The Hesitant Nature of Women in Ministry The assumed role of women in the context of religion has been a subject of much controversy within many denominations and congregations across the story. Even with the advancement of women in secular society, women are still prohibited from holding pastoral roles in various religious denominations. Women have long been seen as the backbone of the church community, but their important and significant contributions are made as secular leaders, not as religious leaders of the churches. In Baptist churches, for example, women serve as evangelists, missionaries, teachers and choir directors. Because of the significant and fundamental contributions that women have played in bringing people to Christ, one cannot help but question the old axiom that women should not take on pastoral roles within the Church. Additionally, I would argue that contrary to Baptist credibility, it is scripturally questionable and religiously ambiguous whether women should hold pastoral roles within the Church. During the Protestant Reformation, there was a body of Christians who were dissatisfied with the Church of England and therefore decided to secede from the Roman Catholic Church due to their dissatisfaction. These individuals became known as separatists. It is historically understood that the Baptist faith arose from this assembly. Although there have been various reforms and restructurings within the Baptist denomination, most seem to view the biblical text as truth. The Baptist Church has generally upheld the idea that God inspired the biblical text and therefore believes in the literal sense of it. Therefore, most Baptist congregations deny women eligibility for pastoral roles due to infallibility...... middle of article...... Author Ward Powers writes in First Corinthians: An exegetical and explanatory commentary: "If women are by divine ordination and forbidden to speak in church, teach or have authority over men in any capacity or under any circumstances, why Are there so many examples of women in positions of authority in the Bible? With this in mind, I have chosen to recognize the Bible as a source of wisdom, but I will not overlook its illegitimacy or perpetuate the idea that women are biblically prohibited from serving in pastoral roles. Women's ministry in the Church: which way forward? Australia: Mosaic Press. 1998. Powers, Ward. First Corinthians: An Exegetical and Explanatory CommentaryAustralia: Mosaic Press. 1991The Holy Bible: King James Version. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers 1983