“FEB Central adheres to the 1997 position statement on Gender in Pastoral Leadership and the Fellowship national bylaws. We are complementarian. What this means is that elders and lead pastors in FEB Central churches are to be biblically qualified men. FEB Central “churches are expected to call staff members “pastors” only when they qualify for the biblical office of pastor/elder/overseer.” In keeping with this, we ask our churches not to use the term “pastor” to refer to female staff. However, since our position statement “Implications” section uses the term “expected” when talking about titles of ministry staff it is not enforceable.
Currently there are 3 FEB Central churches, that I am aware of, that have female staff with a title that includes “pastor.” All three of these churches have male-only Senior Pastor and male-only Elders. Each of these churches have chosen to use the title “pastor” in areas such as worship, small groups, care or children’s ministry for different reasons. They are not “egalitarian” churches.
In FEB Central, this as a gradually declining practice, not a growing trend. We are a complementarian movement in belief and practice.”
Access the full letter: https://keepfebcomplementarian.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/A-Letter-from-the-Regional-Director-Tom-Haines_Oct-6-2025.pdf
