Vibrant Churches led by Women Pastors

[Cow Poke]

I didn't want to derail the "ordain women pastors" thread (not it's proper name, but you probably can find it) with this, so I'm starting a new thread.

Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that the Bible does not prohibit women to be lead pastors or bishops, and keep those arguments in the other thread.

Let's keep this conversation polite and respectful - just a calm discussion.

I'm wondering if there are any dynamic or vibrant Churches (particularly in the US, but wherever) led by a woman.

The reason I wonder this, is that in my own experience over the past 40+ years in several denominations, and having been in numerous ministerial associations or alliances, I am not aware of a single Church led by a woman that is alive and growing, or dynamic and vibrant.

It SEEMS, in my experience, that it's the more liberal Churches who will call a female pastor because that's who they can get to come to their Church. I know that sounds harsh, but I'm aware of 6 Churches in my area led by women - ALL of them are in serious decline and it's mostly older folks and women who attend. Four of them are quite liberal. The other two, I suspect are pretty liberal, but I don't know that for a fact.

I know that "vibrant" and "dynamic" -- yeah, that's pretty subjective -- I mean like - soulwinning, baptizing people, growing..... active in their communities, etc.

Again, this isn't a battle or another place to argue about the ordination of women - more of a fact finding thing, I guess.

Be gentle.

[Jesse]

I didn't want to derail the "ordain women pastors" thread (not it's proper name, but you probably can find it) with this, so I'm starting a new thread.

Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that the Bible does not prohibit women to be lead pastors or bishops, and keep those arguments in the other thread.

Let's keep this conversation polite and respectful - just a calm discussion.

I'm wondering if there are any dynamic or vibrant Churches (particularly in the US, but wherever) led by a woman.

The reason I wonder this, is that in my own experience over the past 40+ years in several denominations, and having been in numerous ministerial associations or alliances, I am not aware of a single Church led by a woman that is alive and growing, or dynamic and vibrant.

It SEEMS, in my experience, that it's the more liberal Churches who will call a female pastor because that's who they can get to come to their Church. I know that sounds harsh, but I'm aware of 6 Churches in my area led by women - ALL of them are in serious decline and it's mostly older folks and women who attend. Four of them are quite liberal. The other two, I suspect are pretty liberal, but I don't know that for a fact.

I know that "vibrant" and "dynamic" -- yeah, that's pretty subjective -- I mean like - soulwinning, baptizing people, growing..... active in their communities, etc.

Again, this isn't a battle or another place to argue about the ordination of women - more of a fact finding thing, I guess.

Be gentle.

Cow Poke. Why did you have to ask this tough question? I can honestly say I don't know of any female pastors personally. They are only 10% overall I think? The ones I do know of are of the more liberal, or prosperity preacher type. Geeze, I don't know.

[KingsGambit]

I know of one deaf church locally that is one of the only churches that does any deaf outreach and is involved with frequent missionary work and Bible translation (into sign language video). Her son (a good friend of mine, so I'm not unbiased) is now a co-pastor, though.

Originally I think it was a situation where her skill set (theological education, not deaf but completely fluent in sign language, having deaf children so having that in on the culture) was something that few people would have been able to replicate.

[pancreasman]

Couldn't resist:

http://womenpastorsministers-exist.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/...w.html?start=9

https://www.barna.org/barna-update/l...e#.VO-44lOUfwY

[Thoughtful Monk]

I didn't want to derail the "ordain women pastors" thread (not it's proper name, but you probably can find it) with this, so I'm starting a new thread.

The reason I wonder this, is that in my own experience over the past 40+ years in several denominations, and having been in numerous ministerial associations or alliances, I am not aware of a single Church led by a woman that is alive and growing, or dynamic and vibrant.

It SEEMS, in my experience, that it's the more liberal Churches who will call a female pastor because that's who they can get to come to their Church. I know that sounds harsh, but I'm aware of 6 Churches in my area led by women - ALL of them are in serious decline and it's mostly older folks and women who attend. Four of them are quite liberal. The other two, I suspect are pretty liberal, but I don't know that for a fact.

