Broad complementarianism

What it means

Broad complementarians agree that the office of pastor or elder is reserved for qualified men. They differ from stricter complementarians in reading 1 Timothy 2:12 as a restriction on the authoritative teaching tied to the elder's office, not on every act of teaching. So a woman might preach on a Sunday, or teach a mixed adult class, so long as the elders authorize it and remain responsible for what is taught.

Supporters point to Priscilla helping Apollos understand the way of God more accurately, and to women who prophesied in the early church. Critics answer that preaching to the gathered church is the very teaching Paul has in view, and that separating the act of preaching from the authority of the office makes the restriction hard to apply. They also note that the practice tends to move a church, over time, toward opening the office itself.

The site shows this as a distinct position because churches that hold it often describe themselves simply as "complementarian", and members deserve to know the practice.

In Scripture

• 1 Timothy 2:11-12

  1 Timothy 2:11-12

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  Paul restricts women from teaching or exercising authority over men; the debate is over how widely 'teach' applies.

• Acts 18:26

  Acts 18:26

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  Priscilla and Aquila together explained the way of God more accurately to Apollos, privately.

• 1 Corinthians 11:5

  1 Corinthians 11:5

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  Women prayed and prophesied in the church at Corinth, under a sign of submission.

• 1 Timothy 3:2

  1 Timothy 3:2

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  The overseer must be able to teach, tying authoritative teaching to the office.