"For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. "

~ Hebrews 7.12 NIV

Paul said that with a change of priesthood came the new covenant, replacing the old covenant law of sacrifices. A new priesthood brings in a new way of ministry, for that is what a priesthood does. What that implys requires more study. But it certainly is the foundation for the doctrine of a priesthood of all believers. Because all share as many members but of one Body. The coming of the Holy Spirit, with his gifts, is also dependant on this change of covenant.

"By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." John 7.39

It is clear to me that the priesthood of Aaron and the tribe of Levi, though instructive, is no longer in effect for ministry. A new way into the presence of God and ministry for the people was inaugurated in Christ.

Nor can OT challenges on the basis of Aaron's priesthood be compared with the present challenges to a male-only, ordained pastorate, as if those who do so are in rebellion against the appointed authority of God.

And I cannot see--help me if you will--how the ordination of women to the pastorate would undermine or attack the heavenly ministry of Christ, who is a high priest of a different order altogether. This is an important question because the elders (we do ordain women elders) are called under-shepherds of Christ, the head Shepherd.

"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away."

~ 1 Peter 5.1-4

If we ordain women as elder's (we have for some time), does this not apply to them, that they like the men are shepherds under (by the authority of) the Chief Shepherd?

There is a question of whether or not our doctrine of ordination, as it is practiced now, is in conflict with the ministrhy of the Spirit by restricting the pastoral gift to men only. At least, there is a question in my mind.

Our understanding of ordination is tightly linked with church order and by extension, with authority to serve the body in Christ name.

Our ordination of women as local elders is into a pastoral role, for that is the meaning of elder as taught by Paul. What we have in effect created is a two-teir system of pastors...men who are higher in authority...and women who are lower. Is that what God intends? Does Scripture teach a multi-tier pastoral role? And if so, what makes one less in rank than the other?

Logically, to me, refusing to ordain women, whether or not by divisions or the GC, undermines the spiritual authority of women elders or commissioned pastors. They do equal work but have second class status. It is too convenient to simply dismiss the issue of status as unimportant because we should all be seeking humility. Actually, Jesus said the first will be last and the last first. By treating women as the lesser we are in fact exalting them to a higher status! Yet it is a status we refuse to honor!

"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."

~ I Cor. 1.26-31