You can't tell a woman who is called by God to teach that she

Charles Stanley, a shepherd of souls and a voice of clarity, once proclaimed: “You can’t tell a woman who is called by God to teach that she cannot teach the Word of God... So I think the distinction is that there’s a difference between the authority of a pastor and a Bible teacher.” In these words he wrestled with a question that has echoed through centuries of faith: who may rise to instruct, who may proclaim the Word, and by what authority? His answer was not a denial of order, but an affirmation of calling—that when God Himself places fire in the heart, no human voice has the right to extinguish it.

O listener, reflect upon the first truth in his words: when God calls, His summons is higher than all earthly decrees. To forbid a woman to teach when the Spirit has stirred her is to stand against the One who gave her the gift. For the authority of a Bible teacher does not rest in human institution, but in divine inspiration. A pastor may lead a flock in governance, but a teacher proclaims eternal truth, and that role cannot be silenced by prejudice or fear.

Consider the example of Priscilla in the early Church, who with her husband Aquila instructed Apollos, a man mighty in the Scriptures, teaching him more perfectly the way of Christ. The apostle Paul himself honored her labor. Was she less because she was a woman? Nay, the fire within her was acknowledged, for it came not from man but from God. This ancient story breathes life into Stanley’s words, showing that the call to teach has never been limited by gender, but has always been rooted in the Spirit’s gifts.

History offers further proof. Recall Catherine of Siena, who though not ordained, became a teacher to popes and kings, her words burning with such conviction that even rulers trembled before her counsel. Or recall Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles Wesley, who gathered her children and neighbors, instructing them in Scripture with a clarity that later gave rise to a movement. In each of these women, God placed authority not of office, but of voice, of wisdom, and of truth.

Stanley’s words also draw a careful line: the authority of a pastor and the work of a teacher are not the same. The pastor governs, leads the church, and carries the weight of shepherding souls. The teacher, however, enlightens, explains, and plants truth in the hearts of hearers. Both are vital, but they are distinct. To conflate them is to confuse order; to divide them properly is to allow the full richness of God’s gifts to flourish.

The meaning, then, is clear: when someone is called to teach, whether man or woman, the call is sacred and should not be resisted. Human tradition may build walls, but the Spirit of God tears them down. To deny a voice that has been kindled by heaven is to rob the people of wisdom that might have strengthened them. Stanley’s teaching is thus both humble and courageous, affirming order while also affirming freedom.

The lesson for you, children of tomorrow, is this: do not silence those whom God has called. Honor the teacher, regardless of whether they wear the title of pastor, priest, or elder. Listen for the truth in their words, for truth is not diminished by the vessel in which it is carried. And if you yourself feel the call to teach, do not shrink back in fear, nor let others dismiss you. Remember always that authority rests first in the One who sends, not in the voices that would restrain.

Therefore, live with discernment. Respect the roles that bring order to the church, but also respect the Spirit who gives gifts without partiality. Uphold both structure and freedom, knowing that both are needed. And above all, remember Stanley’s wisdom: the voice of a true teacher, whether man or woman, is a gift from God, and it is folly to forbid what heaven has chosen to bless. For in the end, the Word must be proclaimed, and those who are called to teach must rise and fulfill their holy task.