There are many female preachers and pastors these days. In fact, it’s difficult to find a church that doesn’t have a female listed as a pastor. I decided to do a Bible study to find the qualifications that God specifically gives for women being pastors and preachers.

First, let’s look at the qualifications of men who are to be elders, pastors, and preachers in the churches.

“This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous. One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

Then in Titus 1:5-9, we have these verses: “For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

These lists are quite extensive, and it’s clear that the office of the bishop which includes the title of pastor, preacher, and elder is to be the “husband of one wife,” therefore, these positions in the churches must be held by men. God is very specific in what types of men He wants leading His Church.

What about the qualification of deacons?

“Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 3:8-13)

Here again, this list is extensive and we have the office of deacon as being the husband of one wife. Deacons are to be men only too.

Are there any qualifications for women in leadership positions in the churches? I couldn’t find even one verse except to command women to learn in silence with all subjection, and that they are forbidden from teaching in the churches and being in authority over men in 1 Timothy 2:11,12. The reasons go back to the Creation order and the Fall in verses 13 and 14. Then in 1 Corinthians 14:34,35, women are admonished several times to be quiet in the churches since it’s shameful for them to speak in the church and if they have a question, they are to ask their husbands at home.

There are verses for qualifications of the aged women who are called to teach young women biblical womanhood.

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things” (Titus 2:3).

And what exactly are the “good things” that the aged women are to teach the young women?

“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:4,5)

Hmm, the aged women aren’t commanded to teach the young women to be independent, have careers, make sure to have me time, listen for the voice of God apart from Scripture, or anything else that these modern day female preachers teach. Not one of them teach what God has commanded they teach since they are in rebellion to these commands themselves. They aren’t living in submission to their husbands. They aren’t keepers at home since they travel often to speak. They aren’t learning in the churches in silence with all subjection. No, they teach things that tickle the women’s ears and make merchandise of them. Mark and avoid these false female preachers, women!

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2 Peter 2:1-3