Why Women Should Not Be Pastors—and Why I Once Thought They Could

By Virgil Walker | Sola Veritas

Opening:
I used to attend conferences with Joyce Meyer, Paula White, and Juanita Bynum. I thought their boldness was courage. Now I see it was compromise—and I see it everywhere.

I Didn't Always Believe This

There was a time when I believed women could be pastors. I attended events where women took the stage with force and fire—Joyce Meyer, Paula White, Juanita Bynum. The rooms were full, the energy high, and the teaching... just biblical enough to fool you.

But here's what I learned:

Almost every woman who rejects Scripture’s boundaries for church leadership ends up in serious theological error somewhere else.

It’s not just about who gets to preach. It’s about what we believe the Bible is—and who gets to decide what it means.

This Is the Real Issue

When the topic of women pastors comes up, there’s usually immediate resistance—especially from women. It’s rarely a neutral conversation. It’s emotional. Defensive. Sometimes even hostile.

Why?

Because this isn’t really about gifting, intelligence, or influence. It’s about authority. And at the heart of that is a deeper spiritual issue that traces all the way back to the garden:

“Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” (Genesis 3:16)

Eve’s temptation wasn’t just to eat fruit. It was to reverse the order. To lead where she was meant to follow. To rise where she was called to submit.

And that same impulse is alive today—especially in the Church.

God Has Spoken Clearly

Scripture isn’t vague on this point:

“I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” (1 Timothy 2:12)

“As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission…” (1 Corinthians 14:33–34)

These aren’t cultural quirks. Paul grounds his command in creation, not culture. (1 Tim. 2:13–14). He doesn’t say, “In Ephesus, women shouldn’t pastor.” He says, in the Church, they shouldn’t.

It’s not about talent. Not every man is qualified to pastor either—and that’s okay. The standard isn’t gifting. The standard is obedience.

The Fallout of Disobedience

Once the Church started celebrating women in the pulpit, it didn’t stop there.

• Sound doctrine gave way to emotionalism.

• Church discipline vanished.

• Weak men retreated.

• Masculine worship disappeared.

• The Church lost its clarity, its boldness, and its spiritual power.

And what we’re left with is a feminized faith that’s producing confused Christians—and driving young men out the door.

Let’s Be Clear: This Isn’t Misogyny—It’s Reverence

Women are not second-class citizens in the Kingdom of God. They are co-heirs of grace (1 Peter 3:7), image-bearers of the Most High (Genesis 1:27), and uniquely called to teach other women, raise godly children, support the ministry, and walk in holiness, strength, and wisdom.

But pastoring is not one of those callings.

And when we allow feelings to override Scripture, we don’t just dishonor God—we disorder His Church.

The Way Back Is the Way Forward

The Church doesn’t need more celebrities in the pulpit. It needs more men who will stand, and more women who will trust God’s design—even when the world mocks it.

So no, I don’t believe women should be pastors. Not anymore.
Not because I’ve changed my opinion, but because I stopped treating my opinion as the authority.

God has spoken.

And obedience is still better than sacrifice.

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It’s not about being divisive. It’s about being discerning.
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