Gender Roles in Ministry

Moody values the worth and dignity of all persons without distinction as created in God's image.¹ We affirm the priesthood of all believers² and the responsibility of every Christian woman and man to take an active role in edifying the church.³ For that purpose, the Holy Spirit distributes ministry gifts to believers without distinction of any kind.⁴ That reality imposes the responsibility on every believer to fulfill ministry consistent with God's grace.

Moody distinguishes between ministry function and church office. While upholding the necessity of mutual respect and affirmation as those subject to the Word of God,⁵ Moody understands that the biblical office of elder/pastor in the early church was gender specific.⁶ Therefore, it maintains that it is consistent with that understanding of Scripture that those church offices should be limited to the male gender.

¹ Genesis 1:26–27; 9:6

² 1 Peter 2:5, 9; Revelation 1:6

³ Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Ephesians 4:11–13

⁴ Ephesians 4:7–13; 1 Corinthians 12; 1 Peter 4:10–11

⁵ Ephesians 5:17–21

⁶ 1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9