11. CHALLENGES FACING THE BAPTISTS: WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

In the NT women were quite prominent in the churches, despite strong patriarchal cultures. Today, the church is creating a scandal by appearing to treat women as second-class citizens. Some Baptist churches and denominations will not recognize the pastoral leadership gifts of women: if God were to raise up a Deborah to lead the whole people of God today some of us wouldn't let him to it! We should be grateful God is not a legalist! (See my paper on Women in Leadership).