Complementarianism
A view held among orthodox Christians
The teaching that men and women are equal in worth before God but given different callings, so that the office of pastor or elder, and the preaching of the church's gathered worship, belong to qualified men.
Also called: complementarian, complementarians, strict complementarianism
What it means
Complementarians hold that God made man and woman equally in His image and equally heirs of the grace of life, yet gave them different and complementary callings. In the home the husband is to lead in self-giving love; in the church the office of pastor or elder, with its authority to teach and govern the whole congregation, is reserved for qualified men.
On this site, "complementarian" in the strict sense also means that women do not preach in the church's gathered worship. Women still serve in many ways: teaching other women and children, showing mercy, giving counsel, and using every gift the Spirit gives within those bounds.
Complementarians ground the view in creation rather than culture. Paul roots his instruction in the order of creation (1 Timothy 2:13), not in a local problem at Ephesus, and the office qualifications assume a man ("the husband of one wife"). This has been the settled practice of the church through almost all of its history, and both the Westminster and 1689 London Baptist confessions assume it.
In Scripture
God made the woman as a helper fit for the man: equal in nature, distinct in calling.
Paul does not permit a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man in the church, and grounds this in the order of creation.
The overseer must be 'the husband of one wife', assuming the office is held by men.
Headship runs through the relation of Christ to the Father, so order and equality belong together.
Older women are called to teach and train younger women, a real teaching ministry within the church.
Where it comes up
On this site: Women in leadership
Related terms
Broad complementarianismA view held among orthodox Christians
The view that the office of elder belongs to qualified men, but that women may preach or teach mixed audiences under the elders' oversight.
EgalitarianismA view held among orthodox Christians
The view that no office or ministry in the church is closed to women because of their sex, so women may serve as pastors and elders.
ElderHistoric orthodoxy
A qualified man called by the church to shepherd, teach, and govern a congregation; the New Testament also calls the office overseer, bishop, or pastor.