Reflecting on Women in Ministry
This is a reflection from Bishop Leah Gregory posted to her Facebook Page on June 13th, 2026
No I haven’t been living under a rock. Yes I know what the Southern Baptist did… I have just been too busy doing ministry to respond…. I have been Leading in an Annual Conference, preaching, and ordaining a class of ordinands… four of which were women. Fiery preachers… pastoring local churches… offering Christ…. And welcoming the stranger.
I have gotten some texts and emails about the Southern Baptist Convention’s stance regarding women in ministry and their vote this week. For many Methodist women who sense a call from God and serve faithfully in their local churches, this has been a painful moment. My heart goes out to those who are wrestling with disappointment, confusion, or grief.
At the same time, none of this is particularly new. Baptists and Methodists have long held differing convictions on a number of theological and ecclesial matters. We understand church governance differently. We approach the sacraments differently. We often emphasize different aspects of Christian life and discipleship. Yet for generations, in towns and cities across America, Baptists and Methodists have stood side by side in service to Christ. We have prayed together, fed the hungry together, responded to disasters together, and shared a common desire to see men, women, and children come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
As Methodists, we have historically understood that God calls both men and women into every area of ministry. We see evidence of that calling throughout Scripture and throughout the history of the Church. We have witnessed the fruit of faithful women who preach the gospel, plant churches, disciple believers, serve as elders, and lead with wisdom and humility. The question for us has never primarily been one of opportunity but of calling. When God calls a person whether male or female the Church should equip and send.
That does not require us to treat our Baptist brothers and sisters as enemies. They are not. They are fellow believers seeking to be faithful to their understanding of Scripture. We can disagree honestly while still recognizing one another as partners in the kingdom of God. Christian maturity allows us to hold deep convictions without surrendering charity.
For those women who find themselves wrestling with their future, I would simply offer this encouragement: do not allow the actions of one denomination to cause you to question the voice of God. If the Lord has called you, continue to seek Him, continue to pursue holiness, continue to develop your gifts, and continue to surround yourself with wise and faithful mentors.
And know this: there are churches and denominations where your gifts and graces will be welcomed, encouraged, and deployed for the sake of the gospel. In the Global Methodist Church, we believe that God’s call is not limited by gender. We are grateful for the women who serve as pastors, church planters, missionaries, presiding elders, conference leaders, and bishops. Their ministries have borne abundant fruit, and our church is stronger because of their faithfulness.
The kingdom of God is bigger than any one denomination. Christ remains on His throne. The gospel is still being proclaimed. The harvest is still plentiful. And there is still work to be done.
May we be people who hold our convictions firmly, love our neighbors deeply, and remain united around the One who has called us all—Jesus Christ our Lord.
If you want more information regarding the Biblical mandate of women in ministry, I would commend From Genesis to Junia by Preston Sprinkle.