Protestant Denominations Allowing Women to Be Ordained

Women have been playing significant roles in various Christian denominations for decades. This article explores which Protestant denominations allow women to be ordained as ministers or priests.

Overview of Protestant Denominations Allowing Women Ordination

Quantitatively speaking, the majority of Protestant denominations in the United States have ordained women, and they have done so for many decades. This includes several major and minor denominations such as Lutheran, Methodist, Pentecostal, and others. Women are often seen as equals in these churches, fulfilling leadership roles that they have been allowed to play for years.

Mainline Protestant Denominations in the USA

Several of the largest and most prominent Protestant denominations in the United States have embraced women's ordination. These include:

Evanglican Lutheran Church in America - A denomination within the Lutheran tradition, having ordained women ministers for some time. North American Lutheran Church - Another Lutheran denomination that allows women ministers. Episcopal Church - Known for its inclusive approach, the Episcopal Church has ordained women as priests for decades. Anglican Church in North America - Another denomination with a long-standing tradition of women's ordination. United Methodist Church - One of the largest Protestant denominations, the United Methodist Church ordains women ministers. Presbyterian Church USA - A significant denomination that has been ordaining women for years. United Church of Christ - Another denomination that welcomes women ministers. Reformed Church in America - Allows women to be ordained, reflecting a progressive stance on women's roles in the church. American Baptist Convention - An inclusive denomination that ordains women ministers. Disciples of Christ - This denomination has a history of ordaining women. Moravian Church - Allows women to be ordained, reflecting its progressive stance. Church of the Brethren - Another denomination that includes women in pastoral roles.

Pentecostal Denominations

Many Pentecostal denominations also allow women to be ordained. For example:

Assemblies of God - A well-known Pentecostal denomination that ordains women. Foursquare Church - Another prominent Pentecostal denomination that allows women to be ordained.

Unitarian Universalist Association

It's worth noting that the Unitarian Universalist Association, which is not a church but more of a post-Christian movement with Christian roots, also ordains women ministers. This demonstrates a broader trend of inclusivity in many Protestant movements.

Exceptions and Conservative Denominations

While the majority of Protestant denominations in the United States ordain women, there are exceptions. Some Lutheran denominations and certain conservative "Evangelical" denominations still do not allow women to be ordained.

Conservative Lutheran Denominations

Certain conservative Lutheran denominations, such as the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church, do not allow women to be ordained. Another example is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which has divided views on this issue. Some parts of the church ordain women, while others do not.

Conservative Evangelical Denominations

There are also some conservative Evangelical denominations that do not ordain women. These include:

Independent Baptist Churches - While some independent Baptist churches in the United States do ordain women, many others do not. These churches are often direct transplants from the Southern Baptist Convention in the US. Southern Baptist Convention - The largest Protestant denomination in the United States still does not allow women ordination, maintaining a traditional stance on these issues.

Conclusion

While a majority of Protestant denominations allow women to be ordained as ministers or priests, some exceptions exist, particularly within certain conservative Lutheran and Evangelical denominations. It's important for individuals to do their own research and explore the specific views of each denomination in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are all denominations inclusive towards women in their churches? - No, while many denominations have embraced women's ordination, some conservative groups still hold traditional views. Do all Baptist churches in Australia ordain women? - Most Baptist churches in Australia have ordained women for over two decades, but not all would appoint a woman as a pastor. What are some notable conservative Lutheran and Evangelical denominations? - Examples include the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church and some independent Baptist churches, which do not ordain women.