The Christian and Missionary Alliance (CMA), a denomination of over 2,000 churches with a statement of faith that aligns with the majority of Evangelical Christianity, has voted to allow women to serve in pastoral roles.
The historic vote was part of CMA’s 2023 General Council in Spokane, Washington, last week. Over 60% of delegates at the General Council approved updating the CMA Statement of Faith to reflect that, at the discretion of local church leadership, official workers, whether male or female, may use the title of “pastor” or “reverend” for specific ministry roles.
According to the Christian Post, The change means that females may be ordained for pastoral roles with the exception of senior/lead pastor roles, which require male leadership.
CMA Director for Media Relations Peter Burgo said the main reasons for the statement rewrite were to “refresh the language to make it more readable and relevant to future generations” and “clarify through the updated language that, in this era of ambiguity regarding gender, God created male and female.”
Before the vote, only male workers were eligible for ordination while female workers were eligible for consecration, Burgo told The Christian Post.
“Since both processes required the same theological and spiritual qualifications, it was voted by accredited delegates at Alliance General Council 2023 that all workers — male and female — who meet these stated qualifications for ministry shall be considered ‘Ordained and Consecrated,'” he wrote via email.
Burgo acknowledged the “varying views” on the topic of women in spiritual leadership held by U.S. Alliance churches, noting that while some churches have been planted by women in positions of leadership, other churches still hold fast to a “strict complementarian position.”
“Rather than dictate how all churches must align on these issues, General Council passed resolutions that give local church elder and governing boards more latitude in determining the best course of action for their congregations and ministries,” he added.
“We believe that because of this freedom, our movement will remain strong and united for generations to come.” In a video blog last month, U.S. Alliance President John Stumbo said, “I believe we’re making [the CMA Statement of Faith] more understandable to this generation and strengthening some weaknesses from the past.”
“We’re passing on something stronger for our next generation of licensing, ordination, consecration, and membership within The Christian and Missionary Alliance family.”
