Pastor, Elder . . . Head of the Church?

"Pastor" This word appears only once in the New Testament and yet it is the basis for many of the complementarian views on women pastoring. For example, from the CARM website: "Being a pastor or an elder is to be in the place of authority." Why is this a problem? Because there is an assumption in this sentence. There is an assumption that a pastor is a place (or position) of authority. But in the one verse where this word appears, there is no assumption of authority. Interestingly enough, in the description which includes "pastor," the purpose of the pastor is to equip others for the work of ministry:

"And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ^until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13). Additionally, there isn't one office, pastor, but rather a group of offices, a group of people.

The assumption that a pastor is to head up, have authority over a local church is simply non-existent in scripture.

"His Name Is Wonderful"

I bet many of you have sung that beautiful song:

"His name is wonderful. His name is wonderful.
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord."

My wonderful adopted aunt, Audrey Mieir, wrote this beautiful hymn, a Christian song translated in many languages and sung by many different Christians.

Theirs was an egalitarian marriage. Married to Charles Mieir, one of two ordained brothers, Audrey was also an ordained Foursquare minister. And never did two people love each other more nor minister to each other (and others) more than these two gentle, unassuming people.

No one can tell me that she wasn't called of God nor disobedient to His Word.