But some are complete bunk. There are way too many pastors giving up their pastoral duties over legalistic fears. You cannot “Refer” the sheep. Come on. Too many single women, divorced/abandoned mothers, widows, etc… need male leadership from the church. You can’t just give up your responsibility.

But the worst of the list is #9 – “Thou shalt make your co-worker your protective ally” — That is total role reversal. I’ve been in a church where the elders and pastors wives were like guard dogs. The elders are supposed to be the ones protecting the sheep from the wolves. the wives have no qualifications or authority. They’ve never been to seminary and not ordained. Give me a break. I’ve seen poor, oppressed, lonely, desparate women destroyed by other women in the church out of fear and misunderstanding — in the name of “protecting” the leadership. NO. The leadership should be protecting them.

Sorry if this sounds angry. I don’t know anything about your church. But I do now what I’ve witnessed in other churches that follow these practices and it is cruel and unfair to women.