I found something that I want to save for future reference regarding women in church leadership. It is something that was shared around on social media and no one seems to know who originally complied it, except that it comes from someone with the Foursquare denomination in celebrating their support of women in ministry.
I have written on this topic in earlier posts at 1 Corinthians 14 and at 1 Timothy 2:12 and Women Teaching? The subject of women in church leadership is complicated by today’s church structure of 501-C3’s and ordination implications for IRS employment recognition. While God’s stated ideal may be male headship, sin has simply wimped down masculinity requiring more women to step into church leadership.
This is a subject that I tend to visit frequently, so here I wish to save the following bulleted list for future reference. The title of this bulleted list is What the Bible has to say about women (just a few selected texts):
• They bear God’s image (Gen 1:27)
• They speak God’s name (Gen 16:21)
• They protect God’s leaders (Ex 2:2)
• They save God’s servants (Josh 2:15)
• They lead God’s people in worship (Ex 15:20-21)
• They prophesy to God’s people (Ex 15:20; Judg 4:4; Lk 2:36-38; Acts 2:17)
• They deliver/judge God’s people (Judg 4:4)
• They kill tyrants (Judg 4:21)
• They write & sing God’s praises (Judg 5:1-31)
• They receive God’s promises & answered prayers (1 Sam 1:16-17)
• They raise kings (2 Sam 12:24)
• They teach wisdom to kings (Prov 31:1)
• They are clothed with strength & dignity (Prov 31:25)
• They prophesy & serve in the temple (Lk 2:36-38)
• They exercise great faith (1 Kgs 17:15; Lk 1:38)
• They recognize the King (Lk 1:43)
• They are filled with the Spirit (Lk 1:41)
• They magnify the Lord (Lk 1:46-55)
• They experience redemption (Lk 7:48)
• They set an example for how to be devoted to Jesus (Matt 26:6-13)
• They serve & support Jesus (Lk 8:2-3)
• They witness & proclaim the resurrection (Matt 28:5-7)
• They make disciples (Matt 28:19-20)
• They instruct preachers (Acts 18:26)
• They are co-workers of the apostles & servants of the church (Rom 16:1-3)
• They mentor pastors (2 Tim 1:5, 3:15)
• They disciple the next generation (Titus 2:1-5)
• They are the mothers and sisters of the church (1 Tim 5:2)
• They are equal in Christ (Gal 3:28)
• They are ‘precious partners’ (1 Pet 3:7)
• They are co-heirs of grace (2 Pet 3:7)
• They host house churches (Col 4:15)
• They pray & prophesy in the church (1 Cor 11:5)
• They are leaders in the church (Philemon 1:2)
• They are worthy of honor (1 Pet 2:17)
• They are co-laborers in gospel work (Phil 4:3)
• They reign with Christ (Rev 5:10)
