5 theologically conservative denominations that allow women to serve as pastors

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, June 18, 2023

Assemblies of God, USA

George O. Wood, chairman of the Assemblies of God Church, prays with Spirit-filled participants at the opening night of the Empowered21 Congress in Jerusalem, Israel, on May 20, 2015. | The Christian Post/Leonardo Blair

The largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States, the Assemblies of God USA, has been ordaining women to ministry since it was officially launched in 1914.

According to a position paper approved in 2010 titled “The Role of Women in Ministry,” the Assemblies of God noted that, from their beginnings, “spiritual gifting has been evident in the ministries of many outstanding women who pioneered and directed a wide spectrum of ministries.”

“Courageous women served on mission frontiers at home and abroad as missionaries, evangelists, church planters, pastors, educators, and in other roles,” stated the paper.

“The Bible repeatedly affirms that God pours out His Spirit upon both men and women and thereby gifts both sexes for ministry in His Church. Therefore, we must continue to affirm the gifts of women in ministry and spiritual leadership.”

In April 2018, the Assemblies leadership elected Pastor Donna L. Barrett, who had previously served on the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God, as their first female general secretary for their General Council.