Ten Times When Ellen White Supported Women in Ministry

Ellen G. White, a co-founder and prophetic leader in the Adventist Church for some 70 years, made it no secret where she stood on the issue of women in ministry. See a glimpse of her thoughts in these 10 citations.

• “It is the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit of God that prepares workers, both men and women, to become pastors to the flock of God” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 322).
• “When God created Eve, He designed that she should possess neither inferiority nor superiority to the man, but that in all things she should be his equal” (Testimonies, 3:484).
• “There are women who should labor in the gospel ministry” (Manuscript 43a, 1898).
• “The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the truth” (Review and Herald, Jan. 2, 1879).
• “Study the Scriptures for further light on this point [women in ministry]. Women were among Christ’s devoted followers in the days of His ministry, and Paul makes mention of certain women who were helpers together with him in the gospel (see Phil. 4:2-3)” (Letter 142, 1909; Manuscript Releases, Vol. 12, pp. 166-167, emphasis added).
• "When God specially calls your wife to the work of teaching the truth, then should you lean to her counsel and advice, and confide in her instructions. God may give you both, as possessing an equal interest in and devotion to the work, equal qualifications to act a prominent part in the most solemn work of saving souls (Testimonies for the Church, 1:710).
• “Young men and young women who should be engaged in the ministry, in Bible work, and in the canvassing work should not be bound down to mechanical employment. ... Some will be trained to enter the field as missionary nurses, some as canvassers, and some as gospel ministers” (Testimonies for the Church, 8:229-230).
• “God wants us all to have common sense and He wants us to reason from common sense. Circumstances alter conditions. Circumstances change the relation of things” (Selected Messages, Vol. 3, p 217).
• “Christ, not the minister, is the head of the church” (The Signs of the Times, Jan. 27, 1890).
• “We cannot then take a position that the unity of the church consists in viewing every text of Scripture in the very same light. The church may pass resolution upon resolution to put down all disagreement of opinions, but we cannot force the mind and will, and thus root out disagreement” (Manuscript Releases, Vol. 11, p. 266).

About Ellen White

Ellen White, co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, was a wife, mother and gifted orator who lived most of her life during the nineteenth century (1827-1915). Through her writings, she is still making a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world today. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings cover a broad range of subjects, including religion, education, social relationships, evangelism, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, and management. Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Mrs. White was more than a gifted writer; they believe she was appointed by God as a special messenger to draw the world's attention to the Holy Scriptures and help prepare people for Christ's second advent. From the time she was 17 years old until she died 70 years later, God gave her approximately 2,000 visions and dreams.

Today there are more than 18 million Seventh-day Adventists around the world who continue to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and His message of hope through their work in churches, schools, hospitals, communication, media, community services and many other ministries.

Read more about Ellen White and find her writings at whiteestate.org.