Mars Hill, a Christian radio network based in Syracuse, New York, won't accept paid advertising for an upcoming Christian crusade in Syracuse because a female pastor is participating.
"We can't comfortably promote women in the role of pastor," said Wayne Taylor, the general manager.
Mars Hill's nine-member, all-male board of directors voted unanimously on May 22 to accept an interpretation of Scripture that prohibits women from serving as church elders or pastors. That means the Syracuse-based network of four stations will not advertise or promote the two-day City Wide Crusade, which features a June 8 appearance by televangelist Pastor Paula White.
"It's a doctrinal issue," Taylor said. "It's not about women preaching. It has to do with a woman taking on a pastor's role."
Some Christians say literal interpretations of the Bible describe specific roles for men and women. "We know it's not going to be popular," Taylor said of the board's decision. "The word of God is what we're taught."
Bishop Robert Jones, founder of Syracuse's Apostolic Church of Christ, the church whose 1970s neighborhood revival developed into the City Wide Crusade, disagrees with Taylor's interpretation.
"I have no problem with women pastors," Jones said.
White and her husband, Randy White, are co-pastors of Without Walls Church in Tampa, Fla. Neither White nor her publicist was available for comment Tuesday.