Position Statement on Women in Ministry

The mission of The Center for Women of Faith in Culture (CWFC) is to contribute to the spiritual growth of women through biblical, theological, and worldview education, bringing God’s Word to bear on all areas of life. We believe that equipping women in this respect best prepares them for living in today’s world of ideas, in whatever sphere God has placed them. To this end, we endeavor to come alongside women’s ministries in the local church, assisting in their call to disciple women of all ages and backgrounds according to the Titus 2 mandate.

As CWFC works passionately with current women’s leaders and participates in the development of women as future leaders in church and culture, we desire not to compromise a core belief,  that the leadership roles of Senior Pastor and Elder are an office of the church to which only men may serve (1 Tim 3:1-3). In stating this view, we do not suggest that ministry among women is secondary or inconsequential to the advancement of God’s Kingdom. Rather, we identify it as a significant ministry that can effectively engage women’s minds, equipping them as functioning theologians in their personal spheres of influence. Christian women’s voices are of great necessity to the present and future of our society, so we seek to elevate women’s ministry as a core component of Christian education, not merely as a place for social interaction and therapeutic reflection.

The following are just a few of the reasons why ministry to women by women has become so vital to the work of the church, and why we as women must pursue this work to which we have been called (Eph 2:10):

Women comprise the majority of adults who attend church.(2) Though this is identified as a problem by some writers and thinkers, we see it as an opportunity.
A large segment of women who attend church do so without their husbands (3), an unfortunate reality reflective of the disintegration of the family throughout society.
More and more, women are pursuing advanced education and hold positions of influence in a various spheres including academics, health care, politics, art and more.
For decades, secular feminism has been the dominant voice for “women’s issues.” More than ever, women today need to hear women’s voices that speak from a Christian worldview on the issues that affect all women.
As women continue to raise children alone, whether the result of divorce, by means of reproductive technologies, or because of the death of her husband, children need mothers capable to teach them about God, sin, and salvation. (4)
Scripture models for us many women with great faith who are committed to understanding the content of their worldview. See Luke 10 and John 11 on Mary and Martha of Bethany and Acts 18 on Priscilla.

Being a resource to women and women in ministry is the primary purpose of The Center for Women of Faith in Culture. As God allows, we continue to pursue opportunities to equip women as disciples of Christ and messengers of the gospel, preparing them to contend for the truth of the faith wherever God has placed them.

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1. While CWFC holds a position that identifies with the structure of patriarchy that works itself out in the function of a complementarian view of male and female roles, we in no way hold any disrespect for those who identify with egalitarianism or a position somewhere in between. We appreciate the hard work of scholars and biblical exegetes who represent each side of the debate and hope that the conversation will continue and unity will be pursued. However, the complementarian view of specified roles in the church and family functions as a basic assumption of this ministry.

2. http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdate&BarnaUpdateID=47

3. Murrow, David. Why Men Hate Going to Church. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2005) p. 5.

4. This is not an endorsement of situations where women actively choose to be single parents, but it is recognition of that reality for some women. When she becomes a Christian and begins to walk in her faith, she needs to be equipped to lead and teach her children.