A Clarifying Word on Full Partnership for Women in the Church
Recently, I’ve shared some thoughts about the importance of recognizing and encouraging women as full partners in the life of the church and in society. After a good and pastoral conversation with our district president, I want to offer a word of clarification—not to back away from my convictions, but to be sure my motives are understood rightly.
Let me be clear: I am not advocating for the ordination of women in the LCMS. I affirm the LCMS’s teaching on the Office of the Public Ministry. My concern is not with that doctrine itself, but with how it is sometimes applied—or misapplied—in ways that functionally diminish women’s voices, contributions, and callings in the broader life of the church. To make this conversation about ordination is to miss the point.
Too often, in our effort to be clear about what we don’t do, we fall off the donkey on the other side. We hedge the pastoral office with such rigidity that we end up discouraging women from:
Teaching and writing theologically
Serving in leadership and administrative roles
Using their wisdom and gifts in congregational decision-making
Participating in meaningful ways on boards and councils
And in some places, even voting in the life of the congregation
I don’t believe this trajectory was the intent of our confessions, nor is it faithful to our theology of vocation, the priesthood of all believers, or the rich variety of spiritual gifts the Spirit gives.
When I spoke to President Harrison at our recent district convention, I was encouraged to hear his own desire to see women thriving in the church’s mission. He affirmed his support for women serving according to the Spirit’s gifting and reminded us of his advocacy for deaconess education in our system schools. That gave me confidence to speak more freely about the importance of honoring women’s gifts in every area of church life that does not fall within the pastoral office.
So my words are not a critique of our synod’s position on ordination. Rather, they are a call to reflect deeply on how we honor the women among us—as image-bearers of God, as baptized members of the Body of Christ, and as co-workers in the mission field we all share.
I’ve seen firsthand the fruitfulness that comes when women are trusted to lead ministries, teach classes, offer care, shape policy, and build bridges across generations and communities. To ignore or diminish these contributions would not be faithful—it would be foolish.
Let’s encourage our daughters and sisters in Christ to grow into whatever roles God has gifted them for—and let’s do so with joy, not suspicion. Because the Spirit is still pouring out gifts on all flesh, and the church is healthiest when all its members are free to serve.
I’m grateful to be part of a church body where these conversations can happen in faith, humility, and hope.
Feminism and liberalism have destroyed the LCMS, it just keeps drifting leftward.
It's why many of us young men have had enough and are seeking other denominations that aren't bowing to the culture, we want traditional values and hierarchy, women should be homemakers and not in the workforce at all. They aren't supposed to be managers and decision makers playing girlboss.
“I’m grateful to be part of a church body where these conversations can happen in faith, humility, and hope.” …if you’re not a woman. When women try to talk about these things, we’re always under suspicion that we’re trying to usurp the Office. Or are secretly raging feminists who balk over the entire concept of patriarchy. Or are just hormonal, emotional wussies who should just shut up and let the menfolk talk (about women’s roles). Seriously. Pastors write journal articles, give interviews, and even have “conferences” entirely on this very subject. A woman (who is not on the “approved list of female CPH writers) so much as writes a book, an article, or a Portals of Prayer devotion…get out the pitchforks!