Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to Glenn Mollette’s opinion in The Standard, June 17, 2026, regarding women serving as elders or pastors or overseers in the church. Based on express applicable Scripture, what Glenn states is erroneous. Galatians 3:26-29 which he references sets forth the oneness and value of all who by faith are born again of the Holy Spirit who become one in the family of God in Christ. It does not discuss church leadership.
However, other Scriptures including I Timothy 2 and 3, Tutus 1:1-9, and Acts 6:1-7 expressly set forth that the preachers, teachers, elders, overseers, and deacons should be men.
The importance of obeying God’s commandments is clearly stated in many Scriptures including John 14:15, 21, 23-24; John 15:12, 14, 16-17; I John 2:3-4.
When we are born again of the Holy Spirit as Jesus stated in John 3:1-8, we will therewith manifest (exhibit) the fruit of the Spirit as he stated in Matthew 7:13-29 and which is stated in Galatian 5:13-26.
When people love God which is not just words but obedience with blessings, they will love others. When this is manifested in the churches, with people who obey, gather, love and share the good news, then the church will grow with those who are in oneness with the Father God, Jesus the Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Richard L. Basinger
