The Assembly approved ______ to be licensed to preach in 1909.

• A. women
• B. men
• C. laypersons
• D. youth

Answer: (A)

In 1909 the Assembly formalized a pathway for women to exercise preaching gifts within the Church of God. This reflects a movement-wide emphasis on spiritual gifts being available to all believers and a willingness to recognize and authorize capable women to share in pastoral and exhorting roles under church oversight. Licensing to preach, rather than full ordination, provided a clear, formal avenue for women to fulfill preaching responsibilities while maintaining existing structures of governance. The policy change centers on women's ministry specifically, rather than altering expectations for men, lay members, or youth, whose ministry roles at the time were understood within different guidelines.