[10.09.08] Just as the politics-in-the-pulpit debate escalates, so has the issue of
women in leadership roles—particularly within certain church
denominations—resurfaced since Republican presidential candidate John McCain
selected Sarah Palin as his running mate.
women in leadership roles—particularly within certain church
denominations—resurfaced since Republican presidential candidate John McCain
selected Sarah Palin as his running mate.
A few weeks ago, more than 100 LifeWay Christian Bookstores pulled from its
shelves an issue of Gospel Today that featured five female pastors on
its cover reports the Associated Press (AP).
shelves an issue of Gospel Today that featured five female pastors on
its cover reports the Associated Press (AP).
Now many Southern Baptist leaders and pastors are facing questions from
secular media on how their denomination can endorse a woman for political office
but not allow her to lead a church.
secular media on how their denomination can endorse a woman for political office
but not allow her to lead a church.
“There's no disconnect or inconsistency whatsoever,” said Richard Land,
president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to the
AP. “We don't go beyond where the New Testament goes. Public office is neither a
church nor a marriage.”
president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to the
AP. “We don't go beyond where the New Testament goes. Public office is neither a
church nor a marriage.”
Southern Baptist pastor and Family Research Council president Tony Perkins
told the Religion News Service that, “An elected official is not a spiritual
leader—and that's what the Scripture speaks to.”
Cheri Fuller and Cindy Lamb Curry 
Marilyn Hickey 
Charisma Staff 
