After receiving multiple questions on this topic, Pastor Steve and Jenny Elliott finally tackle one of the most discussed and debated issues in the modern church: the role of women in ministry. With grace, humility, and rigorous study, they begin a multi-part series by laying out where all Christians agree (Genesis 1:26-27 — men and women are equally created in God's image) and then walk through the first two of three theological views: complementarianism and egalitarianism. They unpack the key biblical texts each view rests on — including the Hebrew word "Ezer" (helper), the Genesis creation order, 1 Timothy 2, Galatians 3:28, and the role of women like Priscilla, Deborah, and Junia.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] Introduction — Steve and Jenny Tackle Women in Ministry

• [00:50] The Three Listener Questions (Melinda, Scott, and Tess)

• [01:51] Wrestling With This Topic — A Word About Unity and Grace

• [03:42] Roadmap: Three Views, Their Counters, and Where Cherry Hills Lands

• [04:36] Where All Orthodox Christians Agree — Genesis 1:26-27

• [05:13] The Real Disagreement: Authority and Responsibility, Not Worth

• [06:01] Introducing the Three Views: Complementarianism, Egalitarianism, and Soft Views

• [06:59] View 1: Complementarianism Explained

• [07:27] The Hebrew Word "Ezer" — A Strong Helper, Not a Subordinate

• [09:05] The Created Order and the Concept of Headship

• [09:44] Ephesians 5 — Headship as Servanthood, Not Domination

• [11:03] Headship Rooted in the Trinity — 1 Corinthians 15:28

• [12:11] 1 Timothy 2:12-13 — Teaching, Authority, and Creation Order

• [12:56] Eldership Reserved for Men — 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1

• [14:22] View 2: Egalitarianism Explained

• [14:38] Galatians 3:28 — "Neither Male nor Female"

• [14:52] Acts 2 and Joel's Prophecy — "Sons and Daughters Will Prophesy"

• [15:30] Women Leaders Throughout Scripture — Deborah, Huldah, Junia, Mary Magdalene, Esther, Miriam, Anna

• [16:06] Priscilla and Aquila — Acts 18:26 and the Word "Explained"

• [17:25] Egalitarian Response to 1 Timothy 2 — Cultural Context

• [18:22] Closing — Continuing Next Week with View 3 and Where We Land

People's Questions Answered

From Melinda: "Why can't women be in leadership positions in the church?"

From Scott: "What is the belief of Cherry Hills Church regarding women serving in the role of pastor and/or deacon? What is thechurch doctrine and what does Scripture say about these issues?"

From Tess: "Is it okay for churches to have women pastors? What about elders or deacons? I've heard both support for women pastors and discouragement depending on one'sdenomination. As a woman who has both female and male pastors in my family, this is a major question I have always wrestled with."

Key Scripture References

• Genesis 1:26-27
• Genesis 2:18-25
• 1 Corinthians 11:3
• 1 Corinthians 15:28
• Ephesians 5:22-33
• 1 Timothy 2:12-13
• 1 Timothy 3
• Titus 1:5-9
• Galatians 3:28
• Acts 2:17-18
• Acts 18:26
• Joel 2:28-29
• Romans 16:7 (Junia)
• Judges 4-5 (Deborah)
• 2 Kings 22 (Huldah)
• John 20:17 (Mary Magdalene)

Connect With Us

Submit your questions at cherryhillsfamily.org/podcast, text"podcast" to 217-546-4818, or use the link in the show notes.

Subscribe, share, and leave a 5-star review!