Question:
Can a female perform the role of a pastor?

Answer:
Yes. The Scriptural meaning of the gift of the pastor does not necessarily mean public speaking. It was more the one-on-one word of encouragement and exhortation as a shepherd of sheep. A pastor is a person who watches for our souls, with such concern as if they would have to give account to God for us (Hebrews 13:17). Shepherds often have to get down on their knees to care for the sheep, and there is much prayer needed in caring for the Lord’s people. A woman can do all these things that a pastor does. The
saints are told to “know” them (pastors) who care for God’s people (1 Thessalonians 5:12), and those who feed the church of God that He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). We need spiritual food daily from the Word of God. There is so much junk food that we need to avoid if we are going to be healthy Christians.
The Lord is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). We are taught to cast all our care upon Him for He careth for you (1 Peter 5:7). He is the example for the pastor or elder who is “among” (not over) the flock of God. As Christ laid down His life, so we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren by feeding (or tending) God’s precious people (1 John 3:16).We should not look down our noses at men who are appointed pastors of churches. Many of these pastors are saved, and we are thankful for all they do with the Lord’s strength. We do not hate the pastors, but the Lord says that He “hates” the deeds and doctrine of those who set themselves over and conquer the Lord’s people, taking a place that only the Lord should have over His people. (In Revelation 2:6, 15, the word “Nicolaitanes” means conquerors of the people, or clergy over the laity.) We respect and pray for the so-called pastors who have missed these important principles of God’s Word, but we would dishonor our Lord if we would go along with them.