have one Lord and one Master, Jesus Christ. We serve Him in the ways He desires.

God has given the responsibility to serve as pastors only to certain qualified men. The church calls these men to serve as representatives of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in the pastoral office. Women are not called to serve in this way because God has not given this responsibility to women. Why didn’t Jesus call a woman to serve as an apostle? Why, through the Apostle Paul, does He prohibit women from serving as pastors in the church? We must leave the answers to these questions to God. We honor and respect God’s will in these matters and praise Him for the many gifts He has given us all, including the marvelous opportunities He provides to both men and women to serve Him.

Why then do some churches ordain women?
Here again, as with so many issues, the reason for differences we have with other church bodies is based on their differing attitude toward the Scriptures.

Our Synod affirms the truth that the Holy Scriptures are God’s perfect and errorless revelation to us. We receive what God has given to us in His Word. We are not free to overlook that Word, ignore it, explain it away, or otherwise disregard what the Lord has revealed through the Apostle Paul.

Churches that ordain women have chosen to regard St. Paul’s writings as his own personal opinions. This is a difficult position to maintain in light of the fact that St. Paul goes out of his way, on more than one occasion, to repeat his position on this matter, and explicitly declares that this is not merely his personal opinion, but a command of the Lord.

How can faithful Lutherans respond to the ordination of women?
First, we never should become defensive or antagonistic about this issue. Instead, we need simply to speak the truth in love, witnessing to our beliefs and recognizing this as yet another opportunity to say, “This we believe, teach, confess and practice.”

Second, we need to be loving and gentle with people who belong to church bodies that ordain women. In many instances, they are simply unaware of why this has been done. They have been given incorrect information and have no clear foundation in Scripture to understand why the ordination of women is contrary to the Word of God. We need to explain these issues in love, with gentleness and compassion.

Third, it is important for us to explain how women may serve their Lord in the church in a fulfilling manner. There are many ways for women to serve as full-time church workers in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, including service as teachers, directors of Christian education, directors of Christian outreach, deaconesses and parish nurses. Laywomen have many opportunities for service through various church societies, guilds and leagues, along with the service they provide as volunteer teachers. They have additional opportunities to serve in their local congregations as members of various boards and committees.

We need to emphasize the opportunities that God has provided to all of us, both men and women, to serve Him in His kingdom. How unfortunate it would be if we permitted ourselves to become ensnared in self-centered demands for “rights,” and thus take our eyes off of our Lord’s call to service. Demanding from God what He has not given is contrary to what it means to be a child of God. When our focus is on love and service to one another, we realize that there is more than enough for all of us to do.

We serve each other in love, conforming our service to the Word of God. Nobody in the church is called to be the “master” over anyone else. Pastors are Christ’s servants who care for the people of God with Christ’s Word and Sacraments. Thus, through these gifts, our Lord graciously gives Himself to us for our salvation, in humble sacrificial service, according to His Father’s will.

Dr. A. L. Barry
President (1992-2001)
The Lutheran Church –Missouri Synod

Lutheran Sports Fellowship

Some friends in our area have expressed interest in a sports fellowship for local Lutherans interested in pickle ball, bowling, softball, etc.  PALM (Pittsburgh Area Lutheran Ministries) has created a survey to see if there is a wider interest in having PALM help to organize a group, and what kinds of sports people are interested in.

Zion Team Tees-Up a Win at the Concordia Golf Outing

Pastor Mike Kettner, Jackson Stephens, Sam Bishop and Bryan Kress enjoyed a winning round of golf to benefit Concordia Lutheran Ministries’ Good Samaritan Endowment Fund. 

Concordia Lutheran Ministries (CLM) held its 21st Annual Golf Classic on July 14th and was blessed with the support of many sponsors and friends. Zion members Pastor Mike Kettner, Sam Bishop and Bryan Kress (together with friend Jackson Stephens) took first-place in the outing with an impressive score of 53 (-19). 

Hosted at the Treesdale Golf & Country Club, more than 200 golfers participated in a scramble-style tournament. Combined with a raffle basket drawing, a 50-50 drawing and premium silent auction items, preliminary reports show the event raised over $140,000. The proceeds benefit one of the most important and historic pieces of CLM’s mission, the Good Samaritan Endowment Fund. The fund underwrites confidential charitable care for residents and patients wh have limited or exhausted financial means. This fund has supported numerous local Lutherans -- including members of our Zion church family -- through the years. 

