We honor both men and women as image bearers of God. While this may seem obvious to many, we do not want it to go unstated that Scripture clearly teaches that all people, male and female, are created in the image of God and are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7, 18-25; Psalm 139)
We honor both men and women who are children of God. All believers in Christ have been adopted into the family of God and are therefore brothers and sisters together, with God as our Father. As such, we encourage all Christian men to treat women as sisters in Christ, and, even when interacting with those who are not yet believers, to speak to and about women with respect, dignity and care. We are called to display a sacrificial love that embodies the love of Christ. (Romans 8:12-17; Ephesians 1:3-14)
We celebrate God’s unique and complementary design of men and women. While men and women are created with equal value, God has designed them to complement one another in distinct ways. When God created the first man, He declared that it was not good for him to be alone, so He created woman as a suitable helper for him. (Genesis 2:18) This role is not subservient but essential. The Hebrew word translated “helper” is also used elsewhere in Scripture to describe the Lord as our helper. Certainly, we would not consider God subservient because He helps His people. Rather, His help demonstrates His strength and provision.
We do not see that particular spiritual gifts are restricted to either men or women in Scripture. (1 Corinthians 12:1-31) However, we do see that Scripture reserves the office of elder/pastor for qualified men. Scripture requires this role to be held by qualified men who demonstrate upright behavior and righteous obedience. This conviction does not diminish the vital role of women in other areas of service and leadership within the church. Rather, it reflects our understanding of the specific responsibilities entrusted to those who are elder-qualified including the authoritative teaching and preaching of God’s Word (1 Timothy 2:12) and the shepherding care and oversight of the whole congregation. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-4) In this way, the pastoral office is intended to reflect Christ’s relationship to His church. Through humble, sacrificial, and servant-hearted leadership, pastors model Christ’s care for His bride and point God’s people to their ultimate Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
We rejoice in the good gifts women provide in the family, in the church, in the community, and throughout the world. Because women receive the same Holy Spirit, bear the same fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-24), receive the same spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-31) and the same Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), we believe women can and should participate in a wide variety of ministries, including teaching, singing, praying, giving, serving, discipling, and counseling. Additionally, we utilize the Women’s Advisory Council to meet particular needs of women within our congregation. (Romans 16:1-16; Acts 16:11-15; Titus 2:3-5)
We are saddened by the rejection women sometimes feel in the church. While we understand the importance of clearly articulating our beliefs as both a denomination and, even more importantly, as a local congregation, we believe the Baptist Faith and Message has already expressed these convictions well. Continued debate on these matters has, at times, brought unnecessary disharmony among churches and discouragement among fellow believers. It is our prayer that the women of Colonial Heights would not feel rejected or marginalized, but rather supported, encouraged, and equipped to serve Christ and make disciples as we are all called to do.
Furthermore, we are heartbroken for those who have been harmed by individuals in church leadership. Those women who have experienced such trauma deserve gentle care and support from our church family. While we know that both men and women, boys and girls, have been harmed by church leaders throughout church history, we particularly grieve both the sin of the perpetrators and the sin of those who concealed, excused, or enabled such sin. May the Lord protect Colonial Heights from experiencing such failure and pain. May the Lord reveal any sinful way within us so that we might repent, walk in humility, and continually be renewed through the grace of Christ Jesus. (Psalm 51; Psalm 139:23-24)
In conclusion, we rejoice in God’s good creation and celebrate both the shared dignity and the unique distinctions of men and women. May Colonial Heights Baptist Church never waver in our convictions found in Scripture but instead boldly press forward as, together, we glorify God by making disciples of all nations.
