She-Preachers, Bossy Women, and Children of the Devil: Women Ministers in the Baptist Tradition, 1609–2012

Abstract

For four hundred years, Baptist women have been central to the growth of their churches, the upkeep of their buildings, the funding of their programs, and the theological education of their children. Yet, during most of those four hundred years, women did not hold formal leadership positions in Baptist churches. They were not given official titles or paid salaries. Only in the last fifty years or so have significant numbers of Baptist women been ordained either as deacons or as ministers. Despite the lack of recognition and despite opposition, Baptist women have served, led, and ministered from the earliest days of the history of the Baptist faith. This article provides a chronological timeline of the history of Baptist women's service and ministries from the early seventeenth century until the early twenty-first century. Included is a tracing of known “first” ordinations of women both here in the United States within six Baptist denominational bodies and by Baptist denominations in nine countries around the world. Other earlier ordinations may have taken place, and as more research is done in this field, other ordinations surely will be discovered and documented. The article also includes available information about the number of Baptist women who have been ordained or who are currently serving as pastors.