Can Women Serve as Pastors in the Church of the Nazarene? Absolutely.

Nazarene journal

June 8, 2025
Nazarene Journal

If you’ve ever asked whether women can serve as pastors or leaders in the Church of the Nazarene, the answer is not only a “yes”—it’s a deeply rooted “yes.” The Church of the Nazarene has long affirmed, empowered, and celebrated the leadership of women in ministry, both in the pulpit and beyond.

A Legacy of Ordained Women

From its inception, the Church of the Nazarene has stood apart in its treatment of women in ministry. Unlike many Christian denominations that struggled to grant women basic participation rights, the early Nazarene movement opened the door wide. When the denomination formally came together in 1907 and 1908, each of the merging groups already included ordained women in their ranks.

These were not token appointments. They were trailblazing women of vision, passion, and courage:

Anna S. Hanscomb, founder of the Nazarene church in Malden, Massachusetts, was ordained as early as 1892.
Martha Curry, another pioneering voice, was ordained in 1902 and became a respected preacher in the East.
In the South, Mary Lee Cagle and Elliott J. Sheeks were ordained in 1899 by the New Testament Church of Christ, alongside advocates like Annie May Fisher, who boldly published Woman’s Right to Preach in 1903.
On the West Coast, Elsie Wallace was ordained in 1902 by Phineas Bresee himself, worshipping out of her home in Spokane, Washington.

By the end of 1908, women made up nearly 14% of all ordained clergy in the Church of the Nazarene—and with 95 active deaconesses serving, women held 28% of all ministry roles. This is no accident. It was a defining commitment: women and men, called equally by God, serving side-by-side.

Through the Decades: A Story of Resilience and Renewal

Over the decades, the number of women in ministry roles has ebbed and flowed. The 1950s saw a peak, with nearly 200 Nazarene congregations led by women in the United States. The following decades brought challenges and declines, particularly in the 1960s and early 1980s. Yet the 1990s ushered in a renewed rise in women answering the call—and being affirmed in it.

Today, the Church of the Nazarene continues to be shaped and led by strong women leaders:

Rev. Bessie Tshambe pastored the largest Nazarene church in Africa, located in Maputo, Mozambique. Her son, Dr. Filimao Chambo, now serves as a General Superintendent.
Lucia Carmen Garcia de Costa planted over 30 churches in Argentina, all while earning a doctorate, teaching, and editing church publications.
Agnes White Diffee led Little Rock First Church to become the largest Nazarene congregation in the 1930s and 1940s.

General Superintendents: Women at the Top

Perhaps most notably, the Church of the Nazarene has not only allowed women to lead congregations but has elevated them to the very top of denominational leadership:

Dr. Nina Gunter became the first female General Superintendent—a historic moment for the church.
Dr. Carla Sunberg, another widely respected voice, currently serves in that same global leadership role.

Women have also served as district superintendents across the globe—from Canada to Central Asia, and from India to the Caribbean. Their leadership continues to expand, both in number and in influence.

The Nazarene Position: Rooted in Theology and Conviction

This commitment is not merely a product of social progress. It is theological. It is missional. It is biblical.

The Church of the Nazarene affirms that God calls both women and men to preach, teach, lead, and serve. That calling is not limited by gender but is empowered by the Holy Spirit for the sake of the Kingdom. The denomination’s Manual and history make this clear: leadership is based on gifting, character, and calling—not on gender.

So, Can Women Be Pastors?

In the Church of the Nazarene, they always have been—and they still are.

Whether serving in local churches, planting new congregations, leading districts, or shaping global vision at the highest levels, women in the Church of the Nazarene are living out their God-given calling.

If you’re a woman who feels called to ministry, know this: the Church of the Nazarene sees you, supports you, and stands with you.

To learn more, speak with your local church leaders or visit the official Nazarene website.

This article reflects historical and theological positions affirmed by the Church of the Nazarene. As always, we encourage readers to verify details through the Manual and official denominational resources.

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