I know that "vibrant" and "dynamic" -- yeah, that's pretty subjective -- I mean like - soulwinning, baptizing people, growing..... active in their communities, etc.

Be gentle.

My experience is pretty much the same as yours. I've had two interims and one permanent in my time - all in PC(USA) churches. The interims were reasonable competent - the permanent ended in a first class disaster. I can't say I've ever met a woman pastor that has impressed me.

[Jedidiah]

Couldn't resist:

http://womenpastorsministers-exist.blogspot.com.au/

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/...w.html?start=9

https://www.barna.org/barna-update/l...e#.VO-44lOUfwY

Something besides a set of links might be nice.

[Cow Poke]

Cow Poke. Why did you have to ask this tough question? I can honestly say I don't know of any female pastors personally. They are only 10% overall I think? The ones I do know of are of the more liberal, or prosperity preacher type. Geeze, I don't know.

Then it's not a tough question! "I don't know" is a totally acceptable answer!

[Cow Poke]

I know of one deaf church locally that is one of the only churches that does any deaf outreach and is involved with frequent missionary work and Bible translation (into sign language video). Her son (a good friend of mine, so I'm not unbiased) is now a co-pastor, though.

Originally I think it was a situation where her skill set (theological education, not deaf but completely fluent in sign language, having deaf children so having that in on the culture) was something that few people would have been able to replicate.

Interesting, thanks. "Co-pastor" is an interesting concept. Maybe that deserves another thread.

[Cow Poke]

My experience is pretty much the same as yours. I've had two interims and one permanent in my time - all in PC(USA) churches. The interims were reasonable competent - the permanent ended in a first class disaster. I can't say I've ever met a woman pastor that has impressed me.

Thanks.

[pancreasman]

Something besides a set of links might be nice.

Well, I thought they were self explanatory with lists of women in successful ministries. Sorry, I'll shut up now.

[Cow Poke]

Well, I thought they were self explanatory with lists of women in successful ministries. Sorry, I'll shut up now.

What I was asking for was examples of vibrant churches led by women. Not so much "successful women" in the ministry.

[rhutchin]

Couldn't resist:

https://www.barna.org/barna-update/l...e#.VO-44lOUfwY

From the article, "Not surprisingly, a large share of the woman in the pastorate – 58% – are affiliated with a “mainline” church – i.e., a congregation that is aligned with denominations such as American Baptist Churches (ABCUSA), United Church of Christ, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), United Methodist or Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), abbreviated PC(USA)."

Mainline churches are generally in decline - thus not dynamic and vibrant it would seem.

[KingsGambit]

My church is technically "mainline" by denomination, but is clearly evangelical in practice. Sometimes it's not easy to tell where the lines are.

[Cow Poke]

Mainline churches are generally in decline - thus not dynamic and vibrant it would seem.

There are, of course, exceptions, and those are what I'm interested in. How many of those churches are primarily female led.

And it's not a simple question -- it's not just about the abilities or capabilities of the woman who is leading, but about the acceptance of the congregation to her leadership. There's an old saying "if the people are not following, then the leader is not leading".

[phat8594]

There are, of course, exceptions, and those are what I'm interested in. How many of those churches are primarily female led.

And it's not a simple question -- it's not just about the abilities or capabilities of the woman who is leading, but about the acceptance of the congregation to her leadership. There's an old saying "if the people are not following, then the leader is not leading".

Well, I go to a church that is growing quite a bit and has female pastoral leadership. That being said, most of the female pastors are married to a male pastor - and they lead together.

The 'head pastor' I guess would be male -- although he leads with his wife and I don't think he would call himself THE head pastor.

The church is growing and vibrant. Both the male and female pastors preach from the pulpit.

To be clear -- I don't know if the church would have the same dynamic with only female pastors or female lead pastors. As it stands now, the pastors would function more along the lines of a parents where responsibilities and leadership is shared in mutual submission....



[as a side note -- a few years back I wouldn't have imagined listening to a female pastor from the pulpit -- and now I actually appreciate it as a change of pace (although admittedly I appreciate the teaching of the head 'male' pastor the best)