VIDEO: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 - Complete Service

View the Bulletin for Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Worship Service: 2:00 p.m. with communion
Bible Study: 2:30 p.m. - Psalm 124 & 67 with Pastor Grimenstein
All are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relative

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AUDIO: Readings & Sermon for Wednesday, September 10, 2025

View the Bulletin for Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Worship Service: 2:00 p.m. with communion
Bible Study: 2:30 p.m. - Psalm 124 & 67 with Pastor Grimenstein
All are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relative

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2 Kings 9:1-13; 10:18-29 
Then Elisha the prophet called one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tie up your garments, and take this flask of oil in your hand, and go to Ramoth-gilead. And when you arrive, look there for Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, son of Nimshi. And go in and have him rise from among his fellows, and lead him to an inner chamber. Then take the flask of oil and pour it on his head and say, ‘Thus says the LORD, I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and flee; do not linger.” 

So the young man, the servant of the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead. And when he came, behold, the commanders of the army were in council. And he said, “I have a word for you, O commander.” And Jehu said, “To which of us all?” And he said, “To you, O commander.” So he arose and went into the house. And the young man poured the oil on his head, saying to him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, I anoint you king over the people of the LORD, over Israel. And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish, and I will cut off from Ahab every male, bond or free, in Israel. And I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah. And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the territory of Jezreel, and none shall bury her.” Then he opened the door and fled. 

When Jehu came out to the servants of his master, they said to him, “Is all well? Why did this mad fellow come to you?” And he said to them, “You know the fellow and his talk.” And they said, “That is not true; tell us now.” And he said, “Thus and so he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, I anoint you king over Israel.’” Then in haste every man of them took his garment and put it under him on the bare steps, and they blew the trumpet and proclaimed, “Jehu is king.” 

Then Jehu assembled all the people and said to them, “Ahab served Baal a little, but Jehu will serve him much. Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his worshipers and all his priests. Let none be missing, for I have a great sacrifice to offer to Baal. Whoever is missing shall not live.” But Jehu did it with cunning in order to destroy the worshipers of Baal. And Jehu ordered, “Sanctify a solemn assembly for Baal.” So they proclaimed it. And Jehu sent throughout all Israel, and all the worshipers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left who did not come. And they entered the house of Baal, and the house of Baal was filled from one end to the other. He said to him who was in charge of the wardrobe, “Bring out the vestments for all the worshipers of Baal.” So he brought out the vestments for them. Then Jehu went into the house of Baal with Jehonadab the son of Rechab, and he said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search, and see that there is no servant of the LORD here among you, but only the worshipers of Baal.” Then they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings. 

Now Jehu had stationed eighty men outside and said, “The man who allows any of those whom I give into your hands to escape shall forfeit his life.” So as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, Jehu said to the guard and to the officers, “Go in and strike them down; let not a man escape.” So when they put them to the sword, the guard and the officers cast them out and went into the inner room of the house of Baal, and they brought out the pillar that was in the house of Baal and burned it. And they demolished the pillar of Baal, and demolished the house of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day. 

Thus Jehu wiped out Baal from Israel. But Jehu did not turn aside from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel to sin—that is, the golden calves that were in Bethel and in Dan. 

Phillippians 2:12-30 
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me. 

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. 

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me. 

The Creed 
What is the first article of the Creed? 
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. 
What does this mean?
I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them. He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life. He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. All this He does only out of fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him. This is most certainly true. 

Bulletin: Wednesday, September 10, 2025

View the Bulletin for Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Worship Service: 2:00 p.m. with communion
Bible Study: 2:30 p.m. - Psalm 124 & 67 with Pastor Grimenstein
All are welcome, bring a friend, neighbor or relative

Visit our YouTube channel — Click the red “subscribe” box, and then click on the “bell” next to that box to receive Live Streaming notifications. You must be logged into YouTube to activate these features.

Archive of AUDIO “Readings & Sermons”
Archive of VIDEO “Complete Service”
Archive of BULLETINS

Zion Board of Trustees invites you to …

Looking to hang out with hardworking people with a great sense of humor? Under the leadership of Mike Debowski, the Zion Board of Trustees invites you to consider joining our team. We maintain all the buildings (interiors and exteriors) and grounds of the church campus with much appreciated assistance from Pastor and Tevia in caring for the parsonage and surrounding lawn. 

For more information, contact one of our team members: Mike Debowski, Paul Hayes, Jim Oelschlager, Ben Meyer, Deborah Sterba, and Linda Kroeger. We are all in the directory. We also welcome ad hoc helpers.  Thank you for your prayers and support!