American Protestant pastors are sharply divided over having women in church leadership roles.
A Lifeway Research survey found that 55% supported a woman being a senior pastor at their church.
94% of Methodists and 78% of Pentecostal and Presbyterian pastors were strongly in favour.
But only 14% of Baptist pastors agreed, while 44% of Evangelicals were in support.
Christian Headlines reports the issue of women serving as deacons found slightly more agreement.
Lifeway executive director Scott McConnell explained that the issue was more a question of biblical interpretation than opinion.
He says in the Apostle Paul’s letters, he gives instructions to churches regarding these specific roles, but Protestant churches disagree on his intent